A whole season without fans could be 'catastrophic', warns Doncaster Rovers' Darren Moore as he welcomes EFL pilot events

DARREN MOORE has warned that the consequences of playing an entire season without fans could be "catastrophic" for countless Football League clubs.
DOORS OPEN: Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Moore hopes this weekend's EFL pilot events will be a success. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images.DOORS OPEN: Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Moore hopes this weekend's EFL pilot events will be a success. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images.
DOORS OPEN: Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Moore hopes this weekend's EFL pilot events will be a success. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images.

The Doncaster Rovers manager has welcomed the introduction of the EFL's pilot events this weekend, where 1,000 fans will be permitted to attend a handful of fixtures across the Championship, League One and League Two.

Rovers' trip to Charlton Athletic is one game that will be played in front of fans, although no away supporters will be permitted to attend.

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League One and Two clubs returned to action for the first time at the end of August and start of September after seven months without a competitive fixture.

The Doncaster manager has urged supporters to follow the guidelines that will be set out and hopes this weekend's pilot events will be a success, admitting some clubs will not survive a complete campaign behind closed doors.

"The fans will be excited to get back in there, so I think it will be good," said Moore.

"Come Saturday, even though the fans are asked to come they still need to play their part; adhering to the rules, turning up on time and staying in a specific spot during the game if they are asked to.

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"If the fans can conduct themselves in that right manner then it goes a long way.

PILOT EVENT: Charlton Athletic's stadium will welcome 1,000 fans for tomorrow's fixture with Doncaster Rovers. Picture:  Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.PILOT EVENT: Charlton Athletic's stadium will welcome 1,000 fans for tomorrow's fixture with Doncaster Rovers. Picture:  Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.
PILOT EVENT: Charlton Athletic's stadium will welcome 1,000 fans for tomorrow's fixture with Doncaster Rovers. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

"On the other side of things, if there is a spike or a second wave which causes there to be shutdown then it would obviously be catastrophic for league clubs at this level to sustain a whole season without fans.

"Clubs at this level will all be impacted largely if supporters cannot come back in regularly over the course of the season. It is that damaging for us at this level."

Doncaster have a "clean bill of health" ahead of tomorrow's trip to the Addicks.

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Charlton were relegated from the Championship last season but opened their League One campaign with a 2-0 win at Crewe Alexandra.

Rovers drew 1-1 with MK Dons on their return to league action and Moore knows his side will need to be at 100 per cent to come away with a positive result on Saturday.

He said: "It is going to be a tough game, we know Charlton are a good team.

"They have just dropped down from the Championship so they have got some wonderful players and they are a strong team.

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"We know going to the Valley that we are going to have to be at our best. We are just focusing on the game and making sure we perform to the best of our abilities."

On any further potential comings and goings at Rovers, Moore added: "There has been nothing at all this week.

"It is just all about focusing on this weekend and getting the team prepared."

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