Portadown Football Club feels it is necessary to address the circumstances surrounding the security arrangements at Friday evening’s game against Coleraine, following comments and criticism regarding the decision to prevent supporters from leaving Shamrock Park during the closing stages of the match.
We make no apology whatsoever for the decision that was taken.
During the latter stages of the game, a section of young teenagers were clearly intent on causing trouble, creating a genuine and immediate concern that the two groups would meet outside the stadium and engage in an altercation.
With approximately 20 minutes of the game remaining, our Head Steward was advised by Police to close the stadium gates and prevent supporters from leaving. This decision was taken to prevent an incident developing outside the ground and, in doing so, protect the vast majority of supporters whose behaviour on Friday night was, as usual, exemplary.
The club fully supported that decision.
Quite simply, keeping the gates closed prevented a potentially serious incident from taking place outside Shamrock Park. It also potentially prevented young people from being injured, arrested or ending up with unnecessary criminal records as a result of their actions.
The club is satisfied that the intention of the group attempting to leave the stadium early was to meet opposing supporters outside the ground and engage in a confrontation. What happened subsequently has reinforced those concerns, with videos circulating on social media over the weekend providing further evidence of the intentions of those involved.
There can be no justification whatsoever for this behaviour.
It is particularly disappointing that some individuals then chose to trespass onto the training pitch and attempt to force their way out through gates in an effort to circumvent the security arrangements put in place.
Those involved should understand that their actions do not just affect themselves. They have the potential to cause serious consequences for Portadown Football Club.
Their behaviour brings shame on the club, places unnecessary pressure on our volunteers and staff, and could ultimately cost the club financially. It could lead to fines, increased Police presence, additional stewarding requirements at considerable expense and even future fixtures being made all-ticket.
In other words, the actions of a small minority could directly impact the matchday experience of supporters who simply want to come to Shamrock Park and support their team – That will not be accepted.
CCTV footage from Friday night has been reviewed and a number of individuals have already been identified. Appropriate action will be taken and those found to have been involved will be issued with bans from Shamrock Park.
We would also appeal directly to the parents or guardians of any young supporters involved.
We would ask them to speak to their child and make them understand the seriousness of what they were attempting to do, the potential consequences of their actions and the impact their behaviour can have not only on themselves and their families, but also on Portadown Football Club.
A football match should never become an excuse for young people to put themselves or others at risk. Getting involved in disorder can have consequences that extend far beyond one evening at a football match, and we would urge parents to take the opportunity to have that conversation now.
We would also like to make our position regarding our stewards absolutely clear.
The vast majority of our stewards are Portadown supporters and volunteers who give their time freely and go above and beyond for this football club. They are not there to be abused, intimidated or confronted while carrying out their duties.
The abuse directed towards some of our stewards on Friday night was completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Those stewards were doing their job and making decisions they believed were necessary in the best interests of Portadown Football Club and the safety of everyone inside and around the stadium.
Indeed, the Police subsequently praised our Head Steward for his handling of the situation and his response to what was developing.
We fully appreciate that the decision to close the gates caused inconvenience and frustration for supporters who wanted to leave before the final whistle. We apologise for that inconvenience.
But we will not apologise for putting the safety of our supporters, the protection of our volunteers and staff, and the reputation of Portadown Football Club ahead of the actions of a small minority.
There is no place at Shamrock Park for anyone attending a football match with the intention of causing trouble.
Portadown Football Club is proud of the behaviour and support of the overwhelming majority of our supporters. We will continue to do everything within our power to ensure that Shamrock Park remains a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Those who choose to put that at risk should be in no doubt: their behaviour will have consequences.
The club would also like to place on record its sincere appreciation for the actions of our stewards and club medical staff, who responded quickly and professionally to a serious medical incident involving a Coleraine supporter during the first half.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the supporter, his family and those close to him, and we sincerely hope he makes a speedy and full recovery.
We would also like to thank everyone who assisted in dealing with the incident and ensured that the appropriate care was provided.