BRADFORD CITY AFC

City's trip to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday (September 19) has been selected as one of 10 EFL pilot fixtures. 

As part of the ongoing 'return of fans' programme, the Bantams' trip to The New Lawn will see 1,000 home spectators admitted attendance at the fixture, which is set to get underway at 3.00pm. 

In line with current guidance, crowds will be capped at a capacity of 1,000 as discussions continue with the government - regarding the return of supporters in greater numbers from October.

The move to extend the programme follows a successful pilot staged at Cambridge United last week, when fans were in attendance at a professional football match for the first time since March.

Three of this weekend's matches have each been selected from the Sky Bet Championship and Sky Bet League Two, with Sky Bet League One set to stage four pilot fixtures.

EFL chair, Rick Parry said: "It is encouraging that we are in a position to move forward with the next phase of the pilot programme and give a small number of our clubs the opportunity to welcome back up to 1,000 fans this week.

"The health and well-being of supporters and their wider communities remains the priority, but as we showed at Cambridge, social distancing can be applied safely.

"By extending across more EFL clubs, we hope to further demonstrate that the measures developed can allow fans to return in greater numbers from as early as next month.

“The requirement to welcome spectators back through turnstiles has not diminished in any way, the financial challenges facing EFL clubs have been explained on numerous occasions, they are substantial and a problem that requires immediate solutions."

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden said: "I know that many fans are eager to return to football and that jobs depend on this too, so fans will welcome news that the EFL will be running number-capped, COVID-secure, and socially-distanced pilots this weekend.

"This will help us build the evidence base to see how we can return fans safely in greater numbers as soon as it is safe to do so."

City's director of communications and commercial, Ryan Sparks, said: "This is clearly a very positive step in terms of bringing supporters back to football - in stadiums. 

"We are delighted for Forest Green Rovers and wish them the very best in ensuring Saturday's fixture proves a successful trial event. 

"Those of us in attendance on Saturday will be looking on with keen interest and, hopefully, this weekend will prove the start of supporters' formal return to football matches."

PLEASE NOTE: Fixtures selected as part of the EFL's pilot programme will not admit any travelling supporters into stadia, and will apply for HOME FANS ONLY.  

City supporters can ensure they do not miss a minute of Saturday's action by purchasing a £10 iFollow video match pass by CLICKING HERE.