On 13th March 2020 the Premier League and EFL took the extraordinary step to suspend all football due to the Covid-19 pandemic which was sweeping across the world. 10 days later the Prime Minister would go on to announce the first national lockdown in England meaning our beloved football was on hold indefinitely.
After lengthy discussions and a lot of back and forth between the government, leagues and clubs — the Premier League and Championship were given the green light to resume in June and complete the season behind closed doors followed by an incredibly short summer break.
2020/21 started in September, again, behind closed doors. There was a brief period of hope in October that we might get a small number of fans returning to grounds. Frustratingly, the plans were put on ice. Then Lancashire’s continuing cycle of being in highest tier restrictions and the unwelcome sequel/prequel national lockdowns prevented any fans from getting back into Deepdale.
As we have just passed the dreaded one year ‘anniversary’, it’s a struggle to try to sum up what we have been through over the last twelve months. Every single aspect of our lives and normal routines has been disrupted almost beyond recognition. The way in which we now watch the game has been completely transformed from what it was pre-March 2020.
Personally, my interest in football was declining and I found it was steadily becoming harder to get my pre-pandemic enthusiasm back (missing those early-start away days and the ‘proper’ matchday experience which simply couldn’t be replicated via a TV screen). I spoke with friends and family and noticed some were feeling similarly but also others had adapted well to it and were still maintaining interest whilst watching at home.
This is what sparked my interest to hear from more North End fans about our experiences during this unprecedented year. I created a survey to share with fans to ask questions centred around our personal experiences during the pandemic. The response was amazing and I’m very thankful to everyone who took the time to complete it and share with family and friends. It helped massively and we reached 348 fans in total between 21st January and 13th February. It was fascinating to read all the responses and get a good insight into our thoughts/feelings. I hope you find it as interesting as I did researching and writing!
Here’s the all-important survey summary:
It isn’t the same without us
“Football without fans is nothing/rubbish/obviously not the same without crowds… sometimes clichés are true!”
“Teams need fans. Football isn’t the same without them, you can’t really support a club behind a screen.”
“Football on TV is bad enough but without fans it’s soulless and to some degree pointless.”
“Perhaps now more than ever the football authorities will realise the true value of the fans”
“Cant wait to get back to normality matchdays just aint the same on TV or a laptop”
Football is more than 90 minutes
“Realised it’s not just the game itself… it’s the walk to the ground, the people you sit with, the pie, the HT chat, tears and laughter of the score, basically the experience!!”
“I miss the crowd and the social scene.”
“I miss meeting up in the pub meeting supporters who sit near me all season ticket holders and the banter on the bus home.”
“Miss my mates, miss the trips. Not really missing the football.”
Pandemic football: A Lifeline
“Football being on is a lifeline, it’s something to watch, talk about, and look forward to.”
“Football helps a lot of people get away from the downs in life, let’s hope we can return to normal as soon as possible.”
“Football has definitely helped me to get through the pandemic so far. Whilst watching on a screen will never beat or even come close to beating being there in person I really don’t know how I would have coped through this without it.”
“the ability to watch games on ifollow has been invaluable for many people, and the football industry should be applauded for doing everything it can to allow games to go ahead.”
Lost interest
“Hardly watched a game, completely lost interest”
“Watch less football outside of PNE games due to new hobbies”
“I feel I am less bothered by football at the moment in general as it seems to be on non-stop. It was nice to be able to have a break when things were “normal”
“Miss going to footy with my pals, yes feel bit disconnected from the game at the moment. You can’t get excited for it I feel.”
“Slower and a lack of interest at times. Some players look less interested too (including PNEs)”
Troublesome Transfers
“im still watching games, but im less interested after we got him [Evans] on loan”
“I feel completely disenchanted with the club as it has communicated terribly with fans and hired Ched Evans. I feel I can’t support them currently.”
“Club comms / community: lots of good work done (phone calls to those shielding, etc) but much undone by signing Evans. I have difficulty promoting a family club image when signing individuals that cannot uphold that through their actions”
“For a club that prides itself on being a family club, a club of the community, that has spent the last nine months working to help and protect those who are the most vulnerable, this decision felt like a complete betrayal of all those who may find Evans’ reputation harmful to their own recovery.”
“As well as being less interested due to the pandemic and the inability to actually go to games — the signing of Ched Evans has made me feel even less interested.”
Club Comms: Rated
“I don’t think the club could have done anymore. They’ve communicated more then I expected them too to be honest. Seems to be whatever the club do they can’t win.’”
“Club’s support to the community through lockdown has been strong. Communication around the football club itself has been less positive.”
“Still aggrieved over no refund or offer of any incentives for those season ticket holders who had the remaining 4/5? home games paid for. It was just brushed under the carpet”
“Fans too critical of club/players during such a difficult time for all”
“North End having pushed the care packages to people in need which is great but overall the club (PNE) is so out of touch with the fans.”
“want to add that I feel communication is improving a lot.”
“I would love maybe pre match content before the games. Maybe interviews at the training ground or ones when the players arrive. Possibly some pre match content on the opposition. Just to make it more of an occasion”
“Club has done some great community work however communication from club hierarchy generally poor.”
“They could have put more fixtures on YouTube like Youth or cup or more interviews and home videos of the players like Liverpool did”
“In terms of club engagement, I feel they could be doing a lot more with the fans. However, I’m well aware that there is a team of 2 (plus PR) steering all the media/social stuff and they’ve got more than enough work to be doing at the moment as it is so I don’t want to be too critical… as they’re making the best of the situation they’re in.”
Obstacles ahead?
“When pubs etc are back open like the summer but its all on the tv i don’t think I will be watching”
“I feel disenfranchised from my club due to their Season Ticket offer which they then went back on after the event… My match going habit is broken and I dont know if it will recover; for the first time I miss playing 5-a-side more than going to a proper game”
“I fear that many will have got used to watching on TV, particularly younger fans and as Prem football was on free to air, they’re possibly less likely to follow PNE and choose a Prem club instead. Big work on filling the ground when we can fill it again. Hope the club don’t think they can get away with the poor promotional activities prior to the pandemic as it’ll take more than pulling at heart strings to entice people back regularly.”
“Hope that football stays on tv as I would prefer to watch it on the TV than go to the games”
“Football has big problems ahead in my opinion. Attendances will not recover to pre-pandemic levels for quite some time, as people will be more wary of large crowds, especially older people. I don’t live locally so a season ticket is impractical. Buying tickets on a game-by-game basis is therefore expensive and if the option of iFollow exists, it’s likely I will choose that instead (despite the poor quality service). This again will impact attendances as others do the same. The amount of revenue will reduce, as you cannot charge as much for an internet service compared to attending a live sporting event.”
Social Media Fans
“With everyone’s life on hold and pretty much everything at a halt football can be pretty much the only meaningful thing in people’s lives at the minute add that to the fact fans can’t express themselves and be there at the ground has left them feeling disconnected. Which has lead to a lot more people venting there anger on Twitter and arguing with other fans to the point where 2 fans met up for a fight on Moor Park about a transfer rumour.”
“I have lost interest through poor performances (after first lockdown), fans arguing with each other over petty things on social media and everything around the players/contracts saga.”
Lastly, a few nice ones to read…
“Utw.”
“COYW”
“Still hate Blackpool”
“From the Finney podcast is brilliant.”
Conclusion
The survey responses showed quite a variance. It came through in the responses that football has given many fans something to look forward to during what has been an exceptionally tough time in our lives whilst others have found watching on the TV to be more of a struggle. There’s no doubt a large number of us feel a lack of connection to North End with emotional ties being torn as we can’t be there to support them home and away. Many fans were complimentary of the club’s support to the community throughout the pandemic. I really echo that the PNE Community and Education Trust have done some fantastic work throughout including player/management phone calls to senior supporters and distributing essential food and mental health and wellbeing resources to those in need.
I think it’ll be encouraging for the powers that be at North End that the majority who filled in the survey do have every intention of returning as soon as we’re allowed back. Though some fans voiced concerns that there may be more effort required on the club’s part to engage with fans post-pandemic, in order to entice both new and returning fans. Additionally, some did express that the club hierarchy seemed out of touch with fans so it was a mixed bag — plenty to take on board.
Like a lot of you, I’m in the firm belief that football is more than 90 minutes. It brings us together. I’ve met a number of close friends through North End and without this our paths would have never crossed. Maybe it’s the pre-match drinks, the early train on away days, the walk to/from the ground, the weekly catch up with your family friend who you only see at the football, the half-time pie, the quality time you get to spend with your children on match days or simply getting to tick off a new ground! There’s so much good that comes alongside the drama and entertainment the game itself brings which is so greatly missed.
To echo what so many of you said: “Football is nothing without fans.” I sincerely hope all restrictions are eased as per the most recent Government announcement (at the time of writing) and we’ll be back at Deepdale for the start of next season (and pre-season!).
