BRIGHOUSE TOWN commence their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a behind closed door game with Sheffield FC, the oldest club side in the World (3.0).
Normally Town would have been three weeks into pre-season games, but had, like others, to await permission from the Football Association to make a start. Manager Vill Powell, who intends to give game time to all the squad that has been training throughout July, has also another eleven games in the pipeline between August 1 and the proposed league start in late September. His plan of games will only be disrupted if Town have an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie on Tuesday, September 1 or a Preliminary Round tie on Saturday, September 12. He, and the club, should have a clearer picture after Monday when the FA’s cup committee commence making the draws. The FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22. The FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 and this compact cup fixturering is down to getting all ties completed in the FA Cup before the televised ties come in with the Football League clubs in November
For Saturday’s game Powell will be without diminutive striker Mohammed Ibrahim who he says is still two months off getting back to full fitness after his cruciate knee injury operation, and former Emley fullback Mikey Starkey, who missed out on a knee ligament operation due to covid-19 pressures on the NHS, is looking at a post-Christmas return.
Ainley Top-based senior referee Sam Barrott, who was in charge of last Saturday’s Notts County v Barnet Vanarama National League semi-final, will take charge of Saturday’s game and will allow 20 minute drinks breaks as per FA ruling.
Town’s appointed covid officers Ray McLaughlin and Andy Eccles will take charge of the Yorkshire Payments Stadium and game from 12.30pm ahead of the visitors arriving, their officials and Town’s, the only people allowed inside the ground.
The National League system for the 2020-21 season was rolled out earlier this week and in Town’s division, the Step 4-Northern Premier League -North West, the same 20 clubs will participate that saw their 2019-20 season declared null and void back in late March.
There have also been some early guidelines form the FA as to when they are looking at allowing spectators in and Saturday, September 19 is the date in Town’s league, although things could alter for the better in the interim.
Manager Powell in readiness for spectators coming back, albeit in limited numbers, has come up with a season ticket winner this week for his club. Town are offering the first 20 applicants from Premier League, Championship, Football League and National League clubs a season ticket for £50 and that works out at £2.63 a home game for the 19 on offer. In the first day on Monday 11 tickets had been sold and if any readers would like to apply then please go on Town’s website for details or email the club’s media manager Damian Wales on [email protected] to register.
