For the first time since March, fans will be able to watch football at the Beacon this weekend as Hassocks host Haywards Heath Town in a pre-season friendly with a 12.30pm kick off.
The government lifted the ban on supporters attending non-league football on Tuesday. The Robins can therefore open their turnstiles for the fixture against their local rivals from the Isthmian League.
Attendances are limited to 150 and this will be decided on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no set entrance price; Hassocks are instead operating a ‘pay what you want’ policy as the club understand that different people will have suffered in different ways financially throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The Robins Bar will be open serving beer and the T Bar with hot and cold drinks throughout the afternoon. The T Bar is not yet in a position where it can sell food to supporters, although the club remain hopeful that this will change in the run up to the Southern Combination League season getting underway.
There are some other guidelines which supporters who wish to attend should be aware of:
- Self check – Please do not turn up if you have any Covid-19 symptoms. For more information on what these are, please check the government website.
- Track and trace – The club need to have contact details of everyone who attends. You can either register your details using the QR code or provide them manually to a club official when you arrive at the Beacon.
- Masks – Please note that masks must be worn when inside the Clubhouse. They can be removed if you are physically sat down to eat or drink inside and do not have to be used by those who are medically exempt.
- Social distancing – Please remember to not meet up in groups of more than six (from a maximum of two households) unless you have already formed a social bubble. Where possible, please keep two metres space between you and others not in your group. We have plenty of space and vantage points – please make use of it.
- Signage and direction of movement – There is extensive signage up around the Beacon – please follow it. This is particularly important inside the Clubhouse, where a one way system is in operation. The supporters’ entrance is from the pitch side doors and the exit is to the side doors under The Robins sign opposite the turnstiles.
- Hand sanitising – Soap is provided along with dryers in all toilets. There are also hand sanitising stations at all entrances and exits – please use them, we have plenty.
- Seating in the Maurice Boxall Stand – Part of the Maurice Boxall Stand has been cordoned off for Hassocks to use as dugout seating. If you wish to sit in the stand, then please look for the seats marked available for fans.
- Card payments – We have installed card payment facilities at the turnstiles and inside the Clubhouse. Please pay with contactless wherever possible.
All of this will be new to the Robins too, so please bear with club officials should there be any teething problems – especially when it comes to the new technology.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the warm welcome you can expect to receive at the Beacon. It has been six long months now since the Robins first team last played in front of supporters and everyone at Hassocks is very much looking forward to welcoming a crowd back.
For further information, please see the Hassocks Football Club Covid-19 Risk Assessment
