RUSS Penn says he’s desperate for Harriers fans to be back at Aggborough as the club awaits news on the start of the new season.
Government advice coupled with Football Association guidance released over the weekend has suggested that the season at this level might commence during September.
While that’s far from a definite, it at last gives clubs something to work with, along with the hope that further clarity will be on its way soon in respect of a start date, pre-season and all other manner of things.
When football does return for Harriers, it’s also not yet a given that the Aggborough faithful will be allowed to return to the ground to witness it.
It is very much the gaffer’s hope, though, that the Reds will need to enter little or no action without their army of support – insisting that the green light will likely signal a surge in excitement.
“It’s got to be - it needs to happen,” Penn told the club’s YouTube channel, when asked about wanting fans back in the ground.
“I think we’ll understand if it’s a week or two but anything longer than that, the league will have to take note.
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“They understand that teams at our level, Step One and Step Two, that we need fans in the ground, so we’re all on the same wavelength.
"...our players are itching to get back out there..." Russ Penn
“The one thing I will say to the fans, as we’ve said before – when it comes, the announcement that you are allowed fans back in, it’s gonna be ‘wallop, bang, let’s go!’
“It’s all gonna happen really quick.”
National League North action has returned in a fashion over the last few days, with the 2019/20 play-offs now underway.
Altrincham and Gateshead have already advanced to the next stage of the play-offs, the latter seeing off Brackley in thrilling style thanks to penalties.
Russ said seeing non-league football back has helped fuel the desire to get cracking even further.
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“It feels a little bit more normal now,” he said.
“It’s a bit surreal when you see them and there’s no noise around as it seems like a park game.
“But the feeling is definitely getting back, and our players are itching to get back out there and get back on the grass.”