Sheffield Wednesday fans would feel 'comfortable' returning to Hillsborough despite coronavirus fears

Supporters have not watched Garry Monk’s team in action at S6 since the FA Cup fifth round defeat to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on March 4 due to restrictions in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The last time Wednesday played in front of spectators was at Griffin Park three days later when the Owls were thumped 5-0 by Brentford before football was suspended on March 13.

But even though fixtures resumed in June and the new season has kicked off, fans had been unable to attend league matches until the weekend when several EFL grounds welcomed 1,000 people into games as part of test events in line with Government guidelines.

Following that move, we asked Owls fans on Twitter and Facebook if they would feel comfortable being inside a football stadium given the current situation.

Just under 850 people responded to our Twitter poll, which ran for 24 hours over the weekend, with 75.1 per cent saying they would be happy to attend matches at Hillsborough and 24.9 per cent claiming they didn’t believe it would be safe.

On Twitter, Rikki Jones wrote: “Comfortable? I’d be ecstatic to get back to normal instead of being controlled by a corrupt government, and I’d happily hug everyone around me for a last minute winner.”

And on Facebook, Christopher Benjafield said he would be happy to return to games.

He said: “If you can go on a plane for four hours with a mask on with someone next to you then surely you can sit four or five seats away from someone at a football match in the open air?”

His comment was echoed by Elliot Thorpe who posted: “Definitely! Three seats, space around, get a good amount of fans in.”

But there were words of caution from others, who say they are reluctant to step foot inside a stadium while the virus is spreading within the community.

Matt Hale wrote on Twitter: “Would be chuffed to get back to Hillsborough but not until it’s safe to do so, the virus isn’t going away and enforcing masking and other regulations will be difficult even with a reduced crowd.”

And Dan Teece answered our question by saying: “Went to a game in Pontefract with 250 fans today and really enjoyed it. But there is a big difference between that and full EFL grounds. 1,000 in a 40,000 seat stadium is nothing. But if it was 10,000, I don’t think it would be safe.”

However, with a significant rise in cases across the country – including in Sheffield – and more restrictions expected to be announced in the coming days, fans may have to wait a little while longer before seeing their side in action inside a football ground.

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