'Heavier police presence' in place for weekend Irish League derby as club outline 'zero-tolerance policy' after £2,000 fine
Portadown have revealed there will be a “heavier police presence” in operation for Saturday’s Mid-Ulster derby fixture against rivals Glenavon due to incidents which occurred during and after a meeting between the pair in February.
The Ports and Glenavon will both get their Premiership split schedule underway at Mourneview Park this weekend.
Following their last meeting at the Lurgan venue, Portadown were fined over £2,000 after missiles and flares were thrown onto the pitch, while there was also damage to seats and a toilet block area.
The PSNI made three arrests outside the ground after the match for what Portadown labelled “antisocial behaviour”.
After a meeting involving the PSNI, ABC Council and both clubs earlier this week, the Ports have now confirmed a larger police presence will be in operation and a “zero-tolerance policy” implemented.
The Shamrock Park club have outlined the financial impact following “antisocial and dangerous behaviour” on February 28 and called for it to stop amid a threat from the council of restrictions being placed on future matches.
Portadown said in a statement: “Ahead of our match against Glenavon at Mourneview Park this Saturday, Portadown Football Club would like to make known the costs which were incurred during our last visit and the impact this has on the club not to mention our loyal supporters.
“Due to damage to a number of seats and to the toilet block area, added to the fact that we were fined by the IFA for missiles and flares being lit and thrown onto the pitch, this antisocial and dangerous behaviour has cost Portadown Football club over £2000 – this is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any shape or form.
“The club has been engaging, and will continue to engage positively with the IFA, Glenavon and the PSNI regarding this situation.
“Three arrests were also made following the previous game after further antisocial behaviour outside the ground, with the PSNI continuing to dissect CCTV footage with a view to further action.
“The three young people who were arrested, will now face a stadium ban alongside a potential criminal record, which could hinder their future academic or working careers.
“If you are one of those young adults involved, ask yourself if it is worth jeopardising your future and your career due to this senseless behaviour, not to mention the impact it is having on the club you claim to support.
“At a meeting last night the PSNI informed both clubs, as well as representatives from ABC Council that lessons have been learnt from the game between the clubs at Mourneview Park in February with a heavier police and CCTV presence in operation at this Saturdays game, with a zero-tolerance policy being implemented.
“Portadown FC wholly encourages the use of tifos, drums, club colours & flags and making plenty of noise to encourage our team, and as a club, we will help with this is in whatever way we can.
“We have an open line of communication, but if we continue to receive bills and fines for illegal activity and damage, this will severely impact on the quality of player we will be able to put out onto the pitch to play for our club, not to mention the inconvenience for your fellow supporter.
“For instance, as a result of the actions at Mourneview Park we now have to hold our own supporters back for 10 minutes following the end of games at Shamrock Park.
"ABC Council have also made it clear that a continuation of this type of anti-social and dangerous behaviour could result in restrictions being put on future Mid-Ulster derbies, which could include limiting stadium capacity, making games all ticket and the enforcement of further security personnel in attendance which of course would be at a substantial cost to clubs.
“Please note that pyrotechnics of any description are dangerous and are banned from games under the ground regulations and the IFA Disciplinary code as they could lead to serious injury.
“The PSNI as well as Portadown Football Club will not hesitate to take action against any individual who ignores this appeal and endangers the safety of any supporter, player or staff member.
“Everyone at the club, most of whom are volunteers, work very hard each and every day to assist with the financial commitments that a Northern Irish Premiership club has – may that be player wages, rates, VAT bills, fuel, heat and electricity amongst a host of other expenses, so it is very disheartening when the club have to use some of that hard earned money for needless fines such as this, especially at a time when we have one home match in a 5 week period until the end of the season.
“Can we please add that the vast majority of Portadown supporters are superb and it is vital that they are not let down by the actions of a few.”