The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has now clarified its guidance on the return to recreational team sport and clubs at Steps 3-6 of the National League System (NLS) are permitted to accommodate a phased and limited return of spectators to fixtures. However, they must follow the UK Government’s guidance in relation to Covid-19 and The FA’s updated guidelines for the NLS.

Further details can be found here
https://www.isthmian.co.uk/the-return-of-spectators-63172

This means that for matches from August 22nd to August 30th, clubs at Step 4, which include Whitstable Town, can permit up to 200 spectators to attend matches. From August 31st this number can rise to 400, provided that they have staged at least one fixture and are satisfied they have been able to comply with the Government’s guidance on the return to recreational team sport and The FA’s updated guidelines.

This can only take place once the club has appointed a designated Covid-19 Officer, completed and published a bespoke risk assessment and arranged support for Track and Trace efforts.

At Whitstable we have worked hard to ensure that we can provide a safe environment for the return of football and can now look forward to welcoming our supporters back from Saturday 22nd August when we entertain Cray Wanderers.

The updated arrangements for this game are as follows:

• Please do not come to the game if you are displaying any of the Covid-19 symptoms.
• Admission to this game only will be by donation.
• The turnstiles will open at 1.30 p.m. for a 3 p.m. kick off.
• Entrance to the Belmont Ground will be from the Grimshill Road (car park) gate only and there will be no access from Belmont Road.
• Once the reduced capacity limit is reached, there will be no further entries allowed. We have allocated some of the 200 capacity to away supporters and also reserved some for Whitstable Town season ticket holders, who will be guaranteed entry.
• Maintain social distancing and hygiene measures within the ground and follow the advice given by club officials or posters around the ground.
• Family groups of up to six are permitted to sit or stand together. Alternate rows in the seated stand will be closed and we advise all occupants to wear face masks.
• Children must be supervised at all times.
• The bar will be open for drinks, snacks and toilet facilities and there will be a one-way system, social distancing and queuing in operation.
• The tea hut will be closed, but tea and coffee will be available from the clubhouse bar.
• We are asking all spectators to use contactless payment where possible inside the ground. Please note the bar will only be accepting contactless payments, with the exception that hot drinks may be paid for in cash at £1 a cup, although no change will be given.
• We will be providing hand sanitiser stations at the entrances to the ground and clubhouse and would encourage their use to help keep everybody safe.

For those wishing to purchase a season ticket and ensure entry to all games, please follow the link below or speak to a club official.
Season Tickets

If you would like to download a summarised spectator guide, please use the link below.