Morecambe won't participate in EFL test event this weekend

Morecambe have announced they will no longer be one of the clubs participating in this weekend’s test events for the return of supporters.
Morecambe co-owener Colin Goldring (right)Morecambe co-owener Colin Goldring (right)
Morecambe co-owener Colin Goldring (right)

The Shrimps had been named earlier on Wednesday as one of 10 clubs hosting such an event.

Saturday’s home game against Cambridge United had been earmarked as a match for a trial run with a maximum of 1,000 fans in attendance.

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However, the club has released a statement saying they could not take part in the planned trial ahead of the proposed return of supporters next month.

It read: “The club is aware how keen the fans are to return to the stadium, and we are doing everything within our power to make that happen.

“A great deal of work has been done by the club on getting ready to receive fans. We are almost there but final proposals have not yet gone to the SAG (Safety Advisory Group) for approval.

“Co-owner Colin Goldring has this week put the club forward to participate in the trials confirming some further work had to be done and is grateful to the EFL for approving the game, but fan safety is of paramount importance to the club and we are just short of being ready. Final procedures are still to be submitted and signed off with the various licencing authorities.”

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Mr Goldring added: “Unfortunately we are not in a position to complete the regulatory work and get this signed off in time for this weekend’s game.

“Our staff have been working diligently for many weeks on the protocols required by the various authorities and we are almost ready for the signing off stage.

“We are confident that these issues will be resolved so that we can welcome our valued supporters back into the Mazuma Stadium early in October.

“We are sorry to disappoint supporters who may have raised hopes of attending Saturday's match, but we have to be mindful of everyone’s safety during this pandemic and abide by the various licencing protocols.”

The Morecambe-Cambridge match is the second of the 10 test games which will go back behind closed doors after Luton Town announced they were unable to host fans for their meeting with Derby County.