Preston North End fans hopes of returning to Deepdale dashed - what Michael Gove said and how it could threaten clubs' futures

The Lilywhites were in line to bring supporters back in a limited capacity for the Championship clash with Cardiff City on October 18.

October 1 had been the work-towards date for stadiums to open their doors, with the Cardiff clash being North End's first home game after that date.

However, plans for supporters to return to grounds next month have been scrapped as Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove confirmed to BBC Breakfast that the Government will put a “pause” on the reintroduction of spectators at grounds.

Gove said: "It was the case that we were looking at a staged programme for more people returning. It wasn’t going to be the case we were going to have stadiums thronged with fans.

"We’re looking at how we can, for the moment, pause that programme. What we do want to do is ensure that as and when circumstances allow, get more people back.

"The virus is less likely to spread outdoors than indoors but it is in the nature of major sporting events that there is a lot of mingling. People look back now to the beginning of the pandemic and look at some of the major sporting events then and ask the question ‘why were they allowed to go ahead’

"Well, one of the things we must do now, whatever the wisdom of decisions made then, is to look at sporting events now with caution.

"We also recognise sport is a vital part of the life of this nation and we’re looking at everything we can do in order to support our athletes and great clubs through what is a challenging time."

North End's 2-2 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road last Saturday was played in front of a 1,000 crowd.

That was one of seven pilot games in the EFL to test the return of fans and it ran smoothly.

However, the Government has reacted to a spike in cases of Covid-19 by putting the brakes on.

The fear in football and other elite sport is that clubs face huge financial hardships by this delay.

Games have been played behind closed doors since June's restart after the lockdown.

The last time North End took money at the turnstile was on March 7 against Queens Park Rangers.

Clubs who have had to manage without crowd income are at serious risk of going bust unless they get financial help.

More than 100 sporting bodies have expressed their concern about further restrictions and the need for financial aid in a letter to the to the Prime Minister.

It read: “Covid-19 has undermined our commercial revenue streams with both stadiums and leisure facilities closed or greatly reduced in capacity.

"The impact of this will potentially lead to a lost generation of sport and activity.

"We are particularly concerned about the impact on those whose participation has been limited during the pandemic. Physical activity levels, especially in the most vulnerable groups, are significantly below where they were tracking pre-Covid-19.

“Our sector will be at the forefront of your plans to improve the health and wellbeing of all communities…to solving societal issues…including reducing health inequalities, tackling obesity, cutting crime, easing loneliness, and enhancing social cohesion.

“But to do so effectively, we require your government's backing."