In anticipation of the forthcoming season, Shrimps Trust conducted an independent survey to gauge supporters’ opinions about returning to the Mazuma Stadium and attending live football matches amidst COVID-19 restrictions.

There was a great response to the survey, which saw over 300 participants within 48 hours through Shrimps Trust social media channels and an email that directly targeted Trust members. Our findings concluded that the majority of supporters (85%) would feel comfortable returning to the Stadium, but 68% suggested that they did need more information from the club. A summary report of the full survey has now been shared with the club and can be found – HERE

After initially publishing the survey the Trust was contacted by Morecambe FC directors James Wakefield and Rod Taylor. Rod advised that the club is currently undergoing the various stages of converting all COVID-19 guidance prescribed by HM Government and the EFL to meet the needs of the football club. This is a mammoth task currently being undertaken by club employees and directors that is required across all operational areas of the club, and includes the development of bespoke protocols for each EFL member. Once these protocols have been finalised the club looks forward to sharing the full details and impacts with all supporters.

James contacted Trustees to discuss the survey findings – he was appreciative of the work conducted by the Trust and is pleased to see that both the club and the Trust are on the same page. He advised that since becoming a director alongside Charlie Appleyard, one of the areas that the board of directors is keen to improve is communication through working on the dialog between the club and all of its stakeholders. He anticipated that much more comprehensive details surrounding match day operations would be available by early September, at which point the club plans to host an online Question & Answer session with supporters. Although attendance at any such event would be limited due to technical restrictions, this will give fans that have specific questions about attending games the opportunity to ask them via a simple survey published ahead of the session.  All of the answers provided will then be published on the club website for all to see following the session.

It was confirmed to the Trust that:

• Based on current guidance, spectators will hopefully be allowed to attend games in early October – subject to test events being conducted around the country and confirmation from the authorities.
• The maximum number of supporters permitted to attend games is not a fixed percentage of total ground capacity, but is assessed on a club by club basis driven by individual ground layouts and facilities. Although the temporarily revised capacity for the stadium had not yet been finalised, those clubs with more modern grounds and facilities better suited to adherence to the various rules and restrictions may be better able to safely accommodate a higher % of normal capacity.
• Social distancing requirements will mean that some season ticket holders in the Wright & Lord Stand might not be able to use their usual seat – which may cause temporary disruption and relocation. This will be communicated to individuals that are impacted and will be consistent with the experience of football fans up and down the country.
• Initially away supporters may be unable to attend any EFL games as part of league wide protocols, but this may be subject to change. As a result member clubs made a request to the EFL to schedule certain fixtures for later in the season – when it is hoped some temporary restrictions can be reviewed depending on the external situation at that point in time. 
• The club are working on the rules regarding the provision of for food and drinks inside the stadium, along with all other clubs. 

Whilst fans are unable to attend games at the beginning of the campaign, the Trust hopes that supporters’ flags and banners can be displayed at the ground in view of television cameras – similar to what has been seen during the Premier League games at the end of last season. This has been communicated to the club, and it is hoped that representatives from the Trust can enter the ground on a non-match day with supporters’ banners or alternatively pass these to the club. This is something that James believed should be possible, once all of the essential and mandatory preparations to make the ground ready and safe for the new season have been carried out. 

The board of directors hugely appreciates the patience and understanding of fans and is keen to provide answers to the specific questions that are very reasonably being asked.  Information on the online Q&A will be published by the club in the next few days.   

If you do have any questions regarding the survey conducted by the Trust, or if you are a Shrimps Trust member and have any specific concerns about attending games that you would like the Trust to submit to the club on your behalf – please email shrimpstrust@gmail.com.