NON-LEAGUE clubs are hopeful they will be able to pick up from where they left off at the start of next month.

Sides in the Northern Premier League and North West Counties League are set to return to action on December 5 when lockdown restrictions are lifted.

It is also expected that fans will be able to attend games under certain restrictions, as was the case for the opening weeks of the season.

Final details are still to be clarified with the FA indicating on Monday that supporters would be allowed to attend ‘non-elite’ football “in line with Covid-secure guidance for each tier”.

It comes as clubs at ‘elite’ level will have their capacity capped depending on which tier they are in.

Limits will be set at 4,000 in tier one and 2,000 in tier two with games in tier three areas to be played behind closed doors, as has been the case for Premier League, EFL and National League football this season.

But ‘non-elite’ competition was treated differently ahead of the second national lockdown being introduced from November 5 and that looks set to be the case again.

Crowd limits were set depending on the division a side played in.

In the Pitching in Northern Premier League Premier Division, Radcliffe could have crowds of up to 600 fans, dropping to 400 in the North West Division for Ramsbottom and 300 for phoenix club Bury AFC and Prestwich Heys in the North West Counties League First Division North.

The FA said statement read: “We are delighted to see the beginning of the safe return of fans in stadiums for elite sports events and confirmation that spectators at non-elite sports will be able to attend events in line with Covid-secure guidance for each tier.”

As a result of the month-long hiatus it looks as though both the Northern Premier League and North West Counties Leagues will look to extend their seasons pending FA approval.

The conclusion of the NPL season is set to move from May 8 until May 22 with play-offs the following bank holiday weekend. The NWCL want to play on until June.