Cobblers 'can't wait to welcome you back' as club confirms plans in place for return of fans

Cobblers have released a statement confirming they will be working on a plan to welcome 2,000 season ticket holders back to the PTS Academy Stadium from December 2.

On Thursday it was announced that Northants will be placed in Tier Two when lockdown ends next week, meaning 2,000 supporters can attend home matches.

However, first the Cobblers will need to stage a pilot event, likely to be against Doncaster Rovers on December 5, with 1,000 fans in attendance. The club will conduct a ballot to determine which season ticket holders can attend.

With three successive away games following, it will not be until the visit of Lincoln City on December 19 when 2,000 fans return to the PTS.

A club statement read: "Northampton Town Football Club are delighted that, following the latest Government announcement, we will be able to welcome season ticket holders back to matches after the latest national lockdown ends on Wednesday, December 2.

"The news comes as a huge boost to both the club and our loyal season ticket holders, and we cannot wait to see you again!

"We understand supporters will have many questions and while of course all of these plans remain subject to change in line with any changes in Government restrictions at any time, we have planned for the return of season ticket holders as follows.

"In accordance with regulations from the Safety Advisory Group, the club are required to stage a pilot event with around 1,000 season ticket holders in attendance and that pilot event will be our first home fixture after the end of lockdown, the Sky Bet League One fixture with Doncaster Rovers on Saturday December 5.

"The club will conduct a ballot to determine which season ticket holders can attend the Doncaster game, and any season ticket holder not selected to attend the pilot game, will be able to attend the following home game, against Lincoln City on Saturday December 19.

"We will be contacting season ticket holders to advise in the coming days, and if you have been chosen to attend the pilot at the Doncaster Rovers game, we will have been in touch before noon on Wednesday, December 2, at the latest.

"Northampton is currently in tier 2 of Government restrictions and while we understand this will be reviewed every two weeks, under tier 2 regulations, we anticipate each season ticket holder being able to attend two out of every three home league games.

"We cannot begin to tell you how happy we are to be able to welcome you back to the PTS Academy Stadium. While we are still having to operate within carefully controlled conditions, these are huge steps forward.

"In the meantime, to hasten the day when we can welcome all supporters and season ticket holders back to all matches, please continue to follow the latest Government guidelines and let's all work to keep the infection rates as low as possible. With that in mind, a spectators Covid code of conduct for attending matches at the PTS Academy Stadium will be published ahead of the games.

"Matches will continue to be shown on iFollow for season ticket holders for the home league games they are not chosen to attend.

"Thank you again for your support and we cannot wait to see you soon!"