Non-League football clubs in the United Kingdom are currently benefitting hugely from the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the 6 league levels in the country to play their league matches behind closed doors. The non-league clubs are said to have been enjoying massive ticket sales for league games across the country.
Unlike the Premier League and the Championships tiers of league football in the UK, Non-League football clubs are permitted to host a 30 percent capacity of spectators per-matchday. Due to lack of options, football fans in the country who can not do without watching live games at match venues, have turned to Non-League matches.
This has brought unprecedented sales of matchday tickets to the extent that a newly formed Non-League club like North Ferriby FC is enjoying sell-outs within 15 minutes. The unprecedented sales of tickets have been described by the media manager of North Ferriby FC, Jack Salt, as “unbelievable”.
“Recent demand for tickets has been quite unbelievable, we’ve sold out six home games on the trot now,” Jack Salt told the BBC.
“Our game against Winterton Rangers sold out in 15 minutes. For a club like ours and the level, we’re at it is quite unbelievable.”
Wake up everyone it’s time for another GAMEDAY!
— North Ferriby F.C. (@north_ferribyfc) October 27, 2020
We’re looking forward to welcoming all players, staff and supporters from @WintertonRFC to the Dransfield Stadium this evening for another SOLD OUT game! #UTV💚 pic.twitter.com/YcoQDe9Y4H
Reports in the UK say football fans have to travel long distances to watch Non-League football clubs matches since the government of the UK has insisted that it is not yet safe for Premier League games and other professional league games to be played with the presence of spectators.
Recall that fans were banned from match venues before professional football games resumed in the UK after a three-month-long coronavirus induced break. Hence, the Premier League and other lower leagues had to complete the 2019-2020 season behind closed doors.
This trend has continued to play out in the 2020-2021 season despite agitations from clubs and the league bodies that they can host spectators in league games under a strict social-distancing protocol. As at the time of publishing this report, the UK government has not been convinced enough that the clubs can safely host spectators amid the increasing rate of coronavirus cases in the country.
The fact that the government has shown less interest in allowing fans to return to match venues has forced the Premier League to come up with an unpopular pay-per-view system which required that viewers would have to pay an extra £14.95 per-selected Premier League match.
Fans want the system to be scrapped or the price tag reduced drastically but the Premier League has insisted on maintaining the system until November 8 before the league body can review it. The total cancellation of the system might come when the government permits clubs to start hosting spectators.
