Football behind closed doors. Even amid the madness of 2020 this is barking.
‘You just want to pull open the door and actually see your team on the pitch again,’ says Middlesbrough supporter Chris Hunter.
The 52-year-old is in a corporate box inside the Riverside Stadium. Less than 100 yards away — beyond the blacked-out windows — Boro are beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 with seconds remaining.
How Neil Warnock’s side could do with some hearty encouragement rolling down from the stands. Instead, Chris and others roar at a television screen. Boro hold on. They are fifth in the Championship.