Football finally gets its fans back

Clubs will at long last welcome their supporters back inside stadiums this week and for those in the game it’s not a moment too soon

A general view of football fans inside a stadium (Getty Images)

"We've been waiting for a long, long time".

As pubs and restaurants and cinemas and concert venues open their doors once again, so too do Premier League football grounds with supporters at last set to return to stadiums this week.

As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so sagely noted it has been a long time coming as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 21,000 were welcomed inside Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final at the weekend and the wall of noise that greeted Youri Tielemans' thunderous winner hitting the back of the net was a sound for sore ears.

Even the howls of anguish from the Chelsea end at Ben Chilwell's would-be equaliser being denied by VAR was something to be savoured for those who haven't heard such emotion in so long.

Now it's everyone else's turn with the final two rounds of the 2020/21 season shifted to move in line with the government's latest easing of restrictions.

Manchester United have endured a more difficult relationship with their supporters than most over the last few weeks with protests against the Glazer family's ownership of the club first forcing the match with Liverpool to be postponed and then threatening to delay the rearranged one.

But Solskjaer is nonetheless hopeful that the return of fans inside Old Trafford can prove a positive for his team as the season draws to a close.

"Of course the last couple of home games, especially the Liverpool ones with the protests... it's never nice to see a club that is not united, fans with the team, so we're hoping that Tuesday is going to be a positive day that we move together, that we play a good game of football," he said.

It has been a difficult few weeks for Manchester United (Getty Images)

"That's my job to prepare the team to play well and that they enjoy the day because that's important that we get back and enjoy being together. I think the mood in any club and the relationship between the team and the fans is vital to what happens on the pitch.

"The players are all human beings, we're all human beings, and we will react to getting our supporters back in a positive way. They have always been giving us extra energy and hopefully the players will give the fans a reason to cheer and that's what we have to focus on."

Southampton enjoy an altogether more amicable connection with their home faithful who they will welcome inside St Mary's to the tune of 8,000.

"There is no question that football is nothing without fans," boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said. "It was too long now missing them and we are really happy that we can get 8,000 now. It will be an amazing atmosphere tomorrow I think, because 8,000 is a huge number.

"I think last time we had 2,000 and there was also a very good feeling, so 8,000 will be massive for us and a good first step so as not to overload us. This is a special moment for every player and especially when you start it with a home game, it can definitely push you."

For some the benefits of having fans back will be too little, too late, however.

West Bromwich Albion's relegation from the top flight is already confirmed with their support only getting to wave them off for a return to the Championship when they finally get to go back inside the Hawthorns on Wednesday.

For Sam Allardyce it's a case of what might have been had his side been backed from the stands all season long.

"Hopefully it'll be massive, when they run out they get lifted by the fans and get the hairs sticking up on the back of their necks because it's been so long since they experienced some fan atmosphere," he said ahead of the game with West Ham. "The thrill for the payers, hearing some fans getting behind the team will hopefully be the difference for them. I think they'll be pleased to be back and have the chance to support the team. What might have been had they been here, many of the draws we had - we might have got over the line with their support and lift."

That lift may not help West Brom beat the drop but will be welcomed by a league and clubs starved of what make them who they are for so long.