League Statement: Chorley vs FC United of Manchester

The Evo-Stik League has received the following statement from Chorley Football Club.

“After further consultations with Lancashire Police they have requested that our fixture with FC United of Manchester on Saturday 10th September should be.

1, The kick-off be 11-30am,
2, Fans to be segregated,
3 Game to be all ticket,
4, No tickets for sale on the day of the game,
5, Tickets to FC United Season ticket holders only,

FC United have been informed of these requests.

Chorley Football Club will be selling tickets to FC United Season Ticket holders, on Saturday, 3rd September, at their home game with Rushall Olympic.”

Chorley Football Club and The Evo-Stik League are unable to negotiate when clear instructions from the local Constabulary have been given.

Alan Allcock, Evo-Stik League Operations Manager said, “I am a little surprised on the insistence of a change of kick off time for this fixture in view of FC United’s excellent behaviour by their supporters particularly over the past 12 months. FC United have been involved in some very high profile games including an evening Play-Off Semi Final at Bradford and 3pm kick-off at the Final away to Colwyn Bay. The reports received back from The FA observer and what I witnessed myself at Colwyn Bay showed that without segregation linked with good even handed stewarding a high profile fixture can take place in good spirit and without trouble.”

Alan continued, “I hope that FC United supporters will still make the journey to Chorley to give the team their traditional support. I can understand why some people may wish to make a protest at such changes. However, the only way authorities will be convinced that kick off times need not be changed is if there is a capacity crowd and both sets of supporters do what they are best at and that is giving, with excellent behaviour, full support on the day to their respective club. A half empty ground and no trouble does not prove anything. A full ground and no trouble would be considerable proof towards convincing people to relax the arrangements that have been forced on Chorley FC for the FC United fixture.”