AS football fans across the country prepare to return to support “the beautiful game” under Covid-19 restrictions, Westbury United spoke to White Horse News about steps it has taken to encourage back the crowds.
“The FA introduced several layers to returning to football,” chairman Greg Coulson explained. “First we had to provide a Covid risk assessment, followed by two stages to return fans
“The first stage was to allow 150 fans into the ground to watch a match which we successfully achieved in a home friendly against local rivals Warminster Town FC – this allowed us as a club to move onto stage 2 which allows up to 300 capacity.
“Our first game at stage 2 will be the home FA Cup tie against Binfield FC on Tuesday 1st November. In reality we rarely trouble the 150 spectators mark, around 90-100 is our usual home crowd.”
The FA’s guidance on returning to the game was very comprehensive, Greg said.
“Here’s a few notes on the Covid restrictions we have in place and the journey we’ve taken to get fans back into the ground.
“With several PDFs and links off to various government websites, it was a steep learning curve for the Westbury United FC committee. We thought we had a good grasp of the basics but we felt that we didn’t want to merely “tick the box” when making the ground Covid compliant and a safe place to visit.”
The club called on local health and safety specialist, Steve Cox, from White Horse Safety Matters Limited. He trained some committee members to become Covid managers and to understand how to prevent the spread of the virus.
Greg said, “This has resulted in the installation of Perspex screens at the serving areas in the bar and the tea hut, a one-way system through the bar, a digital track and trace system, hand sanitiser points throughout the site and lots of posters to remind people to social distance and keep their hands clean – all with the aim to keep people safe and make sure that they are comfortable to come along and support the team.”
Pre-season results have continued to be mixed. A brilliant second half versus Warminster Town saw Westbury overturn a 0-1 half time deficit (Warminster’s Jack Miluk having scored a stunning goal) into a 4-2 win, with goals from Dan Price, Callum Demkiv, Will Thomson and Jordan Pinder.
There was then a midweek 0-1 defeat at Calne Town, which was a hastily arranged match after Wincanton Town cancelled on us. On Saturday 29th August another away defeat saw Dan Price score another header to equalise at Badshot Lea, before the hosts snatched a late winner.
The competitive season was due to start on Tuesday this week (1st September) with the home match in the FA Cup.
The Toolstation Western League season then begins on this Saturday, 5th September, away to Clevedon United, followed by a home midweek on Wednesday 9th versus Chipping Sodbury.”
Subsequently, Westbury United then proceed to play twice a week throughout September and October.
“It’s going to be a tough start,” said Greg, “but there are some highlights in that period, like a trip to the Isle of Wight on Saturday 19th September to face East Cowes Victoria FC in the FA Vase.”
