REBELS: GIVE US FIGHTING CHANCE
FC UNITED of Manchester are gathering support from Non-League clubs and political figures in calling for a change to the regulations over crowd capacities.
The NPL Premier club were limited to 300 supporters for their friendly against Barrow yesterday and will be able to host 600 from next month.
However, Broadhurst Park is capable of holding 4,400 fans and last season the Reds averaged 1,688. They have also sold 800 season tickets.
The Red Rebels have produced a comprehensive 14-page risk assessment, which has been signed off by the stadium Safety Advisory Group, but they believe the restrictions are too great.
“Whilst a limited return of supporters into grounds is welcome as a first step, we are disappointed that the criteria used to work out capacity has ignored an individual ground’s size, layout and ability to safely host matches,” a statement read.
“Instead, we have a one size fits all approach based on the lowest capacity requirement for entry into that step of the pyramid.
“To be clear, as a club we support the need to cut capacities to a level where supporters can safely watch, adhering to government guidelines on social distancing.
“If 30 per cent is deemed as the figure permitted by the DCMS for the initial return of supporters, we would strongly urge that this be 30 per cent of our actual capacity and not of a figure which bears no relation to our ability to safely deliver a match day. For us that would mean a total of around 1,400 supporters, which would come close to our 1,668 average attendance from last season and give the club a fighting chance to recover.”
FC United have written to Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell asking for her support and have the backing of similarly affected clubs AFC Bury and Scarborough Athletic in making their voices heard.
“There have been no Premier League or EFL payments to Non-League below Step 2, FA Cup prize money for next season has been halved and already we have seen a number of clubs withdraw or fold, including neighbouring NPL club Droylsden FC,” the statement continued. “The Non-League football pyramid is in danger and the government must allow us to safely generate the revenue we need to get through a season which will probably see postponements and extra difficulties as the pandemic continues to affect our society.”