Despite the recent announcement from the FA that a limited number of spectators will be allowed to attend matches in Tier 3 areas, the current moves do not go far enough to allow Clitheroe Football Club to realistically consider a return to playing.

The change in policy via the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport regarding clubs at Steps 3 and 4 of the National League system would allow 15 per cent of the minimum ground capacity across each level to attend matches in Tier 3.

For Clitheroe – and clubs in the Pitching In Northern League NW Division – that would mean a maximum capacity of 200.

Unfortunately, that level of attendance – with no permitted opening of bars and catering facilities – would not make it financially viable for the Blues to operate and resume expenditure on match-day operations and playing expenses.

With season-ticket holders exceeding 200, there would be virtually no match-day income generated at Shawbridge, placing the club in an unsustainable, loss-making situation every week.

Even if the county – or Ribble Valley – is down-graded to Tier 2 status, it’s likely the current regulations at that level would, equally, be too restrictive to allow the club to operate on a sound financial footing unless the current offer of Government loans is not switched to grant funding.

The club – and NPL – is continuing to lobby for a change to that system, and the kind of grant aid that has been made to clubs further up the non-league pyramid, as well as a relaxing of restrictions around match-day regulations.

As things stands, the Blues have no scheduled fixtures until Boxing Day after the league suspended the season in November and postponed subsequent matches following a vote of member clubs.

However, as outlined above, we do not see re-starting under the current restrictions as a viable option.

We are truly sorry that our supporters are currently not able to watch the team play and provide some welcome pleasure in these trying times, but we feel it’s the responsibility of the club’s board to protect the long-term future of Clitheroe FC.