Details following the latest ATT meeting
At the All Together Town meeting on Thursday 30 January, it was proposed a trial be undertaken on a ‘Singing Section’ behind the goal in the Fantastic Media Stand Lower Tier (click HERE for a review of the meeting).
As part of this process, on Tuesday 4 February Huddersfield Town Operations Director Ann Hough attended the Events Panel (EP) meeting to put forward the Club’s plans for a ‘Singing Section’ in the FM Lower as a trial for home games against Barnsley on 1 March and Bolton Wanderers on 5 April.
This is currently a stand already used for home fans, but nominated as a Family Stand. Adults can walk up and pay on the day, but must be accompanied by an Under-18. It has 736 Season Card holders and a capacity of 1,944 before any restrictions.
The plan would see it become an ‘open access’ stand for the trial games with ‘singers’ encouraged to move to that stand (if they are existing Season Card holders). They could be joined by pay on the gate fans that wish to congregate and create an enhanced atmosphere behind the goal. The idea comes after a lengthy and detailed consultation with supporters through Town’s All Together Town initiative.
At the EP meeting, it was decided that it was appropriate to convene an emergency meeting of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) to consider the plan.
This was decided as the Events Panel felt the plan changes the dynamics of the game in respect of policing and stewarding.
The SAG meeting will be held on Thursday 13 February.
Following the outcome of the SAG meeting, a decision will be made as to whether the ‘Singing Section’ idea can proceed. If it can proceed, existing Season Card holders in that stand will be given the option of moving.
Huddersfield Town Operations Director Ann Hough commented:
“Just like all parties based at the Stadium complex, we have to go through this set-out process when making changes to usual processes. Huddersfield Town works together with the Events Panel and Safety Advisory Group, detailing future plans so that all parties on site are aware.
“In this case, the Safety Advisory Group has been convened to look at the effect and potential risk of changing the demographic of supporters in the Fantastic Media Stand Lower Tier, which consists of temporary seating.”
htafc.com will have updates in due course.
Events Panel
The Events panel has representatives from KSDL, namely Safety Officer John Robinson; Safety Licence Holder Phil Armitage and HR & Event Manager Jayne Armitage, plus representatives from the Odeon Cinema, the Football Club and the Rugby Club, KAL, Lindley (Caterers) with West Yorkshire Police in attendance.
The principal functions of the Events Panel is to agree policies for the hiring and use of all facilities within the Stadium and to agree with the clubs their respective requirements from time to time for policing fixtures and events, stewarding and gate staffing levels.
SAG
The SAG consists of representatives from all the emergency services plus Safety Officer John Robinson, Safety Licence Holder Phil Armitage and is Chaired by Nigel Boothroyd, who is Head of Kirklees Council building control. Huddersfield Town is not a member, but is invited to attend to make representations on the plans.
The role of the SAG is explained HERE
