Harrogate Town given thumbs up for 400 to 500 fans to return against Forest Green Rovers

The Sulphurites will be the only Yorkshire team allowed that privilege this weekend, although some sides will play in front of fans away from home.

A limited number of supporters have been able to return from matches since Wednesday, when England emerged from its second Covid-19 lockdown but only in Tier 2, where numbers are capped at 2,000.

Tier 2 Harrogate will have fewer still as Saturday's game is being treated as a test event, so capacity will be limited to around 400 to 500 season ticket deposit holders. It will be the first Football League game Harrogate have played in front of fans after confirmation was given on Thursday afternoon that the relevant authorities had given their approval.

Town were promoted to the fourth tier for the first time in the summer after winning the Conference play-off final against Notts County.

Initial matches were played at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium whilst a grass pitch was fitted at Wetherby in line with League regulations, but all games this season have been played behind closed doors.

Yorkshire's remaining league clubs are all in Tier 3 areas, where fans are still not allowed. However Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster all play in Tier 2 on Saturday, away to Chelsea, Norwich City and Northampton Town respectively. Only home fans are allowed to attend these matches.

The tiers are expected to be reviewed on December 16.

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