Clock ticking on Stadium opening

Members of Parliament have written to the Sports Minister asking when clubs like York City will be able to reopen their grounds.

MPs letter to Sports Minister
Signatories

The MP’s highlighted the perilous position of many non league clubs finances.

Uncertainty – about when paying customers will be able to attend games – and in what numbers – is putting some clubs under threat of closure.

The MPs pointed to the imminent start of the pre-season “friendly” programme.

Although neither of the local MPs signed the 21st August letter, York Outer MP Julian Sturdy said he supported a more general plea made in a letter sent on 17th August and subsequently backed this up with an Email last Monday. There has been no word from York Central MP Rachel Maskell in whose constituency the present York City/York Knights ground is located.

Currently the expectation is that, when the National Leagues resume in October, around 30% of the seats may be available for supporters.

There is a particular problem for York City FC who will manage the new LNER community stadium at Monks Cross. Before they can take full occupation a “test” event involving 3000 spectators must take place. This would allow a safety certificate for the 8500 seater stadium to be issued.

There has been a suggestion – as a result of the health restrictions on capacity which are likely to apply for a few months at least – that certification for a smaller capacity might be possible.

There has been no word from the stadium owners – the York Council – about how and when this might be achieved.

There are 6 weeks to go until the start of the football season for clubs like York City

Earlier letter re smaller non league clubs
Signatories

When will LNER Community Stadium be completed?

Building work is still continuing at the site of the LNER Community Stadium at Monks Cross. It seems that it will be some time before all the buildings can be brought into use.

Community Stadium works till not completed

The main area of concern remains the stadium itself.  The authorities failed to stage the required test events before the lockdown led to a suspension of most work.

The test events – of varying capacities – are a prerequisite for the issue of a safety  certificate. Without a certificate the stadium can’t be commissioned.

It is something of a paradox that – because of social distancing regulations – initially only a proportion of the capacity would be used.  The (National League) football season is due to start at the beginning of October. That is only seven weeks away. Players will recommence training shortly and it is customary to stage friendly matches in the immediate run up to start of a season.

There is little clarify from the government at this stage about how social distancing might limit crowd numbers.

Some sports commentators have said that as few as 1 in 5 seats might be occupied.

LNER Community Stadium

Therein may be the rub for York City.

Social distancing is potentially much easier in an all seater stadium like the one at Monk Cross. If 20% of its 8512 seats were occupied then this would be enough to accommodate all season ticket holders plus a few more.

York City’s average attendance, during the last fully completed season (2018/19), was 2443.

 In the same year the York Knights Rugby Team attracted 2125.

If one in three seats could be occupied (essentially respecting a 1 metre social distancing guideline) the all regular supporters could be accommodated.

Some other teams in the National League North have announced plans to ground share at stadiums with a larger capacity to accommodate all who wish to attend.

Hopefully the Council and its partners have plans in place to quickly finish off the remaining building work and find a way to open the stadium albeit possibly with a reduced capacity.