Staffordshire FA Chief Executive Officer Adam Evans has stated that it is “likely” that the 2020/21 football season will be different to the usual format players, staff and fans are used to.

In an open letter to the county’s football community, Mr Evans stated: “We are in a time of great uncertainty and understand that you, like us, will have concerns about how and when it will be feasible to get back to playing the game that we all love. 

“Simply put we don’t know at this point and whilst it is hoped that a positive message will be delivered by the Government this weekend, in reality the 2020/2021 season is likely to be different to the traditional format that we are all used to.”

He iterated that the organisation was in frequent liaison with the FA and commented on next campaign’s membership fees.

“It is important that we face these challenges together as a football community and I can assure you that there is a great deal of hard work going on in the background by our Board and remaining staff who are working on support packages to assist our members to return to the game. 

“We are in constant communication with the Football Association who in turn are regularly receiving guidance from the Government in regard to grassroots sport moving forward. 

“Our plans, including the membership fees for the new season, will be announced when there is more detail in regards (to) when we can start playing again and when it is appropriate and relevant to do so.”

Mr Evans urged clubs to seek the financial help they need through the various routes available such as the support offered by the Government, Sport England and the FA.

He continued: ‘It’s times like these when sport pales into insignificance given the horrendous situations that many have found themselves in as a result of this pandemic.

“We would encourage all clubs to review all of the financial support options being offered by various bodies.

“We are here to support the Staffordshire Football Community through this crisis and our reduced team remains ready to support where we can and if you require further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us.”

He concluded: “Football will be back and we will get back to enjoying our game and the enrichment that it brings into all of our lives.”

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Non-league, women’s and grassroots football clubs could potentially be in line for a £1,500 grant to maintain their stadium’s pitch thanks to a new £9.58 million fund set up by statutory bodies, with grassroots sides who have more than one pitch available to claim even more.

The Premier League, The FA, the Government and Sport England have joined together through the Football Foundation to launch the new ‘Pitch Preparation Fund’ – scheme that aims to support clubs and organisations for when football finally returns.

The body says that in order to gain access to this pot, an applicant must be either “a club or organisation with a minimum of 12 months’ security of tenure over the pitches they wish to improve by freehold, leasehold or licence, and have the legal responsibility for maintaining them.”

The following bodies are eligible for the fund: Grassroots football clubs (including Step 7); FA National League System clubs (from Steps 1 to 6); FA Women’s Pyramid clubs (Tier 1-5); County FAs; Professional Club Community Trusts; Leisure Trusts (with an annual turnover of less than 500k); and Welsh Premier League clubs.

The maximum grant value for the stadium pitch at a National League System Club (Step 1-6) and FA Women’s Pyramid outfit (Tier 1-5) is £1,500.

Eligible affiliated grassroots clubs and organisations (including step 7) that maintain one full-size pitch are also able to claim up to £1,500.

Those with two or three full-size pitches may receive up to £2,500 while teams with four or more full-size pitches in line for funding up to £5,000.

The Football Foundation says 11-a-side and 9-a-side pitches are classed as ‘full-size’ pitches with a mini soccer pitch counting as “0.5 pitches.”

These grants are available to help cover the costs of maintenance such as turfing, weed killing and fertilising while clubs with a 3G pitch can put the money towards deep cleaning, FA Pitch Testing and other maintenance.

A spokesperson for the Football Foundation said: “Any work that has been completed since The FA suspended football on March 16, 2020 is eligible to be funded.

“We just ask that clubs provide evidence to demonstrate that their grant is going to be used towards their pitch preparation works – with auditing undertaken before December 31, 2020.

“In addition, we will ask you to carry out a digital assessment of your pitches using our ‘PitchPower’ app to better understand the quality of your playing surface.”

This scheme closes on Monday, May 25.

To apply for this funding, and to find our more details, click here.

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