Local football clubs benefit from coronavirus cash

Shepshed Dynamo is one of eight local football clubs to receive thousands of pounds from the Premier League's Match Day Support Fund. 

The money will help clubs to  cover the increased costs of safety measures to allow players and supporters to return to the ground. 

Shepshed Dynamo will receive four thousand pounds. 

Quorn FC, Ingles FC, Barrow Town, Loughborouh Dynamo, Loughborough Foxes Women and Loughborough Students Womens were also successful and will receive the grant funding. 

The Matchday Support Fund was open to eligible National League System Clubs in Steps 1-6, the Welsh Premier League and women’s clubs in Tiers 1-5. Under current Government guidelines, fans can attend matches in limited numbers at Steps 3 and below of the National League System and at Tiers 3 and below of the Women’s Football Pyramid.

The grants help clubs to make necessary changes to satisfy the latest FA, Welsh FA and Government guidance, covering two key areas of the matchday experience:

Stadium – grants can be used to make the physical infrastructure changes required to reopen their stadia in line with the latest guidance. This includes conducting risk assessments and implementing measures, such as reducing capacity and creating capacity for socially distanced movement. 
 
Supporters – grants can also be used to help ensure supporters’ safe travel to and from stadia, as well as their attendance at the game, and the implementation of NHS Track and Trace measures. This could include: 

1.    The purchase of contactless payment technology.
2.    The installation of hand-sanitisation points.
3.    Implementing advance ticketing systems.
4.    Specialist consultancy support around risk assessments or travel plans.
5.    Fan engagement interventions – such as additional signage, stewarding or transport hubs