Hendon Football Club would like to add their weight to the growing movement on Social Media to lobby the FA and Department for Culture, Media and Sport to relax the requirements for spectators to attend pre-season matches.

Following our match at Bracknell on Saturday where we fully complied with the requirements set out by the FA and Bracknell Town in terms of attendance, we add our weight to the growing clamour to allow supporters to attend friendly matches at Non-League level with social distancing and safeguarding protocols in place.

Supporters may have seen a number of people at Bracknell’s ground on photos and the matchday highlights, however those present from Hendon Football Club were 2 directors, 1 club secretary, 1 match secretary, 2 kit men, 1 photographer, 1 to film the game and 1 providing social media updates. We fully complied with the requirements set down by both the FA and Bracknell Town as host club. Unfortunately, until we receive confirmation from the FA we are unable to admit supporters to games.

That said, we firmly believe that it is possible to host football at Step 3 with social distancing in place and firmly stand behind the position spearheaded by Dorking Wanderers and Concord Rangers. More than at any level, clubs in Non-League rely on matchday income and with at least one home friendly in the diary and the possibility of a home London Senior Cup semi-final, we urge the FA and DCMS to urgently review the current requirements to prevent any more clubs following the route that Droylsden and FC Romania have had to take in the past week.