By GTFC season 2020/21 updates
Following a period of disruption and uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, Grimsby Town Football Club have issued a number of updates for the upcoming season.
Players and coaching staff at GTFC returned for pre-season training on Tuesday 4 August.
In line with government guidance, restrictions have on access to the site and car parks were imposed from this date.
Only scholars, players and coaching and medical staff are allowed on the training ground.
Strict health and safety protocols have also been introduced in order to to comply with EFL requirements on Covid-19 safety.
In line with this, paper programmes are no longer permitted and are likely to become digital.
The fixtures for the 2020-21 season are currently scheduled to be announced on 21 August, the club have confirmed.
These will remain subject to change in accordance with ongoing discussions between the EFL and the Premier League.
At present, the League Two season is scheduled to start on Saturday 12th September.
On Saturday 1 August, the club also launched their kit for the next season.
This was made available via the club shop during limited hours, and is now available online and for click and collect.
Whether or not fans will be permitted to return to Blundell Park for the 2020/21 season remains unclear.
The Government have said that spectators might be able to watch games from a date in October.
However, in the latest updates last week the Government announced that pilot trials of having spectators at sporting events were being halted.
This means that spectator attendance may well be halted.
A statement issued by the club says that it is working towards being ready to have fans in as soon as allowed and safe to do so.
A spokesperson added:
“It is very likely that entry to and from the stadium and the movement of people within the stadium will look quite different.
“The capacity will be reduced to a level where social distancing is possible and season ticket holders will be given priority should this reduced capacity dictate the need to limit spectators.
“If the capacity limit is below that of the number of season ticket holders then we hope that all home and away games will be available on iFollow.
“For this to happen the agreement of Sky is required because of the terms of their broadcasting agreement with the EFL.
“In addition, consent of UEFA will be needed as showing games at 3pm on a Saturday would be a breach of their Article 48.
“As soon as we are informed that this can proceed we will inform you.”
Rules for away fans may be different, however.
The club added:
“The EFL have informed us that they are intending to suspend the Regulation requiring clubs to admit away fans.
“If this happens we would not have away fans at Blundell Park as we would need all available seats for our own fans.
“What other clubs do is for them.
“We have asked the EFL to schedule local derby matches as late as possible in the season in the hope that by then larger crowds will be allowed.”
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