CITY will be playing in front of fans against Forest Green on Saturday.

The match at the New Lawn is one of three in League Two included in the pilot scheme this week which will allow up to 1,000 supporters to attend.

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince, who has been pushing to be able to take part, confirmed that it would be for home season-ticket holders only.

Ten games in all in the EFL will be allowed limited crowds as part of the trials towards the long-term aim of letting more supporters back into grounds.

Vince said on Twitter: “We’re very pleased we're one of three games this Saturday allowing fans back in. It's season ticket holders only - it'll be great to have fans again."

City's director of communications and commercial, Ryan Sparks, said: "This is clearly a very positive step in terms of bringing supporters back to football - in stadiums. 

"We are delighted for Forest Green Rovers and wish them the very best in ensuring Saturday's fixture proves a successful trial event. 

"Those of us in attendance on Saturday will be looking on with keen interest and, hopefully, this weekend will prove the start of supporters' formal return to football matches."

The EFL had invited applications from clubs wanting to take part. Originally, it was planned for up to 2,500 to attend Cambridge’s opening league game against Carlisle but that was scrapped following the nationwide rise in positive COVID cases.

An EFL spokesman said today: “The EFL remains in discussions with the government about the pilot programme which may include a limited number of further pilot matches during September with capacity limited to 1,000.

“The league is clear in its view that social distancing can be applied safely in football stadia and that having crowds at matches is an absolutely essential part of helping to protect club finances, which remain under extreme pressure.

“Therefore, the successful delivery of further pilots will be an important step towards getting larger numbers of fans into grounds safely.”

The games at Carlisle and Morecambe are also hosting pilot events as well as three in the Championship and four in League One.

Clubs have been hoping that a percentage of crowds will be allowed back from October 1 – with City pencilling in the visit of Harrogate on Sunday, October 11 as potentially the first league game to have fans back in at Valley Parade.