PLANS for fans to return to stadiums from Thursday, October 1 have been paused, cabinet office minister Michael Gove has announced.

Socially-distanced crowds of 1,000 were trialled in the EFL this weekend, with the aim of introducing more spectators across the football pyramid.

However, with the UK's Covid-19 alert level elevated to four, the Government has put those plans on ice.

Weymouth are likely to be affected by the decision, with their National League season due to begin away to Altrincham on Saturday, October 3.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Gove said: "We were looking at a staged programme of more people returning.

"We're looking at how we can, for the moment, pause that programme.

"What we do want to do is to make sure that, as and when circumstances allow, get more people back.

"The virus is less likely to spread outdoors than indoors but again it's in the nature of major sporting events that there's a lot of mingling.

"We just need to be cautious at the moment and I think a mass reopening at this stage wouldn’t be appropriate."

Currently only non-elite football clubs have been permitted to admit up to 600 fans, covering Step 3 and below.

This includes Dorchester Town, who play Step 3 football in the Southern Premier South.

Weymouth, though, play at Step 1 and could face the prospect of behind-closed-doors matches or a hibernated season. 

It is widely believed numerous clubs will be in danger of collapsing if fans cannot attend matches at elite or non-elite level.

Macclesfield Town were last week wound up, while Southend were granted a six-week extension to pay off £493,000 in arrears.

Clubs need revenue from matchday tickets, food and drink sales, plus hospitality and sponsorship among others to sustain their business models.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to issue new guidelines later today.