This week's announcement, both of what Tier each part of England would be placed in after the end of the current restrictions on 2nd December and as to what the measures in each tier will entail, has left football clubs reeling.
Taking Tier 3 first and the major impact here is that no spectators are allowed at any level of the game whereas previous restrictions under this tier still meant that fans could watch matches below National League level.
Clubs had put in place numerous protocols and measures to welcome supporters back and the games were a two-way lifeline, financially for the clubs and a welcome diversion for those watching.
Having done all this, on the back of the various fundraising efforts to get them through the first lockdown, its a huge ask of officials and volunteers to 'go again' in modern football parlance, especially when the new tier system has no real end in sight, the promise of a review every two weeks seemingly little more than kicking the can down the road a little.
Supporters can return in Tier 2 areas, welcome news for clubs in Leagues One and Two and the National Leagues (and I'm delighted for those who made a financial commitment in the summer) but the accompanying restriction which will close the vast majority of bars and clubhouses takes away with the other hand what the admittance of fans gives back.
A number of leagues are set to push back their restart date but the next round of the FA Vase will still take place next weekend, albeit behind closed doors for many clubs.
Great work will go behind the scenes to get these games seen in one form or another, Hanley Town of the North West Counties League for instance are looking to live stream their tie with Deeping Rangers, but it means more hours and more hard work for volunteers.
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