Following the First Minister’s announcement that Dumfries and Galloway is to move down to tier one we are now seeking approval for the return of spectators to Palmerston from the SPFL, SFA and the local authorities.

For several weeks we as a club have been preparing to welcome fans back and based on what has been approved in other areas in a similar situation we would expect that initially we would be allowed to welcome only a small number of fans to the stadium.

Our season ticket sales this season have exceeded the current numbers which is good for the club but unfortunately means we will not be able to accommodate everyone. Therefore in the interest of fairness we have taken the decision to operate a ballot system.

We will be contacting all season ticket holders to invite them to register their wish to attend individual matches and request a place in the ballot. This will be an online process. We will be able to accommodate applications from households or support bubbles where every member of the household or support bubble holds a current season ticket.

With the chance of five home games within a four week period in December and January if we are at home in the Scottish Cup, means that everyone will get a chance to attend games. It is clear that once fans do return to matches there will be strict protocols to follow and fans will have to adhere to a code of conduct.

We will use the first approved fixture as a test event and will therefore initially use the BDS stand, where we will allocate seating in marked out areas, however in line with social distancing and governing body rules the capacity will be severely reduced. Thereafter, we will consider the logistics of opening the Oakbank covered enclosure.

With that in mind we have taken the decision that in the interest of health and safety for the initial matches, no one under the age of 12 can be accommodated as a lone application or anyone who lives out with Dumfries and Galloway. Therefore any season ticket holder who falls into either of these categories will not be able to apply. This will obviously be reviewed in line with further Government announcements.