David Jeffrey backs the decision of the Coleraine board to let fans in

It looked like the weeks of planning and expense would be for nothing as an eleventh hour ruling from the Minister of the Communities stated fans should not be permitted to attending sporting events.

But with supporters already inside the ground, and after seeking guidance, the Bannsiders made the call to allow fans to continue to attend.

Sky Blues boss Jeffrey agreed this was the correct call.

“I’m not going to start playing politics but what I am going to say is that everyone knew this game was on tonight for quite some time,” he said after the game.

“If I’m understanding the facts right for the club, being Coleraine, to be told at 6pm they couldn’t admit fans having gone through the painstaking work of making sure that the ground was prepared for social distancing and having engaged quite a number of Eventsec folk to ensure that was there.

“To then be told you can’t let supporters in – never mind the disappointment of the fans – think of what potentially could have happened.

“If you have paid an amount of money and then you’re told you’re not allowed in an hour and three-quarters before kick-off – how would you feel?

“I would feel totally aggrieved.

“I’ve said to Colin McKendry in terms of a moral high ground or a principle that was the right thing to do.

“Maybe if there hadn’t have been any Coleraine supporters I wouldn’t have got any stick.

“From a pure footballing point of view, we need supporters in.

“And it’s not just about the atmosphere.

“You see if we don’t have supporters coming in – then there’s no income, absolutely none.

“I said to Colin that he would enjoy my full support with that.

“I’m not trying to play politics or give out to people but I can’t for the life of me work it out.

“I’m glad that the game was played, I’m delighted that we’ve won the game but I’m glad the supporters were in watching.

“Hopefully, with the example of how well tonight went, that will set down a marker to show we can go with a set of supporters and that when supporters do come in they do respect the social distancing and do adhere and they do comply.

“On that basis I think tonight was a success.”

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