Football fans could be allowed back into stadiums for the start of next season.

There are hopes teams, including Gillingham in League 1, could be back in action in September. The FA recently told non-league clubs to also prepare for a possible September return.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden spoke at the government’s daily coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, the day that Premier League football returned. The remaining 92 games are being played behind closed doors.

Championship football and the League 2 play-offs are also taking place this week and League 1 play-offs are to be played soon after. These matches will also be played without fans inside the stadiums.

The big fear for lower league clubs is not having fans in the ground when football resumes for the 2020/21 season and thus not having the much-needed gate receipts.

Fans and clubs will have been given hope when listening to Mr Dowden’s comments. He said that there were intensive discussions taking place around the subject of fans watching football.

Mr Dowden said: "I would really hope that by the return of the new season we might be in a position whereby some fans could start to return to stadiums.

“I know that would be another important part of restoring the financial position of clubs.”

The return of professional football this week he said was “an important step forward” and “a boost for our football loving nation”

He also spoke about his hopes of sport more widely returning, from next month.

He said: “Sports recovery was not just about elite sports, I know that countless people are itching to get back to their gyms and leisure centres and five-a-side league and all the other normal fitness activities.

“We are working closely with sector to get grassroots and community sports back up and run as soon as is it is safe to do so, at the start of July at the very earliest.”

He added that “the return of elite sport has provided a model to follow and one that is based on close partnership working with the government, sport and the medics to bring it back safely.”

Gillingham’s last home game was at the end of February. They are hoping to hear about a potential start date for 2020/21 soon.

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