Nottingham and the county of Nottinghamshire is to stay in tier 3 as the government has announced post-lockdown plans for the country from Wednesday 2^nd December and beyond.

What this means for sport is that no fans will be allowed at venues in elite sport until the county is downgraded to at least tier two so despite last week hearing good news of small numbers of spectators allowed to return very soon, football clubs like Nottingham Forest, Mansfield Town and Notts County will have a little while longer to wait yet.

In a brief statement Notts County Chief Executive Jason Turner said “While we are of course disappointed we’ll have to wait a little longer to play in front of our wonderful home supporters, public safety comes first and we respect the Government’s decision.”

“The National League have informed us that they will be conducting an internal meeting on Friday to discuss today’s developments and we look forward to hearing more details ahead of next Tuesday’s meeting of all member clubs, with confirmation expected that away supporters will not be permitted to travel between tiers.”

“Our supporters should rest assured that we will continue to plan for their return to Meadow Lane so we can act quickly when Nottingham’s tier three restrictions are lifted.”

The decision may also effect Non-League/Non-Elite football as Basford United, Carlton Town and Worksop Town amongst others could be forced to give up some of their major route of income should they be asked to carry on without proportion of fans at games, Basford United tweeting “The club will await clear guidance from the football authorities at the FA where this leaves non-elite football at this time and will make a statement when such is communicated in due course.” Restriction prior to lockdown was that people who live in tier three can still go to games in tier three although they cannot travel outside of tier three boundaries, and supporters from outside tier three cannot enter venues in tier three.

Elsewhere, Basketball resumed only recently with both Nottingham Hoods and Nottingham Wildcats asked to play behind closed doors whilst Beeston Hockey Club had their season halted by government restriction, although England Hockey are optimistic that a resumption is possible before the end of the year.

As of yet the Rugby Union Championship and Elite Ice Hockey League which involves both Nottingham Rugby and Nottingham Panthers, two major sporting competitions and two of our top teams that haven’t featured any play since March, with both competitions still uncertain of restarting in December as plans now are likely to be given another look in the new year.

*Main image @TAPattoPhoto the old market square in Nottingham has been quiet during lockdown.