This afternoon’s surprise announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out plans for a return of fans to live sporting events, with an early December date targeted as the current lockdown period appears to be coming to an end.
Chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “With the second countrywide lockdown still in place, we were as surprised as anybody to hear the news from this afternoon’s briefing.
“Media reports say that clubs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas will be permitted to allow fans to attend matches from 2 December, to be capped at crowds of 4,000 and 2,000 respectively.
“It has come as out of the blue – and we are now looking forward to seeing our supporters back with us at home games, when it’s safe, and in-line with whatever the next new set of guidelines may dictate.
“We have been contacted by the EFL already who say that although they have had numerous discussions with Government officials over the last seven days on this issue, they await formal confirmation of the Government’s position, and the details, and they will be confirming their guidelines on a return of fans as soon as they possibly can.
“This is exciting news, but we ask fans to be patient as we wait for the details which will allow us to give you the information you need.”
We will bring a further update as soon as we receive the EFL guidelines.