WITH the next lifting of Covid restrictions in England around the corner, the hope is that we have now seen the last of behind closed doors sporting fixtures.

From next Monday, May 17, stadia will once again open to fans – some for the first time in more than a year – as lockdown rules are relaxed even further.

For Warrington Wolves, it means their home game against Huddersfield Giants on that very day will be watched by 4,000 Wire fans.

The same number will watch home games against Castleford Tigers (May 22) and Wakefield Trinity (June 11).

If the Government presses ahead with its intention to remove all legal limits on social contact from June 21, numbers allowed inside The Halliwell Jones Stadium will be allowed to increase.

While delighted supporters will be able to watch his side live again, head coach Steve Price is also pleased the families of players will once again be allowed inside the ground to see the games.

“All the players and staff can’t wait to get the fans back,” he said.

“We’ve certainly missed them, and also our families being able to watch their loved ones.

“It’s great to have them back and hopefully over the next few months, we can slowly start filling the stadium again.”

For those on the field, playing in front of only a handful of people has become the norm since the pandemic took hold.

With that in mind, Wolves forward Jason Clark admits it will take some readjustment to having a crowd watching them.

“I remember our first game without a crowd at Leeds last year,” he said.

“It was so strange going out there and it being so silent and hearing everything going on in the game.

“A year or so down the track, it’s become the norm now so having a crowd back will feel a bit strange at the start.

“It will bring back some good memories, though, and once things lift a bit more and the stadiums get full again, it will be great for the game.”