Hopes of a spring cup tournament among teams from the Southern Counties East Football League have been dealt a blow.

The knock-out cup idea was circulated among the clubs in the Premier Division and Division 1 of the SCEFL and 28 of those showed an interest, most under the proviso fans would be able to attend.

Several other leagues across the country had looked to run competitions in the wake of the regular season at steps three to six being curtailed by the FA.

It was hoped that supporters could attend non-elite fixtures prior to May 17, the date that large arenas and elite-sport venues are able to open their doors back up. That is now looking unlikely.

Any tournament among SCEFL sides would need to be completed by the end of May, as instructed by the Football Association.

Guidance issued by the FA, however, has revealed that it’s unlikely spectators would be able to attend before mid-May and that would scupper any hopes of a competition taking place.

SCEFL clubs would be unlikely to want to finance a return to football when there is no income coming in.

Guidance from the FA was issued in response to a number of queries received in relation to the potential for subsidiary competitions being created in order to allow clubs to gradually return to organised football.

That FA correspondence was made public by the Northern Counties East Football League and they reveal the statement issued with that guidance says, in relation to attendance of supporters, that “unfortunately, the current understanding at DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) is that spectators for non-elite football will be under the same categorisation as outlined for all spectators in the roadmap. Therefore, unless informed otherwise we believe all fixtures will need to be behind closed doors until no earlier than May 17th, except for any person(s) spectating for safeguarding purposes.”

Secondary income would also be vital for clubs but the letter makes clear that for outdoor hospitality from April 12, customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) only. That would rule out kiosks selling food and drink for takeaway.

The FA states that they are still waiting the publication of the DCMS guidance and that “clubs are reminded that failure to follow any government guidance could be in breach of gathering legislation in force at any time."

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