Steve Patterson “can’t wait” to see some familiar faces in the stands at Emerald Headingley this week.
Yorkshire will welcome back members and supporters to a first-team home men’s fixture for the first time in 623 days when Sussex visit on Thursday for the eighth round LV= Insurance County Championship clash.
The last was against Kent at Headingley in September 2019, the game which Darren Stevens dominated.
Since then, the White Rose have played six Championship or Bob Willis Trophy games behind closed doors at Leeds, including this season’s one-run win over Northamptonshire – a game which would have only been enriched more with the presence of fans.
An attendance of approximately 4,250 will be permitted to attend each day of the Sussex game.
And captain Patterson said: “The supporters and the fans are the reason we play the game.
“It’s been different last year and this without crowds. There are pros and cons to it. You don’t get the support when you’re on top, but on the flipside you don’t get reminded of it when you’re struggling!
“But, for a lot of our supporters, it’s a big part of their life.
“You see them week in and week out, and we’re part of a big cricketing family in a sense.
“The fact we haven’t seen them in a long time is obviously unusual.
“It will be lovely to see the familiar faces again.
“Me personally, I always feel I’ve been really well supported by the Yorkshire faithful. It’s meant a lot to me over the years.
“To have them back, I can’t wait. I will really appreciate that.”
