CITY of Liverpool FC will return to action in front of members and supporters next Tuesday, when they take on an Everton Academy side in a pre-season friendly at the Berry Street Garage Stadium.

The game will serve as a test event of sorts as non-League sides head into a new season where fans will be able to attend games under controlled circumstances going forward. 

It will be part of stage one of the FA’s guidance around the return to football for the National League System, so will be limited to 200 spectators.

Depending on the situation further up the leagues, this could lead to an increase in demand for tickets at this level, as fans seek out live games following months of football lockdown.

It’s for this reason there will need to be protocols in place, not just to ensure supporters can attend such events safely, but also with regards to the allocation of tickets if there is high demand.

As a community-owned club, City of Liverpool FC are able to use their membership schemes as a guide as to who will receive tickets, with members getting priority in these early stages.

Should this game against Everton pass without any problems, the club will then move on to stage two, as set out in those FA guidelines, where up to 400 spectators will be permitted to attend. 

This is more in line with the club’s average attendance from last season, which stood at 389 and should allow members, season ticket holders and the majority of regulars to attend.

It’s a big operation for many non-League clubs to get to grips with, not just around the allocation of tickets and the how these are sold, but also adhering to 15 or more pages of guidelines on the return of grassroots football, as well as a similar length document around the return to football throughout the National League System, on top of the usual admin.

A COLFC statement ahead of Tuesday’s game against Everton, reads: “It is vitally important that our club, and indeed all non-League clubs take this phase one seriously in an attempt to show the Department for digital, culture, media & sport that we can be trusted to operate match days in a safe and secure manner, in order that we can move on to phase two and a doubling of the crowd before, hopefully, restrictions can be lifted completely and we can all return to pre-lockdown conditions. For now we ask all members and supporters of COLFC to work with the club.”

In order to comply with NHS Track and Trace requirements, only the person who bought the ticket will be permitted to enter these games. On top of this, temperature checks will be taken on entry into the ground and entry will be refused if the reading is outside the normal range. Other measures, such as no cash at turnstiles and strict social distancing guidelines inside the ground will also be in place.

The 2020-21 season fixtures were released yesterday, and City of Liverpool’s first home game will be against Marske United on September 19. 

With a calendar now in place for the season, including 2020-21 FA Cup and FA Trophy games, it’s important that these early test games go without a hitch throughout the National League System, so clubs can welcome the return of competitive football with fans present.

The City of Liverpool membership window remains open until Monday, with a number of different packages available including the Purple Package which consists of a season ticket and a chance to win monthly prizes. 

Standard membership offers a vote at AGM and special meetings, and a chance to be involved in and shape the future of a club dedicated to inclusion and is owned by the supporters for the benefit of the community.

Membership packages are available online at cityofliverpoolfc.co.uk/memberships/, or by searching “colfc membership.”

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