So the PM has granted that supporters can return to venues to watch outdoor sports from December 2^nd onwards but not in tier three zones, which after lockdown in a fortnight’s time, Nottinghamshire will most probably still be in.

So nothing much changed? It means that some supporters and some sports with some clubs will be allowed to have attendances of up to 4,000 in tier one (or under) regions with tier two parts of the country allowed up to 2,000 fans but none in tier one at ‘elite level’ although you can still watch non-elite football for example outdoors with many non-league grounds still capping gates at below 400.

Fans of Nottingham Forest and Mansfield Town, Notts County too will be able to finally watch their teams play as soon as Nottinghamshire comes out of tier three level post lockdown, but those living in tier three regions, regardless of who you support, will not be able to attend games… Confused… Of course you are.

So if fans are ‘allowed’ to return to venues in elite sport, we await individual clubs and leagues responses for allowing this, whilst we wait, non-league football is set to ‘carry on’ as ‘new normal’ from Saturday 5^th December with Newark FC set to travel to Boldmere St Michaels in the FA Vase and Radford FC hosting Bewdley Town in the Buildbase sponsored competition’s second round proper. There will also be a full round of fixtures in the East Midlands Counties League.

The FA Trophy First Round has been scheduled for Tuesday 8^th September with Basford United hosting Rushall Olympic and on the same night a number of league games in the Northern Counties East League will include AFC Mansfield travelling to Bridlington in the Premier Division whilst Retford will host Emley in Division One.

Thereafter the non-league and non-elite football calendar is set to continue as normal with ‘other’ outdoor sports still to make a decision on ‘operation restart’ with the rugby union Championship for example hoping to kick off in the new year.

As ever we’ll keep you up to date with news and if anything changes we’ll soon let you know but for now stay alert, stay safe, stay confused, stay on your sofas and watch your team’s play from the comfort of your home.

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Field Mill the home of Mansfield has not allowed fans in since March.