Blow for Bristol Bears as UK Government suspends test events for fans

Bristol Bears desite to see socially-distanced crowds back at Ashton Gate this month have been ended after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that test events for fans have been suspended.

Supporters have been returning to selected sporting events since July as the UK Government planned to get fans back in stadiums on a limited capacity basis permanently from October 1 at the earliest.

On Monday, Bears director of rugby Pat Lam revealed he was pinpointing the European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Dragons on September 18.

"I would love to have fans at the Dragons game for that quarter-final, That would be awesome," Lam said.

Nearly 3,000 Harlequins supporters were at The Stoop last weekend to watch their side go down 27-41to Bath, heralding the potential for more matches to allow crowds.

But a rise in coronavirus cases across the country has led to the UK Government making the call to suspend those test events pending a review.

In Johnson's daily briefing he talked about new measures being taken after what he described was a "rapid rise in cases" in the last few days.

Social gatherings of more than six people will be banned from Monday indoors or outdoors including homes, parks, pubs and restaurants. There will be £100 fines if people do not comply.

Organised sports in Covid safe environments remain except. The measures are being taken to lessen the risk of a second wave which could lead to a second national lockdown.

In August, the Bears were in discussion with Premiership Rugby about being a flagship stadium to host reduced crowds, given the facilities and size of Ashton Gate with the proposed date continually put back.

In tandem with Lam, CEO Mark Tainton was confident and optimistic that 5,600 fans could be in attendance before the end of the month but that is now unlikely.

Speaking on BBC Radio Bristol this week, Bears CEO Mark Tainton said: "We passed all the criteria and we're ready to go so we're literally waiting for the go-ahead from DCMS and central government and we can hopefully open the Gate for a limited crowd.

"We're targeting as soon as possible, we were discussing the quarter-final match with Dragons but until we get the go-ahead from DCMS we don't know. We were highlighted for a pilot game against Leicester on September 30 but, if not before then, it'll be that date."