CITY have welcomed the government’s move to get fans back in football grounds from May 17.

Chief executive Ryan Sparks tonight issued a statement to update supporters on the club’s position on the “road map” out of the pandemic.

Sparks said: “We as a football club welcome the news from Westminster, which states a clear aim to have supporters back inside stadia from May 17.

“There are no guarantees in terms of capacity, but this represents a huge step in the right direction for society as a whole - and, of course, for sports clubs across the country.

“Hopefully, the news can help us move out of the darkness and back towards the light, and we will be able to say 2021 was the year we began to see the back of this pandemic.

“The vaccination programme appears to be world leading, and something we can be extremely proud of, with more than 18 million jabs administered, as of today. This represents a real source of hope for us all.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude to the brave NHS staff and volunteers, who are dedicating their lives to vaccinating the population as quickly and safely as possible. This will undoubtedly help kick-start our economy sooner rather than later - and have us feeling that sense of ‘normal’ we so greatly miss.

“For our supporters, we know how much a return to Valley Parade will mean, and have taken every possible step to ensure COVID-19 has not had a direct impact on our employees, allowing people to work in a safe environment.

“We are mindful of the fact the virus cannot be entirely controlled, but despite the future remaining somewhat unclear, the government’s desire to all but remove restrictions by June 21 offers something of a marker for us.”

City will not put season-tickets on sale until there is more clarity about the situation – which they hope to receive in the coming weeks.

Sparks added: “We will offer as much time as possible before unveiling our season-ticket plans for the 2021/22 season and hope this causes little in the way of inconvenience.

“I can imagine how much you all wish to be back here, giving the players, Mark (Trueman) and Conor (Sellars) the 12th man they desire.

“And I am sure our new permanent managers would love to soak up a top-drawer Valley Parade atmosphere. It is one they so richly deserve, and that day will come.”