EFL chairman delivers promising update on full return of Sunderland supporters ahead of 2021/22 season

Clubs participating in the end of season play-offs – including Sunderland – have benefitted from being able to welcome up to 10,000 fans to their grounds.

For many, it will have been the first time they have played in front of spectators since March 2020, and all eyes are now on the start of the new campaign and increasing the numbers available to attend fixtures.

And while that will ultimately lie outside the control of the EFL and its member clubs, Parry has delivered a positive update when quizzed on the work required ahead of the 2021/22 season.

"There will be work,” he said, speaking to Sky Sports.

"Fortunately we’ve got a month or two ahead – we’ve got the Euros to get through, which will be really exciting, and we’re hoping everything goes well.

"I’m sure it will, and that will be another major milestone.

“We’ve got big events in other sports right across the summer, so in a sense it’s quite nice that we can at least have a month or two to prepare and be ready.

"There’s a lot of hard work going on and clubs need clarity. They’re on with season ticket sales for next season, so everybody wants certainty.

"But we do know in these uncertain times we can’t have certainty. We’ve got used to dealing with the day-to-day challenges over the last 15 months.

"We feel we’re on the way back. The clubs are ready and as we’ve seen in the last two days the fans are ready, they want to be back.

"So it’s all systems go.”

Meanwhile, Blackpool chief executive Ben Mansford says the club are preparing some ‘exciting’ new signings – having been linked with Elliot Embleton.

He told Sky Sports: "We’ve been preparing two lists for the past few weeks.

"Definitely the list looks, to supporters, and everyone at the club, so much more exciting.

"This morning already you’re starting to think ‘that agent on the way home’, ‘this player on the way home.’

"All of those have been talked about over some bacon and eggs this morning.”

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