Aberdeen are still waiting for their ticket allocation for the Scottish Cup trip to Darvel after raising safety concerns over the proposed 4000 capacity at tiny Recreation Park.
The Ayrshire club planned to hand over 1750 briefs to the Dons and keep 2250 for the biggest game in their history. But an independent review of the safety documentation for their ground is now to be held - and might not conclude until next week just days before the tie which goes ahead on Monday, January 23. Aberdeen safety bosses have concerns over the area set aside for the away support.
Darvel - who Record Sport understands have spent £50,000 on three emergency exits and anti-crush barriers to get their home up to speed - hope to have the situation resolved by the weekend with Aberdeen’s allocation to be slashed if they don’t get their 4000 capacity passed. A spokesman for the West of Scotland Premier League club revealed the concerns were raised at Wednesday’s Safety Advisor Group meeting chaired by East Ayrshire Council, Aberdeen FC and Police Scotland. The spokesman said: “Aberdeen’s safety team, while not having issues with the calculation methods used, have raised concerns about the dynamic flow of the supporters during the match.
“This has resulted in Darvel FC now at the 11th hour looking for an independent review of the safety documentation which we hope to have carried out by the weekend or early next week.”
Home tickets are set to go on sale this week but Dons fans will have to wait for the outcome of the review which could drag into next week. The tie against a side five tiers above them is the biggest game in Darvel’s 133-year existence.
Boss Mick Kennedy revealed the Ayrshire club could have cashed-in on January’s glamour tie by moving it to nearby Rugby Park thanks to his chairman John Gall’s close ties with Kilmarnock supremo Billy Bowie. But speaking to Record Sport after the draw in November, Kennedy said: “The game will go ahead at Recreation Park.
“We need to try and manage the dynamics of the game as best we can. Aberdeen coming to town will be a momentous occasion.
“For Darvel fans it’s what dreams are made of. It’s a huge day for the town. And for us it’s big in developing more community engagement and getting more fans behind us.
“It’s going to play a significant role in the club’s future. It’s at an early stage but we want to maximise the occasion because I would imagine Aberdeen will bring a sizeable crowd with them.”
