FA CUP games were played across the country last week thanks to the initiative of many non-League clubs. Football finds a way to continue even as some aspects of its existence are being threatened more than ever.

The Morning Star was lucky enough to attend the two City of Liverpool FC (COLFC) games organised in compliance with the latest official guidance from the FA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport over the return of spectators to football. 

Despite the success of these games in paving the way for the safe return of fans, there were still doubts and a lack of clarity and understanding from the authorities ahead of the FA Cup first qualifying round game against Morpeth Town on Tuesday night.

New local restrictions stated: “We advise that you should not attend amateur or professional sporting events as a spectator in the areas affected. If you do attend, you must remain socially distanced and groups of no more than six.”

COLFC took the advice in the first sentence very seriously, but the inclusion of the second sentence meant this was a typically contradictory statement from the government.

It follows the pattern regularly seen during the pandemic, of serious public health guidance, followed up by a sketchy, superficial government message undermining it.

While stage two of the reintroduction of fans to games, which saw 397 spectators attend the Marske United fixture last weekend, was a success, and the club believe the mandatory wearing of face masks would increase supporters’ safety, they did not want to undermine the public health messages and also wanted to offer clarity where the government were unable to.

COLFC therefore reverted to stage one of the guidelines for the limited return of spectators.

“The club believes that this would offer spectators a safe environment,” read a club statement. 

“With attendance restricted to approximately 10 per cent of the stadium’s full capacity, distancing would be further reinforced.”

On the back of this, the club continues to release its own clear guidance to those attending games, which include the one-way system in the ground, hand sanitiser and temperature checks on entry, and now compulsory face masks.

Similar measures have since been taken by other clubs and organisations. The Durham FA and Northumberland FA recently released guidelines which reflected those drawn up by COLFC.

“Football is leading the way in trying to ensure all players, spectators, volunteers and their families are safe and that the game can be played at all levels,” read a statement from the Durham FA.

“Following the new Covid-19 regulations and advice issued in the north-east last week, Durham CFA and Northumberland FA have worked closely with their seven partner local authorities to strengthen the requirements and guidance around football and ensure we can continue to keep playing the sport we all love.”

The challenges faced at this level of football have been met thanks to the work of local organisations, the clubs and their volunteers, based on those original FA guidelines.

Football further up the pyramid faces its own challenges, and supporters of those clubs are yet again taking a back seat — they are not even taking a seat at all — in favour of TV companies.

Even before the pandemic, many fans were already priced out of games. In order to watch their team, fans are, given the loyal nature of football support, almost forced to subscribe to TV channels.

It may cost less than a month’s worth of match tickets, but it’s still a considerable chunk of a wage.

TV money, or clubs’ growing reliance on it, has given the TV companies an element of control over the game. Their remote control of football is even more evident when kick-off times are moved to suit them at the inconvenience of travelling fans. 

Numerous Wembley cup finals have been moved to later kick-offs in order to take up a prime-time TV slot at a disadvantage to fans who are simply unable to travel back home after the game has finished, also highlighting the country’s poor public transport service.

But top-level football will happily move its kick-off times so people, and pubs, in particular, will continue paying extortionate monthly fees to TV companies.

Watching football in pubs also encourages supporters to cram into small indoor spaces unnecessarily, potentially increasing the spread of coronavirus as they disperse.

Meanwhile, the British government have gone back on their decision to allow fans into large, open-air stadiums.

Even in the corridors and concourses of these facilities, it is much easier to organise the flow of people safely in and out of a large football stadium than a cramped pub.

It appears, as always, there is simply not the same will to accommodate football supporters as there is to accommodate TV companies.

And there is not the same will to support some clubs. Clubs like Macclesfield Town who were wound up earlier this month due to £500,000 worth of debts, shouldn’t cease to exist because of capitalism’s latest failure to deal with any kind of crisis.

But despite the struggles it faces, the game continues. Some of football’s badly run private companies may disappear, and they will sadly drag the names of 100-year-old clubs down with them, but the game will continue to be played.

From the professional games at the top level and the FA Cup, all the way down to small-sides games at locally run facilities, football is carrying on.

As a game that emerged in its organised form partly to promote physical and mental well-being, it is now more important than ever that it continues to do so, for players and spectators alike.