Ground Regulations

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE – GROUND REGULATIONS                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Entry to the Ground is expressly subject to acceptance by the visitor of these Ground Regulations and the rules and regulations of FIFA, UEFA, The Football Association and The National League in respect of the relevant competition. The Ground Regulations incorporate the Club’s Customer Charter and entry to the Ground shall constitute acceptance of theses Ground Regulations.

Definitions

“Club” means this football club. “Football Authority” means each of The National League, The Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, the Premier League, the EFL, FIFA, UEFA and any other relevant governing body of association football. “Illegal Substance” means any drug which is not legally obtainable, or which is legally obtainable but has not been legally obtained. The term includes prescribed drugs not being used for prescribed purposes. “Ground” means this football stadium and all locations owned, occupied or utilised by the Club. “Match” means any association football match (or any part or aspect of such a match) taking place at the Ground. “Material” means any audio, visual and/or audio-visual material and/or any information or data. “Supporter Code of Conduct” means any code of conduct to be adhered to by all those attending the Ground which can be found on – or accessed via – the Club’s website or can be provided upon written request to the Club (if applicable).

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1. Notwithstanding possession of any ticket the Club, any police officer or authorised steward may refuse entry to (or eject from) the Ground any person:
   1.1. that fails (or in the Club’s reasonable opinion is likely to fail) to comply with these Ground Regulations and/or the Supporter Code of Conduct and/or any reasonable instruction issued by a police officer or authorised steward or officer of the Club; and/or
   1.2. whose presence within the Ground is, or could (in the Club’s reasonable opinion), constitute a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any other person.
2. On no account will admission be granted to a person:
   2.1. who is the subject of a current Banning Order under the Football Spectators Act 1989 (as amended); or
   2.2. who has been convicted of ticket touting offences under section 166 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (as amended); or
   2.3 who is under the age of 14 years unless accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years and over.
3. The Club excludes to the maximum extent permitted by law any liability for loss, injury or damage to persons/property in or around the Ground.
4. No guarantees can be given by the Club that a Match will take place at a particular time or on a particular date and the Club reserves the right to reschedule the Match without notice and without any liability whatsoever, save only to the extent provided pursuant to paragraph 5.
5. In the event of the postponement or abandonment of the Match, refunds (if any) will be made in accordance with the Club’s Customer Charter. The Club will have no further liability whatsoever, including (but not limited to) any indirect or consequential loss or damage, such as (but not limited to) loss of enjoyment or travel costs.
6. All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Club’s right to search any person entering the Ground and to refuse entry to or eject from the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search.
7. The following articles must not be brought within the Ground – knives, Illegal Substances, fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety. Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to the Ground.
8. Further, you may not bring into the Ground:
   8.1. any sponsorship, promotional or marketing materials save in respect of official club merchandise and/or other football related clothing worn in good faith;
   8.2. any flags or banners larger than those maximum dimensions permitted by the Club from time to time (or, in the absence of such stipulations, 2 metres x 1 metre) and/or of an offensive nature;
   8.3. nor may you offer (either free or for sale by any person) any goods (including literature) of any nature, without the express written approval of the Club’s management.
9. The following activities are strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground:
   9.1. using words that are, or behaving in a manner that is, threatening, abusive, insulting, foul, improper, offensive, violent, indecent, or provocative. This shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, engaging in chanting or other non-verbal actions or gestures concerning football or other tragedies (whether done at a Match, in-person or remotely, via any electronic communication, social media or otherwise). Any individual found to have engaged in such activity may be subject to a ban from all Matches and other association football matches (or any part or aspect of such a match);
   9.2. attempting to enter the Ground or be inside the Ground whilst under the influence of an Illegal Substance; and/or
   9.3. being in possession of an Illegal Substance when entering the Ground or inside the Ground.
10. Racial, homophobic or discriminatory abuse, chanting or harassment is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground.
11. The following acts are offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 (as amended):
    11.1. the throwing of any object within the Ground without lawful authority or excuse;
    11.2. the chanting of anything of an indecent or racialist nature;
    11.3. the entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful authority or excuse;
    11.4. the entry or attempted entry to a premises without an eligible match ticket.

Conviction may result in a Banning Order being made.

1. All persons entering the Ground may only occupy the seat allocated to them by their ticket (including those who have tickets to any Licensed Standing In Seated Areas (if any) pursuant to paragraph 15 below) and must not move from any one part of the Ground to another without the express permission or instruction of any steward, officer of the Club and/or any police officer.
2. Nobody may stand in any seating area whilst play is in progress (except those persons who have tickets in any Licensed Standing In Seated Areas pursuant to paragraph 15 below). Persistent standing in seated areas other than Licensed Standing In Seated Areas whilst play is in progress is strictly forbidden and may result in ejection from the Ground.
3. The obstruction of gangways, access ways, exits and entrances, stairways and like places is strictly forbidden. Nobody entering the Ground shall be permitted to climb any structures within the Ground.
4. Where the Club operates licensed standing in seated accommodation areas at the Ground as part of the UK Government’s scheme on safe standing in conjunction with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (the “Licensed Standing In Seated Areas”):
5. Only ticketholders who have tickets to the Licensed Standing In Seated Areas are permitted to access them.
6. Ticket holders must occupy the space in front of their allocated seat only and must not move elsewhere.
7. Spectators should expect that others will be standing while play is in progress.
8. Sitting or standing on rails or seats is prohibited.
9. Ticketholders must behave respectfully and remain in their designated space.
10. Failure to comply may lead to ejection and/or bans, and may jeopardise the Ground’s right to operate Licensed Standing In Seated Areas.
11. National League stadia are smoke-free and smoking or the use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted inside the Ground.
12. Mobile telephones and other devices are permitted within the Ground PROVIDED THAT:
    (i) they are used for personal and private use only; and
    (ii) no Material captured may be published or otherwise made available to third parties including via social media.
13. Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 (as amended), the following are offences for which arrest and conviction could result in a Banning Order:
    18.1. attempting to enter the Ground or being inside the Ground whilst drunk; and/or
    18.2. being in possession of intoxicating liquor, or a container which could cause damage or injury, when entering or in a viewing area of the Ground.
14. Any individual who has entered an area of the Ground designated for use of another group of supporters may be ejected for safety or other reasons.
15. Save as set out in paragraph 17 above, no person may capture, record, transmit or otherwise communicate any Material in relation to the Match without appropriate licence or Club approval.
16. The copyright, database rights and any other intellectual property rights in and to all Material that you produce at the Ground in relation to the Match, any players or other persons present in the Ground and/or the Ground (whether produced in breach of paragraph 20 above, or pursuant to paragraph 17 above, or otherwise) is hereby assigned to the Club and The National League. You further agree to promptly execute all instruments and do all things necessary to vest such rights to the Club and The National League.
17. No goods (including literature) of any nature may be offered either free or for sale by any person within the Ground without the express written permission of the Club.
18. Tickets are not transferable and may not be offered for sale without the prior written permission of the Club or otherwise in accordance with ticket terms and conditions. Breach may result in confiscation, refusal of admission, or ejection. Tickets remain the property of the Club.
19. CCTV cameras are in use around and in the Ground. Body worn video cameras may also be used to record prohibited behaviours. The Club may use or pass recordings to the police, The National League, or other clubs.
20. All persons must comply with steward, officer, and/or police instructions at all times (including health and safety requirements). Failure may lead to ejection.
21. By entering the Ground, all persons acknowledge that photographic images and/or recordings may be taken of them and used in coverage of the game and/or for promotional, editorial or marketing purposes by the Club, The National League or others (including commercial partners and accredited media). Entry constitutes consent.
22. Recordings may also be used to identify individuals where permitted by data protection law for the purposes of preventing or detecting crime or breaches of these Ground Regulations.
23. All ticket holders agree that Matches are public events and that their actions inside and around the Ground have no expectation of privacy. Parents/guardians accompanying under-18s are deemed to provide consent on their behalf.
24. Refused entry or ejection may lead to further action by the Club including, but not limited to, withdrawal of season tickets, membership and other benefits without reimbursement.

Please read the applicable Terms & Conditions of Entry.