POTTERS PLANNING AHEAD
Hard work in progress to enable fans to return when green light is given
STOKE City continue to work behind the scenes on every eventuality as they prepare for the expected return of supporters next season.
The Government’s road map out of Covid restrictions means that Stoke and all clubs should be able to open the turnstiles again in 2021/22 after 12 months of behind closed doors football.
Stoke hope to put season tickets on sale soon after consultation with the fans’ council about what might be required, or to offer, as things start to return to normality.
Clubs across the country are considering ‘season ticket holidays’ where fans who do not feel ready or comfortable enough to go back can reserve their seat for 2022/23.
There has also been talk about offering more facilities outside concourses, whether spectators will need to wear face masks as they head to their seats or during games and if matches can still be offered on live streams.
Angela Smith, chairwoman of Stoke’s fans’ council, said: “The main thing supporters want to know at the moment is what the situation will be when fans are allowed back. It looks like we’re getting to that point, but we might know more after the last match of the Premier League season or certainly the European Championships.
“At the moment football clubs don’t know any more than most of us are being told in the Government briefings because there are so many things that can still happen between now and August.
“The vaccination roll out is going well, however, and I know that Stoke are working very hard behind the scenes to cover every eventuality. “From talking to supporters, it seems like we are currently split into two camps. One camp just can’t wait to get back and the other might have found other things to do and they might pick and choose matches more than they did previously. “Personally, I think when it comes around to the first game of the season and we see Stoke fans making that old walk up to the ground again there will be a lot of people who won’t want to miss out.” Stoke have now played 51 matches behind closed doors, plus another two at Wycombe and Queens Park Rangers in front of strictly limited crowds of 1,000 and 2,000 respectively. Smith, pictured, said: “The players of all clubs have done well to keep churning out football. “I’ve found the last 10 days quite strange without football except internationals and it makes you realise how much it has helped mental health during such a trying year.”
Stoke are planning to hold another virtual Q&A session between players and fans after evenings with Tyrese Campbell and Nathan Collins and then John Coates, Tony Scholes and Michael O’neill were well received. Harry Souttar and Steven Fletcher will be next up on Thursday, April 15, fielding questions for 90 minutes or so live on Youtube.