DOUBLE ODDS

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BALLYMENA United are holding firm on a decision to admit a limited number of spectators to Saturday’s high-profile clash with Linfield at The Showgrounds.

Earlier this week Communities Minister Caral Ni Chuilin made a fresh call for all Danske Bank Premiership games to be played behind closed doors.

But with no restriction on fans included within the latest Northern Ireland Executive guidelines, Irish League clubs are determined to proceed with reduced capacities.

As things stand, a total of 600 people – including up to 450 fans – will be allowed inside The Showgrounds for Saturday’s fixture.

Iain Black (right), Ballymena United’s Covid-19 officer, said: “Our intention and the plan we are working off is to have a limited number of supporters at our game with Linfield.

“It goes without saying the whole situation around coronavirus is fluid but we are working on the assumption that 600 people will be facilitated inside the stadium.

“That figure includes club officials from both teams, players, staff, BBC who are live streaming the game, Radio

Ulster and other media.

“It means we will be working off a figure of between 400 and 450 Ballymena supporters being in attendance.”

Pre-covid, a crowd of 2,500 would have been expected, pocketing the club approximately £20,000 in gate receipts. United’s average home crowd last season was somewhere between 1,300 and 1,400, meaning this week’s gate is a fraction of those figures. Ballymena operated similar reduced capacities for recent friendlies against Loughgall and Queen’s University, meaning Saturday’s plan has been fully trialled.

“Supporters will be socially distanced in both the home and away stands and will be seated as single tickets, in small family groups or bubbles of up to s ix people from two households,” said Black. “We will have our normal cohort of stewards and another 20 volunteers, while Mid and East Antrim Council is providing additional stewarding.

“A coloured pass system will also be in place to ensure only those people who require access to certain areas of the stadium have access to those areas.

“It’s our first home game of the new season and every detail has been checked and double checked to ensure the game passes in a positive fashion.

“A few clubs accommodated fans last week – successfully by all accounts – and it is our turn to figure out what a home fixture will look like.”

Black says Mid and East Antrim Council’s guidance on health and safety matters has been invaluable. “We have been liaising throughout and are thankful we have a very good working relationship with council staff,” he said.