Whitstable will play Deal Town at home in a friendly on Saturday 12 December at 2 p.m. The pitch is very wet after the recent rain, but we are hoping the game will go ahead.

Deal had a good win on their return to football in the FA Vase last week, beating Southern Combination League leaders Saltdean United on penalties – the Sussex team’s squad contained a number of Chichester City players. The game at the Belmont Ground was arranged to be played behind closed doors in line with Tier 3 restrictions.

Updated guidelines were then published by the FA yesterday, permitting the return of limited numbers of home spectators to the grounds of clubs at Steps 3-6 in Tier 3. For Whitstable that would mean a maximum capacity of 200, although the clubhouse and tea hut must remain closed.
More details can be found here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/dec/10/update-for-non-elite-fans-in-tier-3-101220

Given the timing of the announcement and the current situation in Kent, it would be difficult to ensure that all of the necessary arrangements could be put in place to be ready to welcome spectators to the Deal friendly tomorrow and also unfair on our volunteers. However, should any of our season ticket holders wish to attend the game, they will be able to do so but must strictly adhere to the current social distancing guidelines whilst in the ground.

It is anticipated that further announcements will be made in the coming days with regard to the possible resumption of league football.