Doncaster Rovers CEO on planned start for 2020/21 season

And he said there have been questions asked over whether supporters could be allowed into stadiums from the start of the campaign.

It had been suggested that fans would be barred from grounds for the remainder of 2020 as the country looks to stamp out the coronavirus outbreak.

But talk has switched to the possibility of a limited number of supporters being permitted to enter a stadium - though Baldwin admitted there are a number of complicatingfactors which could prevent that.

He did however state that the draft plan is for the Rovers squad to return for pre-season training in early August, to give Darren Moore’s side plenty of time to shake off the cobwebs having not trained together since mid-March.

“We’re planning for the players to come back for pre-season at the the start of August, with a start date for the season of mid to late September - more likely late September,” Baldwin told the Free Press.

“We’re actively engaging in conversations about whether there can be a fan presence in late September and that bit remains very uncertain at this point.

“The authorities appear to be more concerned not about fans being in the stadium but how they get to stadiums, such as using public transport for instance.

“There are all those conversations to go through.”

According to Baldwin, clubs have been offered assurances that the EFL are examining potential revenue streams for them in the event supporters remain locked out.

He said: “The EFL are looking into how they can help boost our incomes or protect us from refund requests if we don’t have crowds, through iFollow for instance.

“Can we give season ticket holders the ability to watch the games free of change, and sell the package on to others.

“They’re looking to provide ways for income if there can be no fans in stadiums until January, which is the fall back position they have told us to plan the budgets with, so any games we can have with fans in the stadium or by distributing or selling iFollow passes to supporters will be a bonus – if it happens.”

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