For the first time in nine months, we will be seeing a limited number of fans at five of the English Premier League football stadiums this weekend.
With only 2,000 spectators allowed into a top-flight ground that holds 60,000, it is still going to feel pretty weird.
However, it is a small but significant step on the way back to normality, whatever that might be.
There has already been a smattering of mid-week games with spectators in the lower divisions.
On Wednesday night, League Two side Carlisle United became the first English club to host a game with fans since the coronavirus struck, and they treated 2,000 spectators at Brunton Park to a 2-1 win over Salford City.
On having the fans back, Carlisle manager Chris Beech commented: "It was just fantastic to hear them cheer for every tackle and you could see that it gave the lads an extra yard."
Curiously, only two of the six clubs which were allowed spectators enjoyed home wins.
The other successful home side were Luton who upset Championship leaders Norwich City 3-1.
Although Luton were restricted to just 1,000 spectators, they played their part in this unexpected victory, manager Nathan Jones commenting: "The fans were a massive help."
Having fans back did not work for all the home clubs, however.
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer expressed disappointment on how quiet the home fans were at The Valley, despite being given a free cup of hot chocolate, as they slumped to a surprise 1-0 defeat to lowly MK Dons.
"Even with 2,000 I had expected non-stop singing, but it was very quiet. I wish they had been more vocal'', Bowyer said.
Encouragingly, in all of these matches, there were no major hitches concerning spectators.
Arsenal's Europa League game with Rapid Vienna on Thursday night was the first in which a Premier League club was allowed to have spectators.
Hosting the first Premier League match with spectators are West Ham who play Manchester United at the London Stadium today.
The Chelsea v Leeds fixture will also have fans.
Other Premier League games this weekend which will feature spectators are Spurs v Arsenal, Liverpool v Wolves and Brighton v Southampton.
The absence of fans has highlighted just how much they mean to clubs. They are the lifeblood of football.
Some of the more entertaining moments watching the Premier League have been seeing the faces of the spectators behind the goal when the ball hits the back of the net.
The basic response is either joy or despair, ecstasy or agony. You see people in tears, head in hands, other jumping up a down, hugging and kissing total strangers.
It is sheer theatre and a reminder why people go to matches.
Apart from a love of the game, it's also a big release from everyday tension.
Fans can let off steam, scream and shout, curse and cheer. In the old days they could throw stale meat pies and hot dogs at players and referees alike.
In what other aspect of daily life can you experience such extreme emotions and openly display them without people thinking you've gone stark raving mad?
A female Charlton supporter attending Wednesday's game told the Guardian: "This is my drug… it's my pressure cooker. Being at work you can't let go. This is my release."
Thankfully most spectators retain a sense of humour. After all, as a football fan you really need to see the funny side particularly when things go wrong.
Much of the humour come from the terrace chants.
We are all familiar with regular efforts like the teasing "Can we play you every week?" but sometimes you get clever spontaneous offerings.
Some years ago in the Championship during a really dreadful goalless draw between Brighton and Blackpool, the Brighton fans began chanting: "You've only got one pier."
I used to enjoy the song about the former Fulham striker Bobby Zamora who was a decent player but became known for wildly inaccurate shots.
This sparked a chant to the tune of Dean Martin's That's Amore -- "When you're in Row Z, and the ball hits your head, That's Zamora."
I recall Jimmy Greaves relating a tale featuring striker Frank Saul who was having a terrible game playing for Queens Park Rangers against Spurs at Loftus Road.
A dog scampered onto the pitch and the game was held up as officials pursued the speedy hound.
During the chase a large voice boomed out from the terraces: "Leave the dog on -- take Saul off!"
A final word on the importance of fans.
Back in the 1980s, disgruntled Southend United chairman Vic Jobson commented: "At Newcastle the crowd is worth a one-and-a half goals start for the home side. But here at Southend it is probably minus six."
Let's hope these tentative steps at getting spectators back in the stadiums prove successful and that it won't be long before we hear the roars of capacity crowds.