Bristol Rovers will start the 2022/23 season with a reduced capacity in the Thatcher's Terrace as punishment for the pitch invasions at the Mem towards the end of the last campaign.
Supporters poured onto the pitch after the 0-0 draw with Forest Green Rovers, which has subsequently led to four fans receiving banning orders through the courts, and twice in the 7-0 season-ending victory over Scunthorpe United.
As a result, the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which includes members from the local council, police force, other emergency services and the EFL, have written to Rovers with sanctions to be imposed for the matches against Forest Green on July 30 and Oxford United on August 13 at the Mem. If certain criteria is met, normal capacity will be restored for the following home game against Shrewsbury Town on August 27.
Bristol Live understands Avon & Somerset Police have long been concerned with the lack of stairway access throughout the Thatcher's End and the reduction is 10 per cent of capacity in that stand, or around 300 fans.
Supporters who had purchased tickets for that area of the ground will now be moved to other parts of the ground, which may mean exchanging a standing ticket for a seated one. In a statement Rovers detailed that the club will cancel the tickets for the Thatchers Terrace and re-issue another ticket.
Rovers have previously stated that both the Forest Green and Oxford games are sell-outs, and that season ticket sales for the forthcoming campaign have exceeded 5,000.
“The safety of our supporters is our first priority and we are working with the Safety Advisory Group to demonstrate that we can meet their criteria to increase the capacity of the stadium back to its normal levels as soon as possible," said Bristol Rovers CEO Tom Gorringe.
"In order to have these sanctions lifted, the club is relying on all fans inside the stadium to abide by our regulations, with a particular focus on keeping the stairways clear. If we can show an exemplary demonstration of this for the first two home games, then the club has every right to seek a return to full capacity for the remainder of the season.
"As a club, these sanctions hit us hard. Tickets are already at a premium, so further reductions like this directly affect the number of our supporters that can attend games which, in turn, has large financial implications on the football club in what remains a difficult economic backdrop.
"At this time, we ask all supporters to work with us during the ticketing process and on these matchdays to help us move past this and ensure that we can have as many supporters as possible attending matches safely in the future.”
After a lengthy investigation, the Football Association last month hit Rovers with two charges of failing to control their fans, following the promotion-sealing victory over Scunthorpe on May 7 in which supporters first spilled onto the pitch following Elliot Anderson's goal and then at full-time. The FA are yet to announce what Rovers' punishment is.
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