Grassroots football matches set to resume on August 1 – but at the moment they’ve got to be behind closed doors

These include arriving at grounds already changed, socially distancing in the dugout or on the touchline and refrain from shouting at each other face to face.

Leagues have told clubs that at the moment all friendlies must be behind closed doors, until the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have approved a Football Association proposal.

But that goes AGAINST advice published on the FA’s own website, which states: ‘Supporters, parents, and other spectators should remain socially distanced whilst attending events.

‘Spectator groups must be restricted to discrete six-person gathering limits and spread out, in line with wider Government guidance, ensuring space for officials, coaches and substitutes.’

It would seem bizarre that non-league clubs could start playing friendlies on Saturday August 1 behind closed doors, when local cricket games have taken place for the last two weekends with spectators present and socially distancing.

These are the key points surrounding the return of grassroots football in less than a fortnight’s time:

Players and officials should sanitise hands before and after a game as well as scheduled breaks throughout a game or training session;Ball handling should be kept to a minimum with most contact via a boot and the ball disinfected in breaks of play;Goal celebrations should be avoided;Equipment should not be shared, and goalkeepers should ensure they disinfect their gloves regularly in breaks in training or matches and thoroughly afterwards. Where possible, coaches should only handle equipment in training;All participants must remain socially distanced during breaks in play, with spaced areas for equipment and refreshment storage for each individual including officials and substitutes. Coaching staff and substitutes, should, for example, spread out and avoid sharing a dug out or bench if social distancing cannot be observed. Players and officials should also observe social distancing during sin-bin instances.Where possible, players, coaches and officials should arrive changed and shower at home;Participants should follow best practice for travel including minimising use of public transport and walking or cycling if possible. People from a household or support bubble can travel together in a vehicle;Clubs should keep a record of attendees at a match or training session, including contact details, to support the NHS Test and Trace system.

The FA have also said that as of now clubs can start competitive training in larger groups - a maximum of 30 (including coaches).

The governing body are hopeful the 2020/21 grassroots seasons can begin in September.

Steps 1 and 2 - the National League and the South and North divisions - will start no earlier than September 5.

Steps 3 and 4 - locally, the Southern Premier League South and Southern League Division 1 South - will start no earlier than September 19.

And steps 5 and 6 - locally, the two divisions of the Wessex League - will also start no earlier than September 5.

All those dates are provisional on the DCMS approving the FA’s proposal to allow spectators into grounds.

The FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Trophy competitions are also being planned to be played in their entirety next season.

There had been reports that the earlier rounds of the FA Cup could be scrapped, but happily that is not the case.

The non-league season would begin with the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup on Tuesday, September 1.

Other dates:

FA Cup Preliminary Round: Saturday, September 12

FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round: Tuesday, September 22

FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round: Saturday, September 19

FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round: Saturday, October 10

FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round: Saturday, September 26

FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round: Saturday, October 17