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    26

    Jul 2021

    Last Updated: 26/07/2021
    Community
    Community

    Harrogate Town fans fear season opener will be played behind closed doors

    by Thomas Barrett

    | 26 Jul, 2021
    Comment

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    Fans were barred from a friendly on Saturday less than 24 hours before kick-off due to safety issues. Fans now fear the season opener against Rochdale on August 7 could also be played behind closed doors.

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    Harrogate Town fans are worried the club's opening home game of the new season will be played in front of an empty stadium.

    Fans were barred from a pre-season friendly against Sunderland at the EnviroVent Stadium on Saturday less than 24 hours before kick-off because North Yorkshire County Council said a number of safety issues at the ground “made them uneasy".

    The council said these were not covid-related but were due to medical support, stewarding, and spectator safety.

    The club released a statement saying it "sincerely apologised for the inconvenience caused” but has released no further details about why the match could not proceed. It did, however, say it would work with the council's safety advisory group to address the points raised for future fixtures.

    About 800 Sunderland fans had tickets refunded and the cancellation, coupled with the lack of information since, has also upset home fans.

    It's also led to speculation about whether the issues will be resolved before the season-opening match at home to Rochdale on August 7, and whether fans could once again by forced to watch Town on a livestream as they did for most of last season.

    Katherine Swinn, speaking on behalf of the Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Club, told the Stray Ferret fans had "numerous unanswered questions".



    Read more:



    • Harrogate Town promotion-winning goalkeeper joins Bristol Rovers

    • Harrogate Town fan groups locked in bitter dispute over new supporters trust





    Ms Swinn said:

    "The club's last minute statement on Friday led to significant speculation, anger, concern and numerous unanswered questions being raised. None of these matters have been addressed by the club. Some welcome clarification was provided by North Yorkshire County Council following their statement over the weekend regarding the safety issues which led to the match having to take place behind closed doors. However, the silence from the club is deafening.
    "There has been no communication, clarification or any attempt by the club to address the numerous concerns and unanswered questions that have been raised nor to provide any reassurance that supporters will be able to attend the match against Rochdale. Instead the club have today reminded people that they have until this Friday to renew their season ticket for this season when supporters don't even know if they will be allowed into the ground for the Rochdale match.
    "I think the club have dealt with the situation very poorly. The lack of communication is appalling. This situation needs to be addressed urgently and a full and frank statement provided by the club otherwise the speculation will continue."


    Town are due to host their final pre-season friendly against Doncaster Rovers at the EnviroVent Stadium on Sunday.

    A Harrogate Town spokesman said the club was awaiting further information before commenting on future fixtures.

    North Yorkshire County Council said it awaited an individual match risk assessment and stewarding plan from the club.