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The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our football reform proposals with Rick Parry and others from the EFL on Friday (17th July 2020) via video link.

Non-league clubs will be buoyed by the findings of a survey which indicates more than three quarters of regular matchgoers intend on returning to the game straight away if it is able to kick-off this autumn, but there is still work to do ensuring fans feel safe within stadiums.

The Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) has published draft guidance to help sports grounds plan for social distancing when the Government permits the readmission of fans.

Over the next three weeks, one of the highlights of the non-league season will be taking place as the National League play-offs are contested. Richard Irving, the FSA’s community-owned clubs network manager, explains how some fan owned clubs are right in the mix…

This week MPs acknowledged the work that football fans and supporter groups had done in their communities during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Fan groups across the country have been looking at ways to raise money to support their club’s survival – we’ve already reported on stories from Exeter City and Grimsby Town.

Responding to the Wigan Athletic crisis, the EFL said this week that a “comprehensive reset” of financing the pyramid was needed to stop more clubs going to the wall.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the pan-European body that represents fans across the continent, have announced that they will be moving their summer network meeting online. 

Fan representatives from the Football Supporters’ Association women’s network – covering clubs playing in the FAWSL, FAWCL and FAWNL – took part in a fan forum with the FA on Monday 6th July.

The FSA have partnered with the Non-League Paper to gather the views of thousands of football fans across the country on how they believe football can safely return from its COVID-19 suspension with spectators in the stands. 

Almost £2.2m in grants is being made available by the Football Foundation to help non-league and community clubs get their facilities ready to host fans again.

FC United of Manchester have become the latest club to show what can be done during the COVID-19 pandemic, in partnership with the North Manchester Business Network and the City Council. 

Grimsby Town fans are the latest to provide financial aid to their club during the pandemic – putting over £100,000 into the club over recent weeks.

*Our latest newsletter may have mistakenly directed you to our June update – if you want information on August click here*

Forget Christmas – those with a nose for finance look forward to the release of Deloitte’s annual football report like no other day of the year. Ashley Brown, the FSA’s head of supporter engagement and governance, has been up since the early hours flicking through its pages. Here are his highlights…

UEFA has confirmed a whole host of changes to the football calendar aimed at completing this season’s European competitions before the end of August, as well as setting out dates for internationals and European games in 2020/21.

While some clubs have been heavily criticised by fans for their season ticket refund policy, there are examples of good practice which deserve a mention.

This morning supporter groups from across Europe, including the FSA, are outlining their demands to UEFA and national football authorities on the future of football after the pandemic – below is the letter in full arguing that supporters have to be at the heart of major consultation…

Leeds United Supporters’ Trust (LUST) has launched its #StayAway campaign with former players, NHS staff and notable Leeds United fans encouraging supporters to do their bit in the continued fight against COVID-19.

This week EFL clubs decided to curtail the League One and League Two seasons – with the final tables being decided on a points-per-game basis.