Football will get the buzz out of fans return says Inverness Caledonian Thistle goalkeeper Mark Ridgers
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MARK Ridgers is looking forward to fans bringing the buzz back to the Caledonian Stadium as supporters return to the stands for the first time this season.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have been given permission to allow 300 fans into the ground for Saturday’s Championship match against Raith Rovers.
A ballot has been drawn to decide which 300 season ticket holders will be allowed to enter the stadium.
Both the North and South Stands will be used to accommodate fans, while applying all the protocols surrounding social distancing.
Goalkeeper Ridgers says knowing supporters will be present this weekend will be a huge boost to the team.
He hopes that it will lead to more numbers being allowed into matches later this season.
“You miss the buzz around the stadium as you notice even when warming up that that has disappeared,” he said. But clubs have continued to play music and use the tannoy system to try and create the match atmosphere.
“Having fans coming in will be a big boost for us, especially because you know it is just home fans.
“We have waited for this for a long time. This is what we wanted and, fingers crossed, as the months and games go on, we can increase the numbers as the more fans in the stadium, the better.
“I am really looking forward to it again and hopefully they can help the team and push us on.”
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in players not having access to changing facilities in the usual way.
Ridgers says playing football has been a strange experience, but players have managed to adapt to the circumstances. He says everyone is prepared to do what is necessary to allow matches to be played and get fans back into grounds.
“At the end of the match, substitutes have to stay out of the dressing room until the starting 11 leave before they are allowed to go in.
“We are waiting around for people to pass and it has become the normal.
“In an ideal world, it’s not what we’d like.
“But as players we have to adapt to these things and everyone at the club is following the guidelines and club rules down to a tee.”
