Details on how Portsmouth fans could be back at Fratton Park NEXT month

Those were the items discussed during a League One meeting earlier this week, according to Shrewsbury chief executive Brian Caldwell.

A date on when the next campaign will begin has yet to be decided amid the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

Current games being played are behind closed doors, although FA chief executive, Mark Bullingham, has stated they are exploring the possibility of supporters being let into stadia within the next three months.

Caldwell revealed those are the early hopes and a date for when next term has also been discussed.

August 29 and September 12 have both been mooted, with an international break to take place in between. Clubs will vote on their preferred option.

Should the former be chosen then there will be nine midweek matches in the fixture list.

However, it the campaign begins on September 12 then there will be as many as 11 – with three midweek games back to back.

Caldwell told Shrewsbury’s website: ‘The EFL stated that they have been in discussion with the government for several weeks now regarding fans returning safely to grounds with social distancing measure still in place.

‘They are currently looking at this around reduced capacity in stadiums”

‘The EFL are working closely with the SGSA on a study to look at crowd flows and social distancing to help ensure some form of fans can return to games safely on a potential reduced attendance.

‘I think the main thing for fans to take away from this is that everything is being done to try and ensure fans can return to matches as soon as possible providing it’s safe of course. It was mentioned that they are working closely with government and the relevant authorities with the goal of hopefully having the possibility of fans even on reduced attendances returning for the start of next season all being well.

‘At the moment working around the international break on the September 12, would leave us with two potential start dates, either the August 29 or September 12

‘If we were to vote on August 29 that would mean nine midweek matches instead of the normal five, with no runs of three league midweek games in a row.

‘If we were to vote on September 12 this would firstly mean a broken start to the new campaign as some clubs may have players away on international duty for up to ten days. On top of that, midweek matches would become 11 instead of five therefore meaning that there could be three midweek games back to back. Part of the issue is the loss of furlough from an earlier return on August 29.

“Either option will cause a backload which is why it’s important to try and get crowds in if we can.’

Caldwell also detailed that streaming will not be viewed as a replacement to fans attending – but an alternative before they can return.

He added: ‘The EFL updated Clubs on the potential for streaming of matches but stressed that streaming is a Plan B and all efforts must be put towards allowing fans to return to matches safely.

‘Streaming is not being viewed as a replacement for fans in the stadium but as an alternative.’