Mixed news for town clubs as Government announces plan for fans' return to sporting events

Supporters are set to be allowed in to watch the Steelbacks' T20 campaign

It has been a long 12 months for the Saints, Cobblers and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club as they have dealt with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

But there does seem to now be genuine hope and optimism that supporters will be allowed to return in the not too distant future, with plans for that to happen from May 17 onwards.

Sadly, the timeframe that has been laid out is bad news for the Cobblers, as they will finish their Sky Bet League One season in the first week of May, but is better news for Saints, and in particular Northants.

The Cobblers are likely to have to play out the rest of their season behind closed doors

It is also encouraging news for the organisers of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

In his announcement to Parliament, Johnson announced that up to 10,000 fans could be back in stadia by mid-May for major events, with crowds of 4,000 or 50 per cent of capacity, whicever is fewer, for other matches.

Johnson declared that the 'turnstiles of our sports stadia will once again rotate' as part of stage three of the Government's four-point plan to get the country back to normal, which, as long as everything goes smoothly with steps one and two, will come in effect from May 17.

Saints have two home games pencilled in for Franklin's Gardens after that date, taking on Wasps on May 29 and Exeter on June 5, and as it stands they will be allowed 4,000 spectators to attend both fixtures.

Saints fans could be back at the Gardens for the final two home games of the season

As far as Northants are concerned, they will have to play their first three LV= County Championship matches behind closed doors, but should be allowed fans in for the May 20 clash with Lancashire.

More importantly for the cricket club though, the news means they should be able to fill their County Ground home to half capacity for their Vitality T20 Blast campaign, which starts with a home date against Worcestershire Rapids on Friday, June 11.

Formula One's British Grand Prix at the south Northants track of Silverstone will be staged on Sunday, July 18.

As well as spectators being allowed back in to watch sport, people will also be able to get back out there and play at grassroots level as well.

Outdoor sports including football, golf and tennis, will be allowed to resume in England from Monday, March 29, while leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools can open from April 12.

Venues such as gyms, tennis courts and golf courses have been closed across England since lockdown was announced at the turn of the year.

With regards to allowing fans back in to venues, the Government is planning to run a series of 'pilot' events for a small number of fans to attend in April.

If they are successful then 'up to 10,000 people or 25 per cent of total seated capacity, whichever is lower' will be allowed in stadiums for sporting events, but not before 17 May.

As far as national and international events go, that could mean the FA Cup final, which is planned to be staged at Wembley on May 15, will be played behind closed doors, but fans may be able to attend the conclusion of the Premier League, which is set to finish over the weekend of May 22.

The delayed Euro 2020 competition begins on June 11, with Wembley set to host seven matches, including the final on 11 July.

Wimbledon, which was cancelled in 2020 for the first time since the Second World War, is scheduled for June 28 to July 11.