Incidents during the Salford game -- club statement
By Ray Simpson
During the second half of Tuesday night’s match against Salford, a flare was lit and waved around in...
These incidents are contrary to our ground regulations, as published on our official website on 12th October last year.
The pertinent regulations are as follows:
“The following articles must not be brought within the Ground – knives, fireworks or any other pyrotechnics, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, glass bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles, any articles that are prohibited by the Rules and Regulations, and any article that might be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety. Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to (or ejected from) the Ground.”
And
“Under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 (as amended) the following are offences for which a person can be arrested by a police officer and conviction could result in a Banning Order being made under the Football Spectators Act 1989 (as amended): The list is non-exhaustive.
“The throwing of any object within the Ground without lawful authority or excuse;
“The entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful authority or excuse.”
Unfortunately yesterday’s superb result was tarnished by a pyrotechnic incident, of a coin being thrown and a fan encroaching on the playing area which has caused embarrassment to Darlington FC 1883 and our supporters.
We should be very clear. Those responsible simply do not care about our club, our reputation or the safety of our fans and we do not want them at our matches. The club will be reviewing its CCTV and working with the stewards and police to ensure that this matter is addressed and the individuals will be banned from future matches.
If anyone has information that will help us trace the individuals responsible, then please approach a club official or e mail us on commercial@darlingtonfc.org. Information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Ensuring the safety of our supporters and staff is always of paramount importance to Darlington FC 1883. If such behaviour was to continue, the reality is it would only be a matter of time before serious injury is caused and the club in turn would be punished by the league and or the FA. We will not allow safety to be compromised by the actions of a tiny minority.
