Curle can't wait to experience the 'match day buzz' as Cobblers supporters return to the PTS

Supporters will be allowed back into the home of the Cobblers for the first time since early March when Town take on Doncaster Rovers in Sky Bet League One.

A total of 1,000 season ticket holders are the lucky ones to have had their names drawn out of a ballot, and they will start filtering through the gates at Sixfields from 1.45pm ahead of the 3pm kick-off.

And although it is still going to be a somewhat surreal experience, and nothing like it was before the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything, Curle says that the fact there will be fans in the ground, and reaction and noise coming from the stands is going to be special.

Asked about what difference it will make having fans in the ground as opposed to playing behind closed doors as the Cobblers have been all season, Curle said: "The build up is completely different.

"Before, I would drive into the ground and you turn up and there is a buzz.

"So what we have had to do as a football club, and as a coaching department, is create our own buzz, our own focus, our own mentality, our own environment.

"When fans were allowed in the players would come in, they would do their warm-up, and then the hairs would be standing up on the back of their neck when they are standing in the tunnel and you go out and get the reception from the supporters.

"Even in the warm-up, you can see the fans coming in and the terraces and stands starting to fill up, and we have had to try and recreate that in our own way.

"Sometimes it is about the team talk, sometimes it's the music that is played in the dressing room, we have to create a different environment leading up to kick off on a match day.

"So I can't wait to see the fans back."

Writing in the online matchday programme for the Doncaster game, Curle added: "A matchday without supporters is not the same.

"We miss the buzz of the build up, we miss the anticipation, the atmosphere, the edge that havign supporters in the stadium brings, and it will be great to have some of you back this afternoon.

"Supporters are vital to the passionate experience that football is.

"We have missed you hugely since last march, and it will make such a difference to have you back.

"Welcome home, and thank you for your support."