There was never going to be a way of pleasing everyone.
In fact, you always knew that it was going to end in Tiers for different clubs across the country.
But at least some fans are allowed back into football stadiums from next week with other sports quickly following suit depending on which area they are in.
Sadly, no clubs are in Tier One so the maximum number of fans any team is allowed are 2,000 fans – and yet some will end up having no supporters allowed back at all.
It does not seem fair that one club can get some much needed support, others will have to carry on playing in empty stadiums and you can add it to the long list compiled by clubs complaining about an uneven playing field.
First, we had neutral venues, then five substitutes and also TV scheduling with the haves and the have nots insisting they were being hard done by.
Now, it is not about how wealthy you are but where you are as Liverpool will welcome back 2,000 fans to Anfield but the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle will have to keep them locked out.
The fans are not just the lifeblood of football but they also provide the atmosphere, the buzz, the extra energy and support for the players when they are running out of energy.
It is often that extra bit of noise, that extra roar of the crowd which can suddenly spur a team on to a last minute winner, a dramatic fightback and late drama.
No wonder Ole Gunnar Solskjaer complained about Old Trafford missing fans more than most because back in Fergie’s glory days they would talk about the Manchester United fans sucking the ball into the net.
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Now, United can play away from home with fans cheering the home team – and play at home in an eerily silent Old Trafford.
Football is a game where small margins make a huge difference and even 2,000 fans can surely help which is why the feeling of it not being fair has led to complaints.
Arsenal will be the first Premier League team to welcome back fans for their Europa League tie with Rapid Vienna next Thursday while West Ham will be the first to have fans at a Premier League game when they entertain Manchester United on December 5.
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Tottenham host Arsenal in the North London derby with both clubs under Tier Two restrictions – but there will be no away fans allowed in the 2,000 crowd. Is that fair? Another topic for debate.
But Brighton boss Graham Potter, whose side will entertain Southampton on Monday, December 7, believes clubs should stop moaning and focus on the positive news of allowing fans back in.
(Image: REUTERS)
Potter said: “You can look at it two ways; of course it’s an advantage, but at the moment rather than look at whether a team has a small advantage or not, you’ve got to look at the bigger picture and see that it’s great news supporters are going to be back in stadiums.
“Rather than zooming into the advantages or disadvantages, hopefully it’s the start of having supporters back and getting back to full stadiums.
“I am pretty sure that everyone who comes will with an enthusiasm to support the team because of what we have all been through, it will be amazing and there will be fantastic atmospheres, quite emotional as well as we have come through a lot hopefully we can get back to normality soon.
“I have really missed the supporters, at first it was something you had to do, a bit of a novelty and you had to get your head around it, but then as time goes on, you miss supporters so much, because through good or bad the supporters are incredibly important.”
