Shrewsbury Town FC to welcome 1,000 fans for match against Northampton Town

The EFL has approved the fixture as a pilot event for the safe return of fans. Credit: PA

Around a thousand fans are expected to pour into Shrewbury Town FC tomorrow (September 19) for the match against Northampton Town.

It comes after the English Football League approved the fixture as a pilot event for the safe return of fans.

It'll be the first time fans have been allowed back into the ground since lockdown. The club initially wanted to open all four stands at Montgomery Waters Meadow but numbers have now been limited to 1000.

The number of fans attending the game will be limited to 1000 Credit: PA

Authorities remain in conversation with the government over the possibility of getting more fans into grounds from next month and Culture secretary Oliver Dowden is meeting with sporting bodies later this week to discuss the planned return of spectators from October 1.

An EFL statement confirmed: "Ten EFL clubs will be permitted to admit spectators into Sky Bet League matches this weekend as part of the ongoing ‘return of fans’ pilot programme."

Other matches that are allowed to host spectators this weekend include:

Championship 

  • Luton Town v Derby County

  • Norwich City v Preston North End

  • Middlesbrough v AFC Bournemouth

League One 

  • Charlton Athletic v Doncaster Rovers

  • Blackpool v Swindon Town

  • Shrewsbury Town v Northampton Town

  • Hull City v Crewe Alexandra

League Two 

  • Forest Green Rovers v Bradford City

  • Carlisle United v Southend United

  • Morecambe v Cambridge United