Why supporters will not be able to attend Harrogate Town's first-ever 'home' fixture as an EFL club

Simon Weaver's side entertain Walsall at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, and EFL teams have been given the go-ahead to allow up to 1,000 supporters into grounds this weekend as part of a pilot scheme aimed at assessing the feasibility of spectators returning to sporting events.

Town had until Tuesday to submit an application to participate in the pilot, but have been unable to do so

"We had planned to apply, but obviously we are playing at Doncaster Rovers' ground and their operations manager is on sick leave at the moment, so it won't be possible this Saturday," managing director Garry Plant revealed.

"It's a shame because we would have loved to have had fans in the ground if it were possible - we are desperate to get them back in.

"Take Saturday at Southend for example, it was the perfect performance, the perfect way to start the season, the only thing missing was the fans.

"If it is possible to apply to have supporters in the stadium at our next home fixture, then we will certainly do so."

Despite the recent spike in confirmed coronavirus cases, a planned return of spectators to sporting events is scheduled for October 1, with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden set to hold further discussions with sporting bodies later this week.

Town, who kicked off their debut season in League Two with a 4-0 rout of Southend United, are playing their first few 'home' fixtures in Doncaster as work continues on their own pitch, where their old artificial 3G surface has been replaced by grass.