CLUBS at Step Three to Six in the Non-League System can breathe a little more easily, after the FA announced that fans will be allowed to attend their games from this Saturday.

Between August 22 to August 30, clubs are allowed 15 per cent of 'the minimum ground grading capacity' at their level. That figure will increase to 30 per cent from August 31.

It means the number of fans allowed is dictated by the level the club plays at, not the size of their individual ground.

Put more simply, it means that clubs at Step Four (minimum 1,350 capacity) like Brighouse Town will be able to welcome 200 fans into their ground from Saturday (increasing to 400 from August 31).

Meanwhile, those at Steps Five and Six (minimum 1,000 capacity), like Thackley, Eccleshill United, Albion Sports, Liversedge, Campion, Steeton, Silsden and Barnoldswick Town, will be able to welcome 150 fans to their home games (increasing to 300 from August 31).

But the Toolstation Northern Counties East League, which most of those clubs play in, have announced that their start date will remain at September 19, having pushed it back from September 5 on Tuesday.

Clubs must have completed a risk assessment and uploaded it on to their website, as well as have a test and trace system in place, before they can be allowed to permit any supporters.

As mentioned online yesterday by the T&A, none of this applies to Bradford (Park Avenue) and Guiseley, as they both play at Step Two. For now, any games they host must remain behind closed doors.

Step Seven/Feeder League clubs like Ilkley Town can also now admit spectators (following grassroots guidelines).