'A kick in the teeth' - Grant McCann reacts to decision not to allow fans into Hull City's clash with Crewe Alexandra

The Tigers were set to play out their opening home League One fixture in front of a small crowd after seeing an application to participate in a pilot scheme, which would permit them to host up to 1,000 spectators in the KCOM Stadium, accepted by the Football League (EFL).

But, with the area's Covid-19 infection rate currently on the rise, Hull City Council Public Health were unable to sign off on the proposal, dashing the club's hopes.

"It's a bit of a kick in the teeth not to have the fans there considering we know that the death-rates in other places are a lot higher than in Hull, so that's disappointing," McCann said.

"It would have been nice for everybody [to allow spectators in], because I think everyone is craving fans coming back into the stadiums - I know I am. I've said it numerous times, football is nothing without fans.

"Fans are desperate to get to the matches, they're watching on their computer screens and I'm sure everyone is getting sick of it, but it is what it is, we can't do anything about it. We abide by the rules."

City last played a match at the KCOM with supporters in attendance on February 29, and McCann admitted that he has been worrying about how long clubs can survive without gate receipts.

"The game needs fans back, and football clubs need it," he added.

"It's going to be interesting to see what happens if fans don't come back in sooner rather than later because I don't know how football clubs can survive.

"It's just a real expense in terms of what the clubs are having to do and it's affecting everybody, so the quicker the better, for me, but obviously only when safe to do so."

Julia Weldon, director of public health at Hull City Council, said that she understood that the decision to deny supporters the chance to attend City's showdown with Hull would leave people disappointed, but insisted that it was the right thing to do.

“In order for the proposed ‘return of fans’ pilot match to go ahead at the Hull City vs Crewe Alexandra game at the KCOM Stadium this Saturday, it was necessary to meet 10 public event assessment criteria, established by the Association of Directors of Public Health.

“The first of these states that there can be no significant increase in the area’s coronavirus infection rate ahead of an event. Unfortunately, the rate in Hull currently stands at 15.3 infections per 100,000 people, up from 4.2 per 100,000 people last week.

"Consequently, on the grounds of public health and public safety, this pilot cannot go ahead and the game will have to be played without fans in attendance.

“We appreciate this decision will be disappointing for many but, in the current circumstances, it is the safest and most appropriate decision and has been made in the best interests of our residents and our visitors.”