The National League clubs voted this week to determine final 2019/20 League placings on an “Unweighted Points Per Game” basis and, subject to applicable Government guidance, to hold play-offs in all three divisions to complete the season. Our directors were unanimous that we should support this Resolution. Whilst there is no perfect alternative to playing out the season on the pitch, from a sporting perspective and wishing to see a consistent approach applied across the Leagues if possible, we believe that this is the fairest way to conclude this extraordinary season. Our congratulations go to Barrow on consequently being named Champions of the National League and to Wealdstone and King’s Lynn Town for topping the South and North Divisions respectively. We look forward to welcoming those two clubs to Gander Green Lane next season and await the outcome of the Play-Offs to see which clubs join them.

As mentioned previously, we have been exploring a number of options to stabilise and develop our position. So we were delighted to be able to confirm this week that our application to Sport England for support in coping with the Coronavirus has been successful and that we were awarded the sum of £10,000 from their Community Emergency Fund, money arising out of the National Lottery.

Having opened up our pitch last week for limited use by small groups, in line with Government guidance, we were pleased to see all of the groups complying with the rules that had been set out, giving us confidence to extend the level of permitted use to two simultaneous groups of no more than six people. This small change is particularly important for our academy, who need to be able to assess candidates ahead of offering student places for next season’s courses. 

We do not have a date yet for opening up the social facilities but have taken some small steps along the way. Our brewery, Heineken, has supplied outlets up and down the country with point of sale products to facilitate safe opening, such as signage and screens, all free of charge and we thank them for that. We have also freed up shelf space by selling stock that was fast approaching its sell by date to some of the club’s officials, and have also applied for consent to pour away gallons of old beer. Fortunately we had been quite prudent ahead of lockdown and were not left with too much of a surplus. 

Season Ticket sales for 20/21 are now heading towards 350, which is magnificent given the current constraints, and the directors would once again like to thank everyone for their excellent support. The Early Bird deal continues to the end of the month and buying your ticket at this time remains one of the best ways you can assist the club right now –www.suttonunited.net/season-tickets.

Stay Safe and please follow the Government’s rules and guidelines on social distancing and don’t forget to help others. 

#inittogether   #unitedwestand

Dave Farebrother

Chairman, Board of Directors