Ground closures affecting mental health of fans, says Batley Bulldogs coach Craig Lingard

The Bulldogs had their 2020 campaign cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic but with no clear date for the return of fans, the 2021 season is still without a start date.

Lingard is frustrated by the inconsistencies in coronavirus policies, with cafes, bars and restaurants allowed to open while sports clubs are being expected to operate without supporters.

This weekend’s Challenge Cup final will be played in a virtually empty Wembley stadium and Lingard has called for a more sensible approach to be adopted for the safe return of crowds.

“Like everybody else, I am just really confused by the inconsistencies. I could go to Pizza Hut, Starbucks and Krispy Kreme and be around a lot of people but cannot sit in an open, outside venue,” he said.

“You can track and trace and social distance easily and have designated entrances and exits. You can do it as safely as going to McDonalds or going to a coffee shop.

“I don’t think the people in power understand the severity for clubs who could go out of business.

“There needs to be a sensible approach to it and to allow people to start coming in, on a safe basis.

“You could start with 10 per cent capacity and increase it by five per cent every week, if it is safe, up to 25 per cent capacity. To say you can’t have fans in at an outside venue full stop, I just think it is ludicrous.”

The Bulldogs head coach believes that every second-tier club could survive a season with grounds at a quarter capacity.

The only exception would likely be Bradford Bulls, who are currently playing at Dewsbury Rams’ Tetley’s Stadium.

He added: “Having 25 per cent capacity would be bigger than what our average crowd is anyway.

“Even if they said we could have 10 per cent capacity, we could get 750 people in. That would cover most of our games apart from when teams like Featherstone, Leigh and Bradford visit because they have a big away following.

“It is wider than sport and the club itself, it is about people’s mental health and getting them out. For the wider community that is a big issue.

“Clubs would cope with 25 per cent capacity for a season, without a doubt.

“You even look at the likes of Leigh, who have got a good following, but even at their stadium you could get all their fans in because they never open all four sides of the ground.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you, James Mitchinson. Editor.