Sunderland AFC set for key meeting with EFL officials - with 2020/21 season start date set to be revealed

The League One season was curtailed on June 9 but, as of yet, there have been no decisions made as to when the new campaign – previously scheduled for August – will begin.

For Sunderland and a host of other third tier clubs, this has made planning difficult with recruitment and pre-season plans put on the back-burner until a date is set.

But that date could finally come this week, with EFL clubs set to meet with the competition’s board members in a bid to settle on a provisional date for new season to kick-off.

Also on the agenda will be how many supporters will be allowed into grounds once games do begin, with the government’s latest social distancing guidelines understood to open the door to more supporters being able to attend games than was previously feared.

In a statement released to the Southend Echo yesterday, Southend chairman Ron Martin said he believes that most clubs will be lobbying for a mid-September start date for the new EFL season – as this could enable stadiums to be half-full.

“This week the EFL board WILL meet with clubs to discuss a restart date and whether that might include some crowds,” he wrote.

“A third or half full stadiums has been suggested and the club will update our supporters, via the web site, when we know more.

“However if I were to hazard a guess I would think many clubs would favour mid-September with half crowds.

“This of course remains subject to Covid-19 subsiding further.

“Everybody will need to abide by the rules for their own, family and friends wellbeing. We want you all back at Roots Hall as soon as it is safe, so please take care.”

It has previously been suggested that the 2020/21 League One season will begin on the weekend of September 12.