A MESSAGE FROM ADAM EVANS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Dear colleagues,

I hope that you are all safe and well in these difficult times.
 
The devastating impacts of the coronavirus continue to be felt by families, communities and frontline services across the country, and our thoughts remain with those most affected. It’s times like these when sport pales into insignificance given the horrendous situations that many have found themselves in as a result of this pandemic.
 
We also recognise that many of you are facing your own challenges during the current lockdown which will inevitably have financial implications across the game as well as implications for your own personal and family life. Please be assured that we are aware of this and whilst we do not have all the answers right now, I would like to reiterate the Association’s commitment to the game and retaining its infrastructure for the future.
 
We are in a time of great uncertainty and understand that you, like us, will have concerns about how and when it will be feasible to get back to playing the game that we all love. Simply put we don’t know at this point and whilst it is hoped that a positive message will be delivered by the Government this weekend, in reality the 2020-2021 season is likely to be different to the traditional format that we are all used to. Covid-19 represents a major challenge for all sports at all levels but the benefits that grassroots sport has on the community will never be more important. Physical and mental wellbeing will be key as it is a fact that healthy lifestyles can protect us from getting ill in the first place and reducing social isolation.
 
It is important that we face these challenges together as a football community and I can assure you that there is a great deal of hard work going on in the background by our Board and remaining staff who are working on support packages to assist our members to return to the game. We are in constant communication with the Football Association who in turn are regularly receiving guidance from the Government in regard to grassroots sport moving forward. Our plans, including the membership fees for the new season will be announced when there is more detail in regard when we can start playing again and when it is appropriate and relevant to do so.
 
None of us have ever experienced anything like this in our lifetimes and none of us have all of the answers at the moment. I would urge you to make contact with us with your concerns, examples of best practice, ways in which you are using the game to help the local community or messages of hope and encouragement during these difficult times. We would encourage all clubs to review all of the financial support options being offered by various bodies such as the Government, Sport England, Local Authorities and the Football Foundation to help ease the financial burden and to contact us if we can be of any assistance with any of these. Please visit our website for the latest updates and details of possible funding opportunities moving forward.

We are here to support the Staffordshire Football Community through this crisis and our reduced team remains ready to support where we can and if you require further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us at support@staffordshirefa.com 
 
Football will be back and we will get back to enjoying our game and the enrichment that it brings into all of our lives.
 
Stay safe and best wishes,
 
Adam Evans
Chief Executive Officer