Following feedback from fans, the Club are reassessing the designated away end to ensure routine for home supporters when coming to a Sincil Bank match day.
At the moment, we are currently varying the away sections between the Stacey West Stand and the Bridge McFarland Stand, depending on the allocation of the away support.
However, this does mean leaving the University Imps Stand empty in the case of the Bridge McFarland being used as an away section.
The Club is working tirelessly with the authorities and Safety Advisors - who have been extremely helpful and supportive - to decipher the best possible outcome to get the most home fans possible into Sincil Bank.
With this in mind, our current proposals are that parts of Blocks 1-3 of the Stacey West Stand will be used by home supporters when smaller away allocations are expected. This means that Blocks 4 and 5 will be used for segregation, while Blocks 6 and 7 of the Stacey West Stand will be used by the away supporters.
The Club's CEO Liam Scully answers our questions to try cover all corners for Imps fans.
What are the plans for segregation at Sincil Bank?
LS: The current plans are to reconsider how we best use the Stacey West Stand, and our current ideal is that through safe segregation, the away club will be accommodated in the Stacey West Stand.
This means that home fans will be sat in 'home sections' - meaning there will be designated home areas moving forward, and supporters will be able to purchase Season Tickets in those 'home areas'.
Why are we doing this?
LS: Since coming into post this has been one of the recurring themes fans have asked us to consider. The fantastic response to Season Ticket sales means we do have limited tickets available for match by match sales and whilst it is a very nice problem to have, we would like to do our utmost to ensure casual fans, exiles and potential new fans have the opportunity to attend all games, in particular the well-attended ‘marquee’ fixtures.
Is this happening immediately?
LS: No, we are currently working with the authorities and Safety Advisors who are open and supportive of our proposals, however we do need to respect their professional advice in relation to crowd safety, in particular crowding of high foot flow areas. I do wish to place on record our thanks to the authorities who have been very supportive and are doing their absolute best to support our plans. We will keep all supporters updated as and when we have an outcome of our meetings.
What's stopping us implementing these plans straight away?
LS: We do need to alleviate concerns around foot flow and the capacity of the area between the Co-op Stand and the Stacey West Stand as well as other operational concerns such as catering and toilet facilities
Will Lower Block 7 be open every week?
LS: Going forward that is the plan. We will have to respect police and other internal and external safety advice so this may alter occasionally for these reasons.
With Carlisle United and Luton Town fixtures approaching, what's the segregation situation?
LS: Both Carlisle United and Luton Town will be housed in the Stacey West Stand. Lower Block 7 will be open for home supporters meaning that approximately 2100-2300 tickets will be made available across the ground for game by game purchases.
To reiterate the key points:
This is our approach at present, and we are working closely with the authorities and Safety Advisors - who are being very supportive - to find the best solution for our supporters. At this stage we are only communicating our intentions.
We are looking to use the Bridge McFarland and University Imps Stand as a home area moving forward.
We are hoping to be able to use Blocks 1-3 of the Stacey West Stand as a home end when smaller away allocations are expected.
When bigger allocations are expected the Stacey West Stand will be closed for home supporters but we aim to keep Lower Block 7 open for home supporters should there been a need to do so.
If you do have any comments of questions on this matter please email these to our designated Supporter Liaison Officer Alan Long - alan.long@lincolncityfc.co.uk
Thanks for your understanding, Up The Imps!
