Plans in place for football’s kick off

The government has given the go-ahead for football to return with clubs set to start pre-season friendlies in August ahead of the start of the leagues in September.

The FA announced at the weekend that full contact training is now permitted as the clubs get ready for the regular season.

Both Spalding United and Pinchbeck United have announced their pre-season fixtures, though they will certainly initially be played behind closed doors.

It’s hoped crowds will be allowed in by the time of the first competitive fixtures which for the Tulips, and possibly Holbeach United and Pinchbeck, could be the early rounds of the FA Cup in September.

Lewis Thorogood posted on the club’s Facebook page that the Evo-Stik League are proposing to start on Saturday, September 9 and it’s hoped fans will be allowed in the ground by then while adhering to social distance guidelines.

The Tulips’s pre-season fixtures are, Aug 1 – Peterborough Sports (H), Aug 6 – Holwell Sports (A), Aug 8 – Newark FC (A), Aug 14 – Pinchbeck United (TBC). Aug 19 – Horncastle Tn (A), Aug 22 – Boston Tn (A) and Aug 24 – Bourne Tn (H).

Thorogood also stated the club are in talks about a possible friendly with a Doncaster Rovers XI.

Pinchbeck United have also announced pre-season fixtures: Aug 8 –Wisbech Town (A), Aug 14 – Spalding United (H), Aug 22 – Bromleians (H), Aug 25 – Holbeach United (TBC), Aug 29 – Wisbech St Mary’s (H).

Pinchbeck, who this week announced Alfie Tate as their new first team coach, are set to be alongside Holbeach United in the United Counties League Premier Division once again.

The Peterborough and District Football League has also announced its constitution for the 2020/21 season with Crowland Town having been promoted to the Premier Division on a points per game basis after leading the way in Division One when the COVID-19 outbreak brought the season to a halt.

Crowland join Moulton Harrox, Long Sutton Athletic and Holbeach United Reserves in the league’s top flight for next season.

In Division One, Spalding Town have become Pinchbeck United Reserves with Crowland Town Reserves promoted to that division and Tydd moved down from the Premier.

Other local movers are Holbeach United Sports who are promoted to Division Two and Long Sutton Athletic A who are moving up to Division Four while Holbeach Bank have been demoted to Division Five.

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