Fans ‘feel safe’ on return to Theatre of Greens
PLYMOUTH Argyle have had ‘overwhelmingly supportive’ feedback from fans who have felt safe about returning to Home Park for the last two games.
Chief executive officer Andrew Parkinson said he could not have been more pleased with how it had gone.
There was a temporary capacity crowd of 2,000 for the game against MK Dons and, as it stands, that will again be the case for the visit of Oxford United next Tuesday, December 29.
It has been a very different matchday experience for the season ticket holders who have been able to attend the fixtures against Ipswich Town and MK Dons as part of very limited crowds.
Parkinson said: “I couldn’t be more pleased with how it has gone.
“Obviously, it’s very different to a normal matchday. There are restrictions on attendances and the way people have to move around the ground.
“There is social distancing, the facilities provided, and so on. Fans have to wear face coverings throughout the duration of the game.
“But, that being said, the main point is that feedback we have got from fans after each game has been overwhelmingly supportive and people feel very safe.
“That has got to be a plus and, of course, the other aspect is it’s just great to have some fans to watch the football and support the team.”
Parkinson thought having some supporters inside the Theatre of Greens had a positive impact on Argyle when they beat MK Dons 1-0 after a run of very poor results.
He said: “It’s not just the key moments where it makes the difference necessarily, it’s just everything about the game.
“The joining of supporters and the team hasn’t been possible in any aspect this season.
“So to be able to celebrate a goal, or a win at the end of the match, is really important I think to the connection between the Green Army and the players.”
Parkinson admitted it had taken a lot of work to get Home Park ready for the return of fans.
They had to prove they had all the necessary Covid-19 safety protocols in place, and in a short space of time.
Parkinson said: “It has definitely not been easy. First of all, I think we were all in a place only a few weeks ago where we didn’t see the return of fans coming until sometime in the new year.
“So the timeline to get ready for that was very tough. We had to consult with the Safety Advisory Group of Plymouth City Council and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to make sure they were happy.
“Then, operationally, we have to have the same number of stewards that we would for a 12,000-13,000 crowds.
“It’s over 100 stewards because of all the different procedures that are required.
“Then you have got additional signage, you have got everything that goes with playing within the Covid circumstances.
“So it’s certainly not easy and it’s very changeable. As we have seen, lots of grounds have opened up to fans and now with the added restrictions of tiers have had to close again.
“We have got to be very mindful of that. Hopefully, we can look over the horizon and see more fans coming in.
“Equally, I think we have got to be prepared for the fact that if it’s a national situation then we might have to go the other way again. It really makes it very difficult.”