Charlton stadium The Valley to be used as test ground for supporters returning
Charlton’s stadium The Valley will be used for testing to model fans returning to stadiums as football aims to get supporters back in grounds for the start of next season.
Premier League and EFL clubs hope to have grounds between 30 and 50 per cent full when the 2020-21 campaign kicks off, which is likely to be September 12.
The EFL have confirmed The Valley is being used for research to help plan how supporters can be allowed in stadiums under social-distancing restrictions, with work having been ongoing for several weeks.
Working with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), the Government’s stadium safety regulator, the EFL will assess practicalities around matchday operations and measure how fans can be admitted in a safe environment. The work is being assisted by London based crowd dynamics specialists Movement Strategies.
No Charlton fans will be involved in the testing at The Valley, which has a capacity of 27,000. Cambridge United’s Abbey Stadium will also be used for testing. It is understood that The Valley was used for the work as its mix of old and new stands meant that any findings would be applicable to other grounds regardless of their age.
On average, EFL stadiums have been 60 per cent full during the 2019/20 season and it is hoped that enabling some fans back into grounds will be a financial lifeline for cash-starved clubs.
In a statement, the EFL sad: “The EFL is working with the SGSA on a joint project looking at the impact of applying social distancing to football stadia.
“As a result, work is ongoing at Charlton Athletic and Cambridge United that involves modelling the crowd dynamics of two very different football grounds. This will help us measure the potential impact on stadium capacity and better understand how clubs will need to adjust their matchday operations so that as many fans as possible can be admitted in a safe environment.
“The help and support provided by both clubs has been invaluable and will inform future guidance that will go to all clubs once the Government gives the green light for crowds to return to matches. At this stage we do not know when that will be but we continue to prepare for such an outcome.”
Read more
Bowyer reveals key factor boosting Charlton's fight against relegation
