Walsall Football Club will begin the 2020-21 season behind closed doors with our first competitive fixture set to take place on Saturday 5th September against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
This is a new situation for everyone involved and we understand supporters will have a number of queries.
Below are a number of frequently asked questions and answers which we hope will give Saddlers fans a bit more clarity about what behind closed doors football will look like at the Banks's Stadium.
- Will supporters be able to attend?
Supporters will not be able to attend behind closed doors matches or gather around the Banks’s Stadium under any circumstances.
- Where will I be able to watch behind closed doors matches?
The EFL plan to broadcast all matches live on iFollow as they did for the conclusion of the 2019-20 Championship season. Season Ticket holders will receive free access to home league matches on iFollow as part of their season ticket.
Should a league game be broadcast live on Sky Sports, season ticket holders will still have free access to the stream.
- Can non season ticket holders access iFollow?
Supporters will be able to purchase match passes. Match passes will be priced at £10.
The iFollow section on the club website will also be updated once passes are available. Visit https://www.saddlers.co.uk/ifollow/
- Will season ticket holders also have free access to away games on iFollow?
Away matches will not be included in season ticket offerings. We encourage supporters to buy a match pass for away matches as after the first 500 passes are sold, we as the away club will then benefit from any further sales.
- Will the club be producing a matchday programme for BCD matches?
The club will produce a matchday programme for the behind closed doors matches. We plan to produce a digital copy and a number of printed programmes as well. Season Ticket holders will receive a free digital copy of all home league programmes.
Anyone who wishes to purchase a printed programme will be able to order in advance for delivery by matchday. For any other enquiries about programmes, please email paul.joannou@walsallfc.co.uk
We hope to have a further update on pricing and how to purchase a programme soon.
- When will supporters be allowed to return to the stadium?
As it stands, no firm date has been confirmed for supporters to return. Prime Minister Boris Johnson earmarked the October 1st as a possible date for the return of socially-distanced crowds.
Our preparations to welcome back supporters are well underway. We have surveyed season ticket holders to ascertain who is in their social bubble so we can allocate seats accordingly.