Harrogate Town AFC have said that the EFL League Two fixture on Saturday 5 December 2020 will be used as a test event.
Harrogate is due to play against Forest Green Rovers, at The EnviroVent Stadium and will be the first match to feature crowds since the first lockdown.
A spokesperson for Harrogate Town AFC said:
This will mean operating at a much lower capacity than usual, to ensure social distancing can be adhered to, and to practice our COVID safe procedures outside, upon entry to, and whilst inside the stadium.
In order to be permitted to use the fixture as a ‘test event’ we are awaiting approval from the EFL, the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) and local Safety Advisory Group (SAG).
A huge effort has gone into creating a ‘COVID secure’ EnviroVent Stadium, including creating one way systems, additional hand sanitising areas and signage all around the spectator areas.
For the test event, we will only be permitted to open the new Main Stand*, along with the Car Park terrace along the same side. This means that we will only be able to permit ST deposit purchasers on the 5th December. No general sale tickets will be made available for the fixture, nor will any further ST deposits be sold until further notice.
All ST deposit purchasers who have reserved standing tickets will be issued a ticket for the Car Park terrace for the ‘test event’.
*All ST deposit purchasers who have reserved a seated ticket, will be issued a seat in either the new Main Stand, or the Wetherby Road overspill seating.
As per EFL and government regulations, we can allow ST deposit holders who live in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 designated area to attend the fixture on Saturday. Unfortunately, we will not be able to permit anyone who lives in a Tier 3 designated area.
We are hopeful that supporters living in current Tier 3 areas will be able to return to fixtures in due course, should the restrictions be eased and/or change.
We will continue to communicate our full COVID match day plans and protocols throughout the week, and hope to get confirmation that the fixture can be played in front of limited supporters to you as soon as possible.
We ask you to continue to be patient whilst we go through all the necessary work with the authorities.
We have now contacted all ST deposit purchasers via email, and continue to make contact with those who we cannot reach on email via telephone before Friday 4 December.
Please note our phone lines will be taken up by outgoing calls this week, so we will not be able to receive incoming calls.
We will ensure we contact every ST deposit purchaser by Friday 4 December.
We are hopeful that should the test event be a success, we may be able to increase the capacity at future games.
Supporters unable to attend Saturday’s fixture can continue to watch the action via our streaming service.
Harrogate Town have given their thanks for continued patience and support.
