Hitchin Town are gearing up to allow fans back into Top Field for the first time since the Covid crisis struck - but only with strict rules in place.

The Canaries have lined up two friendlies over the coming week as they prepare for the start of the 2020-21 season.

The Fishponds Road outfit are set to host Harpenden on Thursday, September 10 before welcoming Barnet 48 hours later on Saturday, September 12.

The club have imposed a limit of 300 supporters for the Harpenden fixture with double the amount for the visit of the Bees two days later.

Both matches will be all-ticket affairs with no pay on the day. Tickets are now on sale here

Inside the ground and while watching the match, social distancing must be observed at all times and fans are asked not to handle the football when it is kicked out of play and they want to return it to the field.

The club head into the matches boosted by the phenomenal success of their crowdfunding appeal.

The Canaries smashed through their initial target of £25k and have now 'stretched' their goal in a bid to reach £50k - an amount which will safeguard the future of the much-loved Top Field outfit.