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The capacity of Hereford United's Edgar Street has been cut because of requirements under the Health and Safety rules. The Blackfriars End, pictured, will be closed this season due to its crumbling state. And tomorrow there will be a fire drill at the ground during half-time in the friendly against Bristol City. Should the evacuation of the main stand take too long, its capacity could be cut which might result in the overall capacity of the ground dropping under 5,000.
If that was to happen it could mean that the ground would fail to meet the requirements for a Football League Stadium.
So what are the current rules? Below are some of the minimum requirements, from the FA, for a club wishing to play in League Two.
1. GROUND
It must be possible for spectators to view the match, either standing or seated, for the full length of at least three sides of the playing area, provided that the capacity requirements detailed under 1.3 are met. Where one side is designated as spectator free, measures must be in place to ensure there is no unauthorised access.
If there are any extraneous objects, or buildings within the boundary of the ground or the ground has an irregular configuration of seating, standing and covered areas that do not conform to the recognised standard design of a football stadium, the club may not be awarded a category “A” Grading.
The location of the ground, in so far as its relation to the conurbation whose name the club bears, or is traditionally associated with, must meet with the approval of The Football Association and the Board of Directors of The Football Conference.
1.1 Security of Tenure
The club must either:
(a) own the freehold of the ground
(b) have a leasehold interest in the ground for a minimum of ten years, or
(c) possess an agreement for the use of the ground that is acceptable to The Football Association and The Football Conference.
In addition, the club must disclose:
(a) Whether any Director or material shareholder of the club or any connected person or company has a financial interest in the ground.
(b) Whether the club’s occupation of the ground is subject to any third party option.
(c) If any applicable planning consent are subject to restrictions, and
(d) Whether the ground is charged by way of security.
(e) Any break clauses in the lease exercisable either by landlord or tenant. The club must provide copies of any documents so disclosed and The Football Association and The Football Conference reserve the right to call for further information.
1.2 Ground Share
Ground sharing is permitted in accordance with the provisions of individual league rules and regulations.
1.3 Capacity
The stadium must have a minimum capacity of 4,000 spectators, including the seated spectators, as certified by the local authority or calculated by a competent person, in accordance with the “Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds”, (Green Guide) current edition at the time of inspection, with the potential to achieve a capacity of 5,000 in the future. The Football Association and the Football Conference reserve the right to appoint a suitably qualified person to review and, if found necessary, amend the capacity figure.
Final planning permission together with a business strategy plan with realistic timescales must be available to achieve the 5,000 capacity.
The club must have the ability to segregate home and visiting supporters. Any segregated area must have exclusive entrances, exits, ladies and gentlemens toilet facilities and catering facilities. The latter may be of the mobile type.
1.4 Boundary of the Ground
The ground must be enclosed with an external boundary wall of sound construction, secure on all sides of the ground and sufficient to deter would be climbers. The boundary must be of sound construction of pre cast concrete, brick, breezeblock or metal cladding with steel or concrete posts and be of a minimum height of 1.83 metres as measured from outside the ground. Whilst lapped timber, latch panel wood fences and wire mess fences with wooden posts may be acceptable, hedges, shrubs and/or trees will not be accepted.
Where one side of the ground is formed of private property, the fixed boundary of that private land/property may be acceptable as the boundary of the ground.
1.5 Clubhouse
There must be a clubhouse facility either on or adjacent to the ground and that should open on match days to provide refreshments to spectators.
1.6 Parking Facilities
Parking facilities must be provided for directors, with a minimum number of 4 places for visiting directors.
There must be safe parking arrangements for the visiting team's coach.
Parking facilities must also be provided for the match officials.
Car parking within the boundary of the ground on match days may not be acceptable.
1.7 Pitch Perimeter Barrier
Subject to the provisions detailed below, there must be a permanent fixed barrier of sound construction (e.g. concrete and steel) and free from all sharp edges, surrounding the playing area on all sides that may be occupied by spectators. Existing barriers/rails that are not at 1.1 metres high may be acceptable provided they meet the requirements set out in 1.7 of the Appendix. The barrier, if other than solid wall type of construction, must be infilled. Advertising boards may be
acceptable as a means of infill.
There should ideally be 2.75 metres, but no less than 2.25 metres between the touchline, goal line and the pitch perimeter barrier.
Immediately in front of seated accommodation the boundary of the playing area may be indicated by means other than a permanent fixed barrier, provided that the Club is able to provide assurances that no spectator will be allowed to stand in this are to watch the match.
Where there is a walkway in front of a standing terrace that itself is fronted by a crush barrier that has been subject to an annual risk assessment and, if necessary, tested, an alternative to a fixed barrier (e.g. “A” Frames) may be used, provided no spectators are allowed to stand in this area to watch the match. The Club must implement a safety management system to ensure this and also to protect the integrity of the playing area.
1.8 Pitch Standards
The playing surface must be grass, unless authorised by the respective Board of Directors or Management Committee, and must be of a high standard. It must be level and free from surface depressions and excessive undulations.
The maximum slope allowable shall not exceed an even gradient of vertical to horizontal 1: 41 in any direction.
The playing surface must be maintained to the highest possible standards.
1.9 Playing Area
The playing area must be a minimum of 100 metres x 64 metres and should conform to the requirements of the Laws of the Game.
Goalposts and goal net supports should be of professional manufacture and conform to the current safety requirements and the requirements of the Laws of the Game.
The Club must be responsible for the up keep of the playing area. The details of any other person/company/organisation responsible for the up keep of the playing area, on behalf of the club, must be disclosed to The Football Association and The Football Conference Board.
1.10 Technical Area
Two covered trainers’ boxes clearly marked “Home” and “Away or Visitors” must be provided unless adequate provision is made in a seated stand. They should be on the same side of the pitch either side of the halfway line, equidistant from it, and, ideally, a minimum of 3 metres apart and provide an unobstructed view of the playing area.
Each of the seating areas must be able to accommodate a minimum of 11 adults on fixed seats or benches. Where bench seating is provided, a minimum of 0.5m must be allowed for each person. (i.e. 11 persons require a minimum of 5.5 metres) Portable trainers’ boxes are permitted but must be securely fixed while in use.
The Technical Area must be clearly marked, as defined in the Laws of the Game.
1.11 Safe Walkway
There must be safe unimpeded passage for players and officials between their dressing rooms and the pitch.
The use of protection designed products such as retractable tunnels or permanent structures to separate players and spectators is recommended.
1.12 Floodlighting
Floodlights must be provided to an average lux reading of 250. No single reading can be less than 100 lux nor less than one quarter of the highest reading so as to ensure an even spread of light.
1.13 Public Address System
A public address system must be provided which is clearly audible in all areas of the ground which can be occupied by spectators.
1.14 Entrances
There must be at least 8 spectator entrances to control the ingress of spectators. These must be controlled by fully operational turnstiles of the revolving type and must be suitably housed and lit. Adequate protection for the turnstile operator must be incorporated. These entrances should be placed in appropriate positions around the boundary of the ground and take into account the requirements of segregation. It must be possible to gain access to the spectator viewing areas from the turnstiles via a bound surface minimum width of 1 metre.
1.15 Exits
The location and number of ground exits must be approved by the local Safety Authority or competent person and comply with the Green Guide. There must be access via a bound surface to all exits from the nearest spectator viewing areas. All exits must be clearly signed, ideally with “running man” signs, and are kept free and free from obstructions.
1.16 Lighting
There must be an emergency lighting system for all spectator areas and concourses as required by the local Safety Authority or approved by a competent person.
1.17 Adjoining Pitches
Where deemed that they are likely to interfere with the playing of a match ball games must not be played on adjoining pitches whilst a match is in progress.
1.18 Emergency Access
Access must be provided for emergency services maintained free from obstruction.
2. SPECTATOR FACILITIES
2.1 Spectator Accommodation
Development, in addition to hard standing, must be on more than one side of the ground.
Covered accommodation, which should preferably be on at least two sides of the ground, must be of sound construction of timber/steel/brick/concrete or any combination of these materials. Existing timber stands are only acceptable subject to fire assessment. The minimum covered seated accommodation must be 500, of which at least 250 shall be seats located in one stand. These seats may be inclusive of Directors/Committee and press seating.
A minimum of FOUR risers is required to the dimensions recommended in the Green Guide. In order to meet the sight line requirements it is recommended that the first line of seating is located above pitch level. There must be an unobstructed view from the lowest level of the seated area.
All seating should afford a good view of the pitch and be clean, functional and in good condition.
Seats should ideally be tip-up type with back rests. Alternatively, other then the Directors Box, the seats can be of the plastic moulded type complete with backrests or other types of seats provided they have backrests.
Existing bench seating may be permitted provided that it is in good repair and that individual spaces (min 500mm) are clearly marked. However, these bench seats are not to be classed as “in lieu” of the 500 indicated above.
Temporary structures may not be accepted for seating.
The Directors Box should enjoy a prime position in the main stand. There must be individual seats and the Home and Away areas clearly marked.
Home - minimum number of seats 24
Away - minimum number of seats 16
Standing spectators are not allowed in or near a seated spectators’ stand where they can obstruct the views.
Areas where no spectators are permitted to stand must be clearly marked with hatched yellow markings.
Clubs must be able to demonstrate that visiting supporters can be segregated when necessary.
2.2 Press Seating
A minimum of 12 seats must be provided with lighting and writing facilities for the use by the press and other media. The press seating must have a clear view of the field of play.
2.3 Terracing
All terracing must be in sound condition and must comply with the requirements of the Green Guide.
Terracing that is crumbling, has grass/weeds growing through it or has broken or loose concrete will not be accepted.
Any level surfaces within the ground must be hard standing. i.e. tarmac, concrete, concrete paving or other approved materials. Spectator standing areas behind the goals must be terraced. The number of terrace steps to be commensurate in achieving the overall ground capacity.
2.4 Toilets
There must be adequate toilet facilities for men and women in each area of the ground commensurate with the capacity of that area in accordance with the Green Guide.
A minimum of two units of toilet facilities must be provided located in two separate areas within the ground, excluding those located in the clubhouse, or accessible only from within the main stand. Each unit to contain the minimum of:
Male: 4 - urinals or equivalent and two WC’s
Female: 2 - WCs
In addition, there must be hand wash basins with running water, warm air hand driers and/or paper towel dispenser and waste bins in each toilet area.
All toilet areas must be in working order, with a roof and operational lighting, supplied with toilet paper and maintained to the highest level of cleanliness.
These facilities may be of the temporary or mobile type and must be connected directly to main water and drainage supplies. They must be fully accessable with permanent access.
The location of all toilet facilities must be suitably signed.
2.5 Refreshment Facilities
2.5.1 Directors/Committee/Guests
A separate Directors room, ideally near to or adjacent to the Directors seating, must be made available in which refreshments for Directors and guests can be served. The room must be able to accommodate a minimum of 24 persons with nearby toilet facilities.
2.5.2 Ground Refreshment Facilities
Refreshment facilities must be available to spectators in each separate area of the ground. These may be of the mobile type.
3. DRESSING ROOM FACILITIES
3.1 Players
Separate dressing rooms must be provided for the teams within the enclosed area of the ground. The dressing rooms must be of sound construction of a permanent nature. The minimum size for each changing area is 18 sq. metres excluding the shower and toilets areas and each dressing room must have:-
(a) A shower area comprising at least 4 shower heads
Note: 6 shower heads are required to meet the Football League criteria.
(b) One hand wash basin located outside the shower area. All of the above must have hot and cold running water
(c) Two urinals
(d) One WC
There must be a cushioned treatment table which is clean and in good condition in each dressing room.
3.2 Match Officials
The size of the match officials’ dressing room must be a minimum of 6 square metres excluding the toilet and shower areas.
The match officials’ dressing room must have:-
At least one shower, one wash basin (both with hot and cold running water)
At least one WC
Provision should be made for separate dressing rooms for both male and female match officials. Where new dressing rooms are being constructed or existing ones are being re-designed, separate purpose built facilities for both male and female match officials must be provided.
There must be an audible electronic warning device (bell or buzzer) in working order located in the match officials’ dressing room linked to both players’ dressing rooms.
NOTE: ALL DRESSING ROOM AREAS MUST BE MAINTAINED TO A HIGH STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS AND TO BE HEATED, WELL VENTILATED AND SECURE ON MATCH DAYS.
4. MEDICAL
There must be a suitably equipped medical treatment room for players located in the vicinity of the players' dressing rooms. Access to this room must not be via the home or away dressing rooms.
There must be a suitably equipped and designated First Aid Room for spectators within the boundary of the ground fitted out with services in accordance with Health & Safety requirements. The designated room must contain a bed or comfortable seating, with cold and, ideally, hot water, together with paper towels.
The first aid room and the location of the room must be suitably sign posted.
At least one stretcher for the removal of injured players from the field of play must be provided.
