CHERRIES boss Jason Tindall expressed his joy at the news of supporters being allowed back in to watch football from next week, adding: "I think is going to be great for mental health."

This week's announcement from the government regarding the regional tier system, which will come into place when the national lockdown ends on Wednesday, placed Bournemouth into tier two of restrictions.

Any areas in that tier are permitted to welcome 2,000 fans into outdoor stadia.

However, Cherries have announced they are first required to host a pilot test event at 50 per cent of their largest potential capacity, meaning they hope to have 1,000 supporters at Vitality Stadium for their Championship contest against Huddersfield Town on December 12.

All being well, they would then raise that to 2,000 fans for future matches whilst the town remains in tier two.

"It’s really great news. I’m really, really pleased," said Tindall when asked for his reaction to this week's announcements.

"It’s something that we as a football club have been hoping and waiting for and it’s something that fans up and down the country have been waiting to do, to be able to go and watch the team that they love and a team that they’ve supported for so long.

"To be able to finally come and watch them play live I think is going to be great for mental health and so many other reasons.

"I’m certainly looking forward to it."

The visit of the Terriers next month will be the first time fans have been allowed into Vitality Stadium since a 2-2 Premier League draw with Chelsea in February.

But Cherries have since played in front of supporters away from home, most recently in September's 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough, where 1,000 supporters watched on at Riverside Stadium as part of a pilot event.

Tindall said: "I know the difference it made for Middlesbrough, albeit that was some time ago when they had their 1,000 fans in the stadium.

"It really made a difference to them that day and I know here at the Vitality the difference the fans make to us as a team. I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait for fans to be back here."

While fans are set to return to Vitality Stadium, many areas of the country are leaving lockdown and heading into tier three of restrictions, which means no supporters are allowed to attend games in those areas.

That includes next Friday's trip to Barnsley, which will be behind closed doors.

That has sparked a debate as to whether it is an unfair competition if some clubs are going to have home support while others cannot.

"We can’t do anything about that," said Tindall.

"The decision that’s been made has been made for the best of everybody health-wise up and down the country.

"But just looking at ourselves, to be able to have fans is great. Really looking forward to it here.

"It’s something they’ve all been waiting for for so long and it’s really going to make a difference for us."

The club have provided some further details on how they intend to allocate tickets for the reduced capacity matches.

Season ticket holders will be invited to take part in a ticket ballot for each fixture.

They will be able to apply to be seated in groups of four, two and one.

Anyone who is unsuccessful in a ballot can reapply for the next game’s ballot.

Fans who wish to attend a Cherries game will have to agree to a 'code of supporter behaviour' in order to complete their purchase. This confirms match attenders’ agreement to adhere to COVID-19 measures, together with other health and safety measures that will be in place.