CREDITON United players and officers are gearing up for the new season following the recent go ahead from the F.A for a start to the new football season on September 5, with an opening away trip to Bovey Tracey.

Two days later, Monday, September 7, they welcome Ilfracombe Town to Lords Meadow for their first home match of the new season.

It is more than six months since the Club last played a competitive fixture and judging by the excellent attendance at pre-season training there will strong competition for places in both teams.

There have been a couple of changes in playing personnel with, firstly, Simon Durrant retiring from the game, Richard Edworthy transferring to SWPL Division West team Sticker, closer to his work as a school teacher in deepest Cornwall (sadly everyone will miss his brand new shiny teeth!).

Lee Riggs is also returning to local football with Thorverton.

On the management side long-time Club player and assistant manager Richard Blake has retired to devote time to his young family but former Witheridge Manager Darren Pike has joined the Club as Matt Trenaman’s assistant.

Darren has long experience in the game and good contacts with players.

His arrival at the Club has also seen an influx of some young players wishing to play a better standard of football. Also another Pike – long term supporter David is joining the Reserves management team.

Both the first and second teams still have pre-season friendly matches to play prior to Leagues starting in earnest and now that restrictions have been eased supporters are welcome to attend the games.

Supporters will have to observe strict rules of entry which must be observed. Both the ground and clubhouse are being prepared to comply with Covid-19 restrictions. These include social distancing with supporters and filling in names on track and trace lists on admission to the ground.

F.A announcement

• From August 31, 2020, clubs at Steps 3-6 of the NLS and Tiers 3-4 of the WFP will be permitted to allow spectators to attend fixtures provided that their number does not exceed 30 per cent of the minimum ground grading capacity at their level or the respective figures set out within The FA’s updated guidelines.

However, they must be satisfied that they have been able to comply with the Government’s guidance on the return to recreational team sport and The FA’s updated guidelines.

Attendance numbers max of 150, Social Distancing essential, Track and Trace records to be completed, and both players and supporters must comply with Risk Assessments.

Above all - Respect the Rules so we can ALL move onto 300 in September and more in October and STAY SAFE!

Outstanding pre-season matches to be played:

Saturday, August 29 - First Team V St Martin’s - Home - 2pm

Saturday, August 29 - Reserves V Tedburn St Mary - Away - 3pm

Tuesday, September 1 - First Team V Alphington - Home - 7.30pm

Wednesday, September 2 - Reserves V Newton St Cyres - Home - 7pm

Saturday, September 5 - Reserves V Kentisbeare - Away - 1pm

Saturday, September 12 - Reserves V Chard T. Reserves - Home - 3pm.

The Reserve team’s League Joma Devon and Exeter Football League will be starting League fixtures on Saturday, September 19.

For this season only there will be two Premier Divisions East and West consisting of 12 teams in each Division because of the late start to the season.

This has benefited Crediton United’s Reserves team as they have been elevated to a higher level and, presumably, an end of season finish in the top half of their Division would ensure a continued place in the Premier Division if and when the League reverts to the old system for 2021-22.

With local Cricket teams finishing in a few weeks and “oval-balled football” probably not starting for some time Lords Meadow is the place to be for your sporting fix!

The Clubhouse will be open tomorrow, Saturday, for the First Team friendly against St Martin’s but please note payment in the Clubhouse will be by card only! On the ground however tea shed payments will be by cash only.

Chris Gillard