august 23, 2023
Club statement on Popular Side issue last Saturday
Altrincham FC would like to provide some clarity over an occurrence that briefly caused a problem on the Popular Side terraces against Boreham Wood at The J.Davidson Stadium last Saturday.
Shortly before kick-off, the club's new team of stewards took the decision to test crowd safety arrangements for next Saturday's home game with Chesterfield by creating a sterile area at the away end of the Pop Side.
As soon as club officials saw what was taking place and noted the inevitable consequence of Alty supporters finding themselves in an inadequate space beneath the gantry, steps were taken to reverse the procedure.
At the club's instruction, the gate was reopened to allow Robins fans back into what had fleetingly been a sterile section.
In addition, our recently-appointed stewards were briefed on why, given the proximity of kick-off and the volume of Alty fans in the vicinity in contrast to the handful from Boreham Wood on the away terraces, the exercise should not, in hindsight, have taken place.
Looking ahead to this coming Saturday, it seems highly likely that Chesterfield will sell their full allocation of tickets, in which case they would be allocated a section at the top end of the Pop Side, as well as the terrace behind the goal, with a sterile area being put in place on the Pop Side to ensure there is segregation between home and away fans.
In addition, a space free of spectators will be created beneath the scoreboard, in the corner of the away end, to allow a club volunteer to operate it safely and effectively throughout the game.
The club will provide a further update when we have confirmation from Chesterfield on final numbers for how many tickets they have sold.
Shortly before kick-off, the club's new team of stewards took the decision to test crowd safety arrangements for next Saturday's home game with Chesterfield by creating a sterile area at the away end of the Pop Side.
As soon as club officials saw what was taking place and noted the inevitable consequence of Alty supporters finding themselves in an inadequate space beneath the gantry, steps were taken to reverse the procedure.
At the club's instruction, the gate was reopened to allow Robins fans back into what had fleetingly been a sterile section.
In addition, our recently-appointed stewards were briefed on why, given the proximity of kick-off and the volume of Alty fans in the vicinity in contrast to the handful from Boreham Wood on the away terraces, the exercise should not, in hindsight, have taken place.
Looking ahead to this coming Saturday, it seems highly likely that Chesterfield will sell their full allocation of tickets, in which case they would be allocated a section at the top end of the Pop Side, as well as the terrace behind the goal, with a sterile area being put in place on the Pop Side to ensure there is segregation between home and away fans.
In addition, a space free of spectators will be created beneath the scoreboard, in the corner of the away end, to allow a club volunteer to operate it safely and effectively throughout the game.
The club will provide a further update when we have confirmation from Chesterfield on final numbers for how many tickets they have sold.
