MarcusX

Key workers are struggling to get tests, how can you spare a couple thousand for football fans? The point still remains that very little will open up while the message is clearly about tightening up. Once tht message changes then football will probably be reviewed again. You’ve also not factored in the costs of opening up to only 1000 people, no idea numbers of staff etc required but you could take a chunk from that income.

Yet the Premier league show every game at different times so you can sit in a pub all day Saturday and Sunday watching every game, makes no sense ? Even changed the 8:15 KO times so they didn’t miss the end

Really? Didn’t know that. It’s definitely happening. I guess the club can’t be seen to do it though. Well that flies in the face of “we’re socialising too much, stop it” so it’s just all nonsense at this point from the government. In theory, tables of 6 and no chatting to anyone outside of your 6 - well I’m pretty sure at that level most people in the clubhouse will know each other so that won’t happen ? Meanwhile, those playing outside of the pyramid aren’t even allowed to use changing rooms. Seems sensible with the cold weather approaching, making everyone get changed outside in the wet and cold

I’m in agreement. I can cope without a pub but don’t take my gym away again! Boris wanted people to get healthy, forget slimming world or whatever it was he’s gone with, get people out being active. I’m glad team sports are still going ahead, I’m not sure why park runs couldn’t on that basis - though I assume most attract hundreds of people? Maybe rather than 1 park run a week, have different start times through the day. Greater demand on volunteers I suppose but I’m sure lots of people are keen to get this going and willing to help. I guess it’s back to my point on the football thread, it’s difficult to justify opening more things up when the message is tightening things up Ah good luck, Ironman is my dream! I need a lot of swimming work

My primary thought on this is that pubs are already open, we aren't now allowing them to open instead of football grounds. They are now tightening up their practices, now isn't the time to open more things.

What spoons is open 23 hours a day? I still think your ignoring the very basic point of the message. The message is "we're socialising too much and we need to tighten up". There are parts of the UK that aren't allowed to mix with other households indoors. We are no longer at the stage of "how can we open up safely" like when these trials started and fans started going in. We are at the stage of "we must slow down NOW to avoid a full restriction again". You cannot send out that message by allowing crowds into sporting events, or music venues or anything else that hasn't already been opened up. I'm expecting "park" level football to be restricted next as I can't see how 30+ of us can play football all over the country tomorrow whilst adhering to the message because aside from the football it's everything that goes with it. The car sharing to get there and back and the heading into the pub for a drink after are two immediate things that spring to mind. We can talk about other countries but as I pointed out earlier, France are backtracking on numbers in some places. We've also managed the whole virus differently to other countries. Places that have handled the whole situation better are in a better position than us to open up - as above, we aren't opening up right now we are closing down again. Only people being facetious or just simple think it only operates between hours of 10 and 6. I dont think there's any clear science about the time but its quite obvious to most that closing bars earlier will lead to some of the following: - less people going out as some will deem it not worth it. - less time available for people to drink upto 4 hours for some venus. - the usual kick-out shenanigans that happen at 1/2am and cause Police issues will now happen earlier It's not perfect but it's a time that allows people to still go out, and particularly have a meal, but without getting stupid(er) like people do in the early hours. Of course people will likely head back to houses instead of just going home, but something had to be done short of closing them completely. As above, there's some logic to it even if it's far from perfect. Shouldnt make social distancing any more difficult because bars and restaurants wont allow any more people in than their limit

Fair enough I've misunderstood and sounds like you'll know better. I did some reading and most articles said they should but perhaps as you say there's no actual rule

France are interesting. They've gone from 1k cases a day to several days of 13k cases a day in a month. That's double their worst day on March 31st. They've got the most active cases in Europe though their deaths are still relatively low at this point, will be interesting to see how that tracks over the next couple of weeks. Could the increase in cases be linked to crowds returning? Either way I'm not sure if they are someone we should be looking to emulate right now. Also for balance, Nice played behind closed doors on Sunday against PSG despite intially hoping for 5k fans and last week Marseille only had 1k instead of 5k so it's not looking as hopeful everywhere in France. It's good that you're sensible. Unfortunately it's been shown that a lot of people can't, it's not just a case of "your choice" if you aren't sensible. They aren't putting just themselves at risk, they are putting everyone else they come into contact with at risk. I think it's great you've been able to go to football, and as you say you've kept your distance so while the option is there I'm not saying you shouldn't go, you absolutely should but looking at it from a bigger picture I just can't see how we can open up further whilst telling the country they need to restrict their socialising.

I know there's a separate thread but this needs to be addressed when people say these things. A day later and it's 5k cases and 37 deaths, tripled in a day. This isn't even about how many people are dying today it's about stopping that number before it gets out of control. Also consider that there's a lag between when people get it and when they die, so we're talking about 5k cases today and how many deaths that may look like in 3 weeks time -not hard to comprehend how they make look if the numbers have tripled in 24 hours. Do I also have to mention the dangers of 5k people out in public with this virus, many asymptomatic and who they may pass it on to? If we carried on as we were with people taking the piss and meeting in large groups, holding house parties and such like, 1 person soon spreads to 20, and those 20 soon spread to their friends and family. It needed to be addressed now before it got out of hand because if it didn't people were only going to get more relaxed with their actions. Pubs and indoor spaces shouldn't be opening without proper ventilation, it's part of the guidance of them opening.

Sorry if I was unclear 2 points really, we're telling the country we're socialising too much. Further restrictions have been put in place and there's rumours (Scotland have already done it) that next step will be no mixing of households. It would somewhat confuse or dilute this message if you then had people attending sports events. There are families of 5 who can't go and see both grandparents at the same time. I'm not saying I dont want to see fans back in but I'm looking at the bigger picture and the message. Same as when football stopped and Cheltenham went ahead for example - it was mixed messages. Second point is that for a lot of people match day isn't just the game, it's the whole day. People are more likely to meet up before the game, maybe in pubs, maybe at home or maybe just hanging around outside the ground mixing with each other and possibly again after. It's not just the moment inside the ground where fans are split evenly around a huge ground - it's the getting in, the facilities available once inside and how that works. I would assume that although it's a significant amount of money, just getting fans in at reduced numbers isn't enough. They'd need to be buying food and drink etc too? Will that be possible? It could be that trials are done and it's proved this can all work safely but I questioned your comment that it was "perfectly safe" and "absolutely no reason not to". There's no evidence it's "perfectly" safe yet and there are reasons not to, even if you dont agree with it. A third point, or perhaps 2a what happens when the weather turns? Twerton Park for example has a lot of open ends, people wont stand out in the rain while it seems like it will work to spread people around the ground in practicality they will congregate under cover. I'm thinking of other grounds at that level e.g. Chippenham where there's a relatively small stand and then only one goal and one side of the pitch covered. Will capacity be reduced based on weather? I havent seen any guidelines so genuine question. Dont get me wrong, I really want to attend football matches. Point 1 is my biggest concern though, if we're really facing a potential second wave and the government wants people to buy-in to what they are trying to achieve then I don't see how crowds can return to football and other sporting events.

I haven’t missed the point and I’ve noted reasons why, so it’s incorrect to say there is “absolute no” reason just because you don’t agree with them. We’re tightening up on restrictions, it would completely go against the message to start letting hundreds or even thousands of people into sporting events.

I can see this causing unfairness across the levels. Teams vying for promotion/relegation into national leagues where half the teams have had crowds and income? Teams within the same league where some of them have income and others dont? Doesn't seem a fair scenario to me. See Merthyr Town situation announced before this latest news. They've had to pull out of the league due to the latest restrictions in Wales meaning they were the only club at step 3 not allowed to play infront of their crowd. I'd hardly call it "perfectly" safe and manageable. No system that relies on the compliance of the general public will be perfectly safe. At a time when the government are telling people they are socialising too much you can't then go and have crowds back at sporting events. It's not just the game it's the whole culture, in the pub before and after, mixing with other groups around the ground, some will travel to away games and try and get in/get tickets. Not sure of the comparison with Spoons, if you're sat in a pub you should be sat at a table with your group only and not mixing with anyone else?

I think it’s hard to try and play football after so much running as your body is only used to the continuous forward movement, the twists and turns are so demanding and need familiarisation again Went really well thanks! Finished in 10:51:05. Initial goal (other than just showing up, and finishing!) was 10 hours and was looking good for it but fell apart around mile 38. It was a 3.3 mile course 15 laps, so after every 3 laps I got some food in(as I’d done in training). I took a 15 minute planned break after lap 9 (29ish miles) did some massage, changed socks etc and felt great but think I went a bit too hard for a couple of laps and pushed the pace too much. Mile 38-45 was an absolute slog and a lot of walking, the pain was unbearable but I got a second wind for the last lap, adjusted my goal to 11 hours on the fly and finished strong! was a good little event, shame covid meant you didn’t really get to talk to people too much but the team running it were great, really friendly and supportive. 9 people did the full 50 out of 40ish runners and most were doing their first ultra. In a whole world of pain now though and managed a couple of hours sleep but now wide awake ?

well, this government didn't think there was any risk for 1000s of people to attend Cheltenham ?

As much as I want to get back to watching football, it's pure madness IMO that this is announced the same week as we're told too many people are socialising and strict rules about meeting families are brought in.

Quick update from me, after a few weeks of lacking motivation and injury I’ve been back out. Played first few games of football and like Harry said, different type of fitness and soreness next day ? My 50 mile ultra is still going ahead, next Saturday. Completed my longest run last weekend of 36 miles (day after playing football too!) and I’m feeling ready. Physio says I’ve got a bit of tendonitis in my hamstring but should be able to get through the run!

If you think that’s bad, you should see what music concerts/festivals look like at the minute. Absolutely dreadful

Can't wait to allocate family their own time slots for visiting hours. 2 per hour max, thank you. Only joking... my whole family is small enough to adhere to the law ??

I don’t think today’s “news” affects the sports attendance as much as it might seem. The limit on groups of people outdoors was already 6 (unless all from no more than 2 households). This change might actually help sport attendance because firstly, it will be in a “covid secure” environment e.g risk assessments, social distancing in place, etc etc same way pubs and gyms can operate still. At present if 15 lads turned up together to watch football (thinking non league for example), the law has no power to split them up. Now there’s clear law in place that only groups of 6 regardless of the makeup of that group can attend together and if they persist on breaking the law, they can be split up. All that said, I can see the outrage from people being told their family of 5 can only meet one grandparent while 3000 people attend a football match in the same way people are highlighting work/pubs/public transport etc. It doesn’t send out the right message to get people on side if on one hand you’re saying people are socialising too much - then the other saying it’s safe for thousands of people to attend a football match. Someone pointed out the early posts and looking back, hold my hands up fully I never expected us to be in this situation at all. Can’t remember if/what I may have posted but I thought this would pass very quickly, remember texting a mate saying no chance the Euros would be cancelled get those flights booked!

As much as I want it, I just can’t Imagine a typical match day experience that remains safe. It’s easier to do at non league level as most is open air, less stands etc How can you have thousands of people entering turn styles and congregating in concourses? Sharing toilets etc Dont forget we’re still only meant to be inside with one other household at the moment (although that’s not being adhered to at all). Only way I can see big crowds allowed in league stadiums is if there’s a big change in the general message from the government. Theres already schools closing because a handful of teachers test positive. I really want to get back to watching football I just can’t get my head around it happening at the moment.

Thanks for this, I’d forgotten about their end of season plummet! ?

Not that I can see, assumed maybe Anglo Italian cup game but it didn’t resume til 92/93 and they played Southend and West Ham

It's an outside environment and not face to face contact, so based on current guidelines in the UK masks wouldn't be necessary or any safer - from what I've read. No different to sitting in a pub garden with someone on the table next to you. Its definitely the concourses and facilities plus getting in and out of the ground in crowds that is the big issue here - sitting in your seat distanced from the next group of people is the easy bit

Thanks, it’s Tuesday and my legs still ache ? but I had football training again last night. Rest day today Training starts to ramp up this month, back to back weekend runs and about 200 miles in total all being well. Did 138 in July and 75 in June

Got a good long session in today 18.5 mile run along the canal. Walked in places where needed. 3 hours and 10 minutes then 90 minutes of football training and a round of golf! 47.3k steps ? 6 weeks til my ultra marathon and time on the legs is looking good, and feeling less painful than I thought it might