EFL announce 10 pilot fixtures with 1,000 fans in attendance

Decision follows a successful pilot at Cambridge

Kenilworth Road will host 1,000 fans this weekend (Getty)

Ten Football League clubs will be permitted to admit spectators, at a capacity of 1,000, into matches this weekend as part of the ongoing fans pilot programme, the EFL has announced.

The EFL has confirmed 10 clubs - three in the Championship, four in League One and three in League Two - will be permitted to admit spectators as part of the ongoing 'return of fans' pilot programme.

The move follows a successful pilot at Cambridge last week.

The games concerned are Luton v Derby, Norwich v Preston and Middlesbrough vs Bournemouth in the Championship, Charlton vs Doncaster, Blackpool vs Swindon, Shrewsbury vs Northampton and Hull vs Crewe in League One and Forest Green vs Bradford, Carlisle vs Southend and Morecambe v Cambridge in League Two.

The EFL has been anxious to get supporters back into games to protect the financial wellbeing of its clubs.

Games have been played behind closed doors since the new season commenced under Government restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic.

EFL chair Rick Parry said: "It's encouraging that we are in a position to move forward with the next phase of the pilot programme and give a small number of our clubs the opportunity to welcome back up to a 1,000 fans this week."

PA