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27

Aug 2021

Last Updated: 27/08/2021
Business
Business

Harrogate Town bars fans from stand due to lack of stewards

by Thomas Barrett

| 27 Aug, 2021
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The club tweeted this morning that they are facing "operational difficulties" around stewarding numbers for the game which kicks off at 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

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Harrogate Town fans returned to Wetherby Road for the start of the 2021/22 League Two season.

Harrogate Town's EnviroVent Stand will be closed to home and away fans for their League 2 game against Exeter tomorrow due to a shortage of stewards.

The club tweeted this morning that they are facing "operational difficulties" around stewarding for the game which kicks off at 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

They added there is a national shortage of qualified stewards and other football clubs and events are having the same difficulties.

Fans who had booked tickets to watch the game in the stand, which is on the Wetherby Road side of the ground, have been offered spaces in the Black Sheep Brewery Stand.

"After Saturday we are confident that stewarding issues will be resolved and we can operate as normal. Please accept our sincere apologies for this inconvenience and we look forward to seeing you all at the game."


Recent issues at the EnviroVent Stadium have led to a difficult summer for the club.

They were forced to play a pre-season friendly against Sunderland behind closed doors after North Yorkshire County Council found 17 "unacceptable risks" at the ground, including inadequate stewarding.

It threw the fan's hopes of attending the opening game of the season against Rochdale into doubt, although the club were able to overcome the issues with the council in time.

Yesterday, the club appointed former Stray FM boss Sarah Barry as their new CEO. She will begin in the role next month.