Police in pledge to back football club

 Source: Chorley Guardian


 Police have pledged to support Chorley FC’s efforts to ensure the hotly-anticipated match against FC United goes without a hitch.

An early kick-off of 11.30am is expected to be put in place for the game on September 10, as well as a new ticketing operation and 40 stewards.

This will run in conjunction with a police operation and limited away tickets as the club strives to prevent a repeat of the crowd trouble that marred February’s game with Chester.

The ticket procedure will mean fans will need to have attended three other games before they can pick up a ticket for the FC United of Manchester game.

Tickets were given out at last week’s home opener against Frickley Athletic, as well as Saturday’s game against Buxton and will be given out at the clash with Marine on Monday, August 29.

Insp Steve Evans of Lancashire Police said officers would be working with the club to ensure the game went ahead problem-free.

He said: “There is no intelligence to suggest any problems at the match. Our intention is to support the club in staging the this fixture, to ensure that supporters from both clubs enjoy a really good game in a positive environment.

“This is in keeping with Chorley FC’s status as a family club. The club ha liaised with us and we are fully supporting them.”

The kick-off time has yet to be finalised but is expected to go ahead at 11.30am with around 500 tickets allocated to away fans.

Insp Evans said: “An early kick-off is really helpful and all of these measures just mean the risk level is kept down.

“I am really encouraged and pleased to see the measures that the club have taken to enhance security for this fixture.

“I have had several meetings with the club and have been delighted with the positive and supportive approach they have taken, and how responsible they have been with football supporters and the town in general to make sure the fixture passes off successfully.”

Chorley FC chairman Ken Wright said: “We have agreed in principle that the game will be policed and we are going to have segregation and restrict the numbers of following FC United fans.

“Historically we have never had problems with FC United but of course we need to approach the game sensibly. Obviously the police concern is as much out of the ground as it is in the ground.

“We have to make every effort to ensure people are looked after and everything goes off without a problem.”

By Steve Evans
Published on Saturday 27 August 2011 10:00