EVERYONE knows football is all about the fans, and Ilkley Town are pleased they can have theirs in to come watch in a non-league world where this is not the case elsewhere.

The majority of leagues in steps 3-6, which are based in tier 3 areas, have postponed resuming their seasons with their main source of income, supporters, not allowed in.

However, for grassroots football below that level, spectators can attend matches under the 'rule of six' and by abiding social distancing rules.

This is only if both teams are in the same tier. 12 out of the 14 teams in the West Yorkshire League Premier Division are based in the region so it does not present Ilkley with much of a problem.

Town manager Simon Armstrong is just glad Town have some football to play in this crazy times.

He said: "It is a positive to us but it feels a bit strange at the next level they are not allowed fans if they are in tier 3. We are just pleased that we can play.

"The guidance says we can still have fans at are level as long as they are socially distanced and follow the guidelines. We are quite fortunate in that respect that we can still do that.

"We can’t as a team or spectators go from tier three to tier two which is challenging for teams like Boroughbridge and Knaresborough Town because they are in North Yorkshire. So it is going to be interesting if the tiers don’t change how the league manages that situation.

"We are looking forward to it. We have got a couple of games in December then the two week break over Christmas, and we just hope that we can continue playing in January."

Post-lockdown, the Baht 'atters have been keeping busy in friendly action, thumping Wakefield AFC 5-1.

Armstrong has also recruited three more players to his squad during the week.

He added: "We had an internal friendly against the second team last Wednesday so that blew the cobwebs off. We managed to get 40 players game time then.

"On Saturday (against Wakefield) it was nice to get a good workout in over a team that we don’t know. It was that extra bit of challenge and the players enjoyed it.

"Scott Stein has joined us from Steeton. He knows a couple of our players and showed an interest in moving to us.

"Then we have got Macauley Smith and Keenan Potts who are local lads. They were playing at Sherburn White Rose and Silsden under-23s.

"All add strength in depth and quality. Hopefully I might have a couple more to announce in the new year. "

Ilkley Town have already beaten this weekend's opponents Whitkirk Wanderers earlier in the season. They had to do it the hard way though, four goals in the last half hour saved them from a 2-0 defeat.

"We played them at home, and they were strong and aggressive. They made things incredibly difficult for us.

"They will be ready to make the game scrappy, it is up to us to ensure we do the right things to hopefully get the three points."