Following a number of requests from clubs regarding earlier kick-off times during the winter months this season due to the cost of living crisis, the Toolstation NCEL have issued the following guidance.

Enquiries have been made regarding when the clocks change back to Greenwich Mean Time from the end of October about moving the start of matches to reduce the usage of floodlights.

The FA's Standardised Rules have the standard Saturday kick off time set at 3pm, but the additional wording in Rule 8.6 includes:

’All agreed changes to time of kick-off to be notified to the Board immediately for confirmation.’

Therefore, once the dark afternoons are with us, should clubs mutually agree, the Board may consider approving an alternate kick-off time.

This may also be utilised during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, to allow for clubs to host fixtures at a time that may encourage attendance to watch any World Cup match too.

Any such requests should be sent to the NCEL's General Manager Matt Jones at least three weeks before the scheduled date of the match.

Any decision made by the Board in respect of this shall be final.