Due to both sides progression in the FA Cup the home fixture with Hebburn on Saturday 14th September has been re-arranged for Tuesday 1st October with a 7:45pm Kick off.

Post match reaction from manager, Nick Spooner and winning goalscorer, Jake Thompson

 

We can announce the signing of forward Jake Thompson.

Thompson has signed for the Tigers following the termination of his contract at Radcliffe FC.

Thompson has experience in this division after winning this division with Radcliffe last season.

Since joining in May of 2022 from fellow Northern Premier League side Bamber Bridge, Thompson has lined up at of the positions in the Radcliffe attack, on both wings and leading the line.

 

Ahead of our match in the FA Cup at FC United of Manchester tomorrow some things to be aware of:-

The match is segregated

• Away turnstiles (11 & 12) open at 1.30pm. Both home and away turnstiles close at 3.15pm. Away supporters will have access to a bar and food kiosk, which will also serve hot drinks.
• To avoid queuing at the turnstiles, we would urge supporters to consider purchasing their match tickets in advance by going to https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=6992
• Cash and card payments are accepted for pay on the gate admission.
  

  Adult	£13
  Concession (65+, disabled, NUS card, in receipt of income support or universal credit)	£9
  18 – 21s	£5
  Under 18s	£3
  Under 5s	FREE

  Disabled supporters pay the relevant admission price (Concession, 18-21s or U18s) and if they require an assistance carer to be present, the carer receives free admission.

Its unfortunate that we post this as a reminder to supporters regarding their behaviour at all games.

We know most of our supporters are respectful and don’t display any discriminatory behaviour towards any of the on-field personnel. But unfortunately, a comment aimed at one of the assistant referees, at the Mickleover game, gave the referee reason to stop the game and inform our home bench of the incident.

Fortunately the incident was dealt with and there wasn’t further cause for the referee to take any action, which could have included taking the players from the field of play until the person responsible was identified and removed from the stadium, and even abandoning the game.

During pre-season we were sent a number of emails by the NPL League informing us of a number of changes for the coming season, including the FA’s new protocol with dealing with discriminatory behaviour.

 

Sadly, with the rise of discriminatory behaviour and language in football, referees are asked to ensure they follow The Football Association’s clear protocols in dealing with such incidents when they arise. A copy of the protocol has been attached to this email for your perusal

The protocol is at the bottom of this news item, and we would ask all supporters to make themselves familiar with it and to ensure they don’t fall foul to it. To do so could result in anyone found to aiming abusive language at anyone on the pitch being reported to police, who could prosecute, and we would ban them from the stadium.

It could also result in sanctions being imposed upon the football club, potentially leading to fines and points deductions.

Protocol for Dealing with Abuse Aimed at Players, Managers or Match Officials by spectators (Step 1-6 (men’s game); tiers 2-4 women’s game)

This protocol aims to deal with discriminatory behaviour by spectators at football matches. The club safety officer, home club representative (e.g. club secretary/chairman), stewards and police are responsible for monitoring, reporting and acting on abuse from spectators.

This protocol applies specifically where incidents are heard or witnessed by players, managers or match officials on the pitch. It aims to ensure that racist, homophobic or other abuse directed at players, managers or match officials is effectively addressed and that participants feel protected.

Offenders should be identified and dealt with efficiently by the club and police, while ensuring that the match is not unduly interrupted.

• The incident should in the first instance be brought to the attention of the referee.
• The referee should report the incident to the home club’s safety officer or responsible home club representative and police via the fourth official. (If there is no fourth official appointed the referee should stop play and report the incident to a member of the home club’s safety management and note the incident with an assistant referee.)
• The police and safety officer/home club representative should seek to identify the person/people responsible and take appropriate action while the match continues.
• If, within an amount of time agreed by the safety officer/home club representative and referee, the problem continues, the referee (in consultation with the police and safety officer/home club representative) may remove the players from the field and suspend the match, allowing the police and safety officer/home club representative a further opportunity to deal with the problem.
• If the matter cannot be dealt with satisfactorily and the welfare of any participants, in terms of the threat of continued abuse, remains at risk, the referee should consider abandoning the match.
• Any decision to suspend or abandon a match should be taken by the referee after full consultation with the police and safety officer/home club representative, and after consultation with the team managers and captains.

Where no police are present in the stadium, the initial decision-making responsibility belongs to the safety officer, including informing the police. Where the safety officer or police are not present initial decision-making responsibility should be made in consultation between the referee and home club representative.

The protocol should be appropriately referenced in pre-match safety briefings for match officials and in the training of match day stewards.

A Meet the Manager evening will take place in the Social Club next Friday evening 9th August at 7PM.

This is your chance to ask Nick Spooner questions ahead of the new season.