Coronavirus Latest
Information last updated at 16:00, Thursday 26th March.
The latest information on the impact of Coronavirus on football in Surrey.
- Grassroots football season concluded for The FA and NLS Steps 3-6
- County Cup Competitions cancelled
- Meadowbank Football Ground closed for the foreseeable future
- Courses and events postponed for the foreseeable future
We continue to monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice provided by the Government and The FA.
As per the below statement from The FA dated 26th March, the grassroots football season for NLS Steps 3-6 in England is to be concluded.
In addition to this, the Surrey FA Board met on 16th March and made the difficult but decision to cancel our County Cup competitions for the 2019/20 season. This decision was made based on the worsening Coronavirus crisis and with the priority being the health and wellbeing of all of football’s stakeholders in Surrey.
For information on how this impacts football in Surrey please read below. We have also prepared an FAQ section which we hope will provide answers to some of the most common questions which you may have for us.
We recognise that this is a difficult time for all those who, like us, love the game of football. Everyone here at Surrey FA wishes you the best of health during this period of uncertainty. We hope that all those who love the game in Surrey will pull together to support their communities. Some things really are more important than football.
FA Statement - 26th March 2020
'The Football Association has been working collaboratively with the National League System, the Women’s Football Pyramid and the wider grassroots game since the outbreak of COVID-19 on how to conclude the 2019/20 season in the most appropriate way possible.
These are challenging circumstances for English football and all decisions taken are in the best interests of the game and in consultation across key stakeholders. Our primary concern will always be for the safety and welfare of clubs, players, staff, officials, volunteers and supporters during this unprecedented time.
Today’s steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided, with the integrity of the Leagues in mind.
The NLS and the Women’s Football Pyramid were able to build a consensus amongst their leagues and, where possible, aimed to create a consistent approach across all leagues, whilst taking into account the unique characteristics of each individual league.
As a result, The FA and NLS Steps 3 to 6 have reached a consensus that their 2019/20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged. This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between NLS Steps 3 to 6, and no promotion to NLS Step 2.
These decisions will also apply to the Leagues and clubs who play at NLS Step 7.
The National League [NLS Steps 1 and 2] have agreed that they want to attempt to complete the competition in line with the Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Emirates FA Cup and are therefore seeking permission from The FA that the season for this level will be extended beyond 1 June 2020 indefinitely.
The planned implementation of the restructure of the NLS will also now be deferred until the start of the 2021/22 season.
Furthermore, we can now confirm that The FA has decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019/20 season. This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season. Our County Football Associations [CFAs] will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions.
Where appropriate, the above decisions will be put to The FA Council for ratification.
Throughout this period The FA continues to seek guidance in respect of the Government’s financial support packages relative to COVID-19 and how they are applicable to clubs in the NLS, the Women’s Football Pyramid and the wider grassroots game.'
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
In the women’s game, The FA, FA Women’s Board members and the Women’s Football Conference have consulted and reached a consensus regarding the Women’s Football Pyramid.
The FA and the Leagues within Tiers 3 to 7 have reached a consensus to bring the season to an immediate end and all results will be expunged. This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between Tiers 3 to 7. Agreement has also been reached to end the Regional Talent Clubs season, which was due to conclude in April 2020.
We remain in consultation with the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship Board and clubs regarding the most appropriate way to complete the current season; including the Barclays FA Women’s Super League Academy.
FA COMPETITIONS
With the Emirates FA Cup, Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Trophy and Buildbase FA Vase 2019/20 all at advanced stages, The FA is reviewing all options as we seek to complete these competitions whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so. Clubs involved are close to reaching a major Final and for those clubs and supporters we will do all we can to keep the Wembley dream alive.
In respect of The FA Youth Cup, The FA County Youth Cup, The FA Sunday Cup and The FA Inter-League Cup, we are also seeking to complete these competitions if it is feasible to do so.
The FA will also continue planning for FA Competitions to take place for the 2020/21 season.'
The FA's letter to leagues can be viewed here.
Contacting Surrey FA
Following the Government’s announcement on the evening of Monday 16th March, the Surrey FA offices will be closed to staff and visitors until further notice. All staff will still be working from home and will be available via email and direct dial as this will be forwarded to the relevant member of staff. Please use this method when calling all staff instead of going through the main office switch board. You can also email all members of staff using the email addresses found alongside contact numbers on the Board & Staff page of our website.
What about County Cup Competitions?
Surrey FA County Cups
On 16th March the Surrey FA Board met to discuss the situation with regards to the Surrey County Cup Competitions.
First and foremost, the health and wellbeing of everyone involved and connected with Surrey football remains our priority. We continue to closely follow guidance from The FA including the decision to suspend all grassroots football based on the Government’s advice concerning social gatherings.
The Board assessed each category of the Surrey FA County Cup, from youth level through to the senior men’s. It took into account a wide range of factors and logistics both this season and next. Also, the fact that there remained a significant number of rounds still to be completed, even before all 18 finals could be played.
Our duty of care to protect the well-being of all our stakeholders including players, coaches, officials, staff, volunteers and their wider family and friends, was paramount in our minds at this unprecedented time.
The Board considered at length the option of rescheduling the finals for a later date, however, in light of these and other factors it was agreed that, regrettably, the only viable course of action was to cancel all County Cup competitions for the 2019/20 season.
Surrey FA would like to thank all the clubs concerned for their understanding during what is an unprecedented time for football, at all levels of the game, and everyone involved in Surrey football for their continued support at the grassroots.
Capital Cups Competitions
With the Government announcement as of the evening of 16th March, all Capital Cup ties will be postponed until further notice in agreement with Middlesex FA, AFA and London FA. We will update at an appropriate time as and when we have any further details.
What about Surrey FA Development Programmes, Affiliated Clubs and Leagues?
Following The FA's announcement on 26th March, we can confirm that all grassroots league football has now concluded for the 2019/2020 season. We shall continue to follow further Government guidance and advice from The FA and in the event of any developments with regards to participation, we will issue an update to all of our affiliated clubs and leagues in Surrey.
This suspension will also impact on a number of Surrey FA initiatives and leagues, including the following:
- Walking Football League
- Adult Only First Aid course
- College Disability League
- Women’s Recreational Tournaments
- Women’s Flexi-League
- Futsal Leagues
- Football For All League
- Networking for the Female Game Event
- Inclusive Schools League
What about Surrey FA Courses?
As of the evening of Monday 16th March, Surrey FA have taken the difficult decision to postpone all SFA Coach Education programmes, this means all courses will be postponed and will not go ahead. This will also effect ongoing courses (Introduction & 2) that may be between sessions. Please note these course will be postponed at their current stage and we will update all participants directly, as soon as we are in a position to do so.
The courses impacted by this include but are not limited to:
- FA Introduction to Coaching Football
- FA Level 2 in Coaching Football
- FA Level 3 in Coaching Football (UEFA B)
- FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football
- FA Safeguarding Children Workshop
- FA Welfare Officers Workshop
- FA Referee Course
If you were due to take part in any of our courses and have any queries around the status of your course, whether ongoing, a future booking or simply you are considering booking a course then email any questions to Education@SurreyFA.com
What about Meadowbank Football Ground?
Meadowbank is now closed to all footballing customers until further notice. The pitches will not be available for use for the foreseeable future, all ongoing bookings will be postponed and we will make contact directly with all of our users on a regular basis and those with existing bookings to ensure our customers are kept up to date with the very latest news.
If you have any queries around your planned usage of the site, please email meadowbank@surreyfa.com.
What if the Situation Changes?
We are actively monitoring Government and FA advice and guidance as the situation changes and additional measures become necessary. As a matter of good practice we would recommend that Leagues and Clubs adopt the same approach.
Further updates will be added to this page as appropriate.
Getting the Latest Government Advice
Read the latest information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.
Go to NHSUK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to check if you need medical help.
We advise that you do not referee a friendly as all grassroots football has been suspended.
At this time, we cannot give any information on refunds on courses. We will give more information when we know.
At this moment in time it is for the foreseeable future. Further updates to will follow as and when the situation changes.
At this moment in time we will not be able to complete or arrange any new DBS checks. These will be rearranged in due course when it is possible to complete.
Please call staff between the core hours of 10am-3pm.
All courses that we deliver will be postponed until further notice. We will give you an update when we have one.
Unfortunately, this year they will not be rearranged. We will be in contact with the teams who are still in the competitions at this stage.
Personal hearings will not go ahead but non-personal hearings will continue to go ahead via webinar.
Further updates to follow regarding this.
They will not be affected because no football is being played until further notice.
All events Surrey FA run will be postponed until further notice. We will give you an update when we have one.