Football Association and Government give the green light for a limited number of fans to return

Football fans across the area could be set to return to the terraces following an agreement between the Government and the Football Association.

Stamford's Northern Premier League campaign and the United Counties League season involving Deeping Rangers, Bourne Town and Blackstones has been on hold since the start of the national lockdown last month.

With the four clubs all in tier three following the Government-imposed restrictions after the end of lockdown, their matches had remained suspended as the quartet elected not to play without supporters.

But the Football Association has now received approval from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) for a limited return of home spectators to be permitted at clubs if they are situated in tier three areas.

An FA statement said: "We have worked continuously alongside the DCMS, Sports Grounds Safety Authority and leagues to gain approval and clubs competing in steps three to six of the National League System that are situated in tier three areas are now permitted to accommodate home spectators up to 15 per cent of their ground grading capacity in line with stage one of our respective guidelines.

"A limited return of home spectators up to 15 per cent of their ground grading capacity will also be permitted in the Buildbase FA Trophy if the fixture is between two 'non-elite' clubs in a tier three area.

"All fixtures in the Buildbase FA Trophy that involve an ‘elite club’ (clubs at steps one to two of the NLS) in a tier three area must remain behind closed doors in line with the UK Government’s return to ‘elite’ sport guidance.

"Prior to admitting spectators, clubs that are situated in tier three areas are strongly advised to iase with their respective Local Authority for agreement on capacity limits.

"It is extremely important that spectators remain in their household or social bubble in groups of six, do not mix with any other spectator groups, or travel between tiers to attend fixtures, as enforceable by law.

"If breaches of spectator limits or social distancing are reported, clubs and leagues may face returning to fixtures being held behind closed doors.

"Under UK Government guidelines, bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants in tier three areas must be closed, except to sell by takeaway or click-and-collect, and this remains the case for clubs with clubhouses in tier three areas."