NON-LEAGUE clubs breathed a collective sigh of relief as new rules spared football from being affected by more Covid restrictions.

There had been fears the government’s three-tier system for edging closer to lockdown could include a stop to non-professional sport in the worst-affected areas but play can continue in front of limited crowds under most circumstances.

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Clubs below National North and South are allowed admit up to 30 per cent of the lowest capacity for the level they play at, subject to further restrictions by local authorities.

Worcester City and Worcester Raiders are allowed 300 people in – 30 per cent of the 1,000 minimum capacity for leagues at their levels – although City’s Midland Football League Premier Division clash at Coventry United on Wednesday will be played behind closed doors due to it also being the home of clubs deemed as elite.

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Elite status, which is shared by Worcester Warriors, means no fans are allowed in. 

That covers football's top six levels, from the Premier League down to all National League divisions as well as the top two levels of women's football. 

Worcestershire is currently in the medium category, meaning many of the national restrictions remain unchanged but much of the West Midlands, where most of the clubs City and Raiders play against are based, has been graded as high risk alongside much of the north and areas of the East Midlands.

Areas of Merseyside are currently very high risk which brings with it the possibility of additional restrictions from local councils that could affect the ability to stage non-professional sport.