MX23RW : Friday, January 10 05:17:00| >> :120:62523:62523:

Delia Smith asks Boris Johnson to allow fans back into stadiums

A planned reintroduction of supporters to grounds from October 1 was scrapped amid concerns about a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Norwich's joint majority shareholder Delia Smith has asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to allow "a percentage" of fans back into stadiums in an open letter published on the club's official website.

A planned reintroduction of supporters to grounds from October 1 was scrapped amid concerns about a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Norwich's Carrow Road had hosted a pilot on September 19, with a crowd of 1,000 in attendance as the team drew 2-2 with Preston.

Smith's letter to the Prime Minister said: "Please, please can you make a decision to allow just a percentage of football supporters into the ground to watch games.

"Grown up logic tells us what even the scientists must agree with: temperature checks, with supporters two metres apart, hand sanitising, masks, and so much empty space, distancing and open air has to be perfectly safe, and what's more it's a far better option than six round a table watching a match inside."

Smith said what had happened at Carrow Road on September 19 had "worked like a dream."

She added: "Looking ahead to the possibility and consequences of smaller clubs ceasing to exist, we need to remind ourselves that football is one of the last bastions of what it means to be community in contemporary life.

"How many times do we hear the words 'stronger together'? It gives the young a sense of belonging, no need to join a gang. It also manages to transcend colour, racism, class and age.

"Clubs at the heart of communities are saving the government and the taxpayer some of the high costs of youth crime. Whilst the charitable Football Foundations working alongside the clubs make an enormous contribution to those in most need in the communities they serve. Again, saving the taxpayer.

"What we all need is good news, hope and what you could get is a whole stash of brownie points.

"England invented the beautiful game, which has become much more than that. An unsung gem that makes an enormous contribution to our society at no cost.

"Please Prime Minister, before the final whistle is blown, can we have our football back?"

The letter concluded with "PS: Let me know if ever you want tickets to a game."

ID:420290: cacheID:420290:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3440:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brentford manager Thomas Frank pictured on September 16, 2020
Read Next:
Brentford manager Thomas Frank bemoans "very random" Norwich goal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley26141023192252
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland26148439221750
5Middlesbrough26118743321141
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2511682823539
8Bristol City2691073330337
9Watford25114103536-137
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2577112840-1228
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Portsmouth2458113041-1123
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Cardiff CityCardiff2558122540-1523
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2548132453-2920


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!