Leigh Pomlett: Walsall may host trial for socially distanced crowds
Walsall chairman Leigh Pomlett has revealed the Banks's Stadium could be used as a trial for socially distanced crowds this month.
The plans to have distanced supporters return to football stadiums in October took a hit this week when the government announced they would review it following a rise in cases.
With a capacity of 11,300 – meaning Walsall can welcome 3,270 socially distanced fans – Pomlett has now revealed they may host a trial for the return of fans this month.
"The government have advised that October 1 is the first real date that we'll be back in the stadium in a socially distanced way, that has not changed," Pomlett said via the club's channels.
"It is probably less sure, but we have not been given another date.
"We're still planning on the basis that we'll be allowed fans back in the stadium from October 1 and may even have a trial game before that.
"That's currently how we're planning. Despite what the government has said this week, nothing has changed and no dates have changed.
"They might (change) but at the moment it has not."
Meanwhile, if the return of fans is delayed, Pomlett labelled it a 'real problem' for clubs and the uncertain financial climate they find themselves in.
"If they're not allowed back in by October, that is a real problem," he added.
"All of our financial and operational plans are based on October 1.
"If the government do move it in some form then we'll have to recast our plans.
"I am very sensitive to the fact that fans have bought season tickets. Having iFollow is good and the digital programme is some form of compensation, but it isn't coming to the stadium.
"I've asked the team here to look at this and what we would do for the fans in that circumstance, I want to be fair about that.
"We need the cash, frankly, to sustain the football club but equally I want to be fair to the fans.
"They'd bought season tickets in faith that they'd be watching football live and if they're not watching it from October 1 then we'll be having a different conversation with the fans about what we can do about that.
"The cash at the moment in the club is extremely important and I ask the fans for a great deal of patience. It's a very difficult world at the moment."
