Government confirms Cobblers fans won't be able to return next month

Hopes of seeing Cobblers fans back in the PTS Academy Stadium next month appear to have been dashed after the government announced their intention to 'pause' the planned return of supporters.

Northampton's fixture at Shrewsbury on Saturday was one of seven pilot events staged by the EFL as fans returned to stadiums for the first time since March.

The event at New Meadow was deemed a success by the local safety authority but despite that, it seems the target of having supporters back in grounds on a permanent basis by October 1st will not be met.

In addition, no further pilot events are likely to be held at a time where the number of coronavirus cases is rising rapidly. The plans will be temporarily shelved, with government minister Michael Gove confirming the prgramme has been ‘paused’.

He told BBC Breakfast: “It was the case that we were looking at a staged programme of more people returning, it wasn't going to be the case that we were going to have stadiums thronged with fans.

“We're looking at how we can for the moment pause that programme. But what we do want to do is to make sure is that as and when circumstances allow get more people back. We have to look at sporting events with caution."

Some reports have suggested that this is unlikely to be a temporary pause, and could stretch into 2021, but that has not been confirmed. Boris Johnson will lay out his plans for the coming months after a meeting with government officials on Tuesday morning.

More than 100 sporting bodies have expressed their concern about further restrictions and the need for financial aid to the Prime Minister in a letter.

It read: “Covid-19 has undermined our commercial revenue streams with both stadiums and leisure facilities closed or greatly reduced in capacity.

"The impact of this will potentially lead to a lost generation of sport and activity.

"We are particularly concerned about the impact on those whose participation has been limited during the pandemic. Physical activity levels, especially in the most vulnerable groups, are significantly below where they were tracking pre-Covid-19.

“Our sector will be at the forefront of your plans to improve the health and wellbeing of all communities…to solving societal issues…including reducing health inequalities, tackling obesity, cutting crime, easing loneliness, and enhancing social cohesion.

“But to do so effectively, we require your government's backing.”