Allow crowd at Wembley, urges boss
CONSETT chairman Frank Bell has urged the Football Association to allow supporters to attend the FA Vase Final against Hebburn Town.
The North East rivals are set to meet at Wembley Stadium on Monday, May 3 in only the second all-Northern League final.
Supporters from both clubs were dealt a blow earlier this month when the governing body confirmed that the tie would take place behind closed doors.
However, this week’s announcement that the FA Cup semi-finals and the Carabao Cup are to be used as test events for the return of supporters in April raised hopes that the decision could be overturned.
Negotiations are ongoing between the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Football Association over the possibility of holding more test events.
Bell admitted that his club feel “extremely let down by the authorities” for not considering the Vase Final as a possible test event – and he called on the FA to treat non-league supporters as equals to their Premier League counterparts by opening up Wembley for their historic date with Hebburn.
In a statement released on the Steelmen’s official website, Bell said: “We have been receptive to alternative dates, and this was raised again in the last two weeks, with the club agreeing to ANY alternative dates that would allow spectators to attend.
“We fully understand that there are many more parties involved in these decisions, such as The FA, the Government, FIFA, UEFA, sponsors and broadcasters.
“However, in the last week it has been announced that the FA Cup semi-finals, taking place on the 17th and 18th April at Wembley, will be considered as a pilot event to allow up to 4,000 spectators in.
“On Sunday 25 April up to 8,000 spectators are being allowed to attend to watch the Carabao Cup final, again at Wembley.
“The FA Cup final, which takes place after our scheduled FA Vase final, will have up to 20,000 spectators in to watch that event.
“Whilst this is clearly wonderful news for so many, we as a club feel extremely let down by the authorities for not even considering our final for a further development in the pilot events to facilitate spectators back in to watch football.”