League Two Port Vale are arguing the case for Nottingham Forest supporters to be able to attend the pre-season friendly between the clubs at Vale Park on July 17.
The fixture has been arranged but the clubs can't issue ticket details until they know whether supporters will be allowed in.
Vale chief executive Colin Garlick has revealed his club are meeting the Safety Advisory Group, which advises the city council, on Thursday, and is hopeful about getting the green light to welcome supporters back.
Garlick believes they can safely accommodate home and away fans at the Forest game.
He said: “We are very hopeful. That is what we are working towards.
"I am just a bit concerned because the Forest game is two days in front of the national easing of lockdown.
“I just hope that common sense will prevail with the local authority in terms of a 20,000 seater stadium at Vale Park. The numbers we are likely to have there for a pre-season friendly are likely to be probably about 10 per cent of that capacity.
“I am hoping we can have Forest supporters come as well to add to the atmosphere. I expect that people will want to come out and try to get back to normal, and I think we can cope with it.”
The chief executive says Vale’s safety certificate covers a capacity of 14,000 and he believes even being restricted to 50 per cent of that would be ample.
He said: “That allows us a capacity of 7,000. So I think with that, we can be sensible, there is plenty of space to distance people.
“So, I am hopeful that common sense will rule the day because it is important we look for ways to get people in, not look at ways to keep them out.”
The clubs have a strong relationship, Vale having signed Adam Crookes and Jake Taylor from Forest over the last two years and also taken striker Will Swan on loan last sesason.
