Post by QPR Report on Jul 19, 2009 8:36:46 GMT
Grimsby Official Site - Luton Game Off
Posted on: Sun 19 Jul 2009
IT is with deep regret that Town have withdrawn from the Errea Southwest Challenge Cup Final against Luton due not being able to reach agreement on the kick off time.
Unfortunately Grimsby Town and Luton Town could reach joint agreement to play the game at a time advised by the local constabulary.
The police were taking into account intelligence and potential conflict with some Luton Town supporters which presented a real risk in the opinion of our club, event organisers and the police.
Town chairman has been in consultation with the event organisers all afternoon going into the late evening. Paul Morris of the Devon County FA, advised after liaison with police officials and fed back to both clubs that the police had highly recommended that the game kick-off at 3PM a time at which police support could be on hand.
Grimsby Town Football Club had two genuine concerns. The escalation of pointed vocal friction by Luton fans at the Yeovil game and again at today's game as witnessed by many. The second was to help ensure fresh legs available for our important fixture scheduled for Monday night's cup fixture against Sc**thorpe Town. This concern was negated by the concession to have 10 subs and genially did not impinge on the decision to withdraw from the competition.
The club wish to make it absolutely clear that our club's withdrawal from the competition is based solely on grounds of safety.
Sadly Luton Town officials did not see the risk as being significant, although both managers seemed agreeable to an earlier kick off Luton Town's hierarchy insisted on the scheduled 6PM kick off time.
Stewards had been deployed at the Rushden game to keep a keen eye on Luton supporters who were clearly intent on getting at Mike Newell. To this extent there became a real concern when it was clear that the Mariners were going to be in Sunday's final against Luton Town. It was important that safety at the game be a priority, and with limited stewarding capacity, our club had to ensure that safety for all could be maintained in accordance with police advice and their suggested availability, and their advised 3PM kick-off time.
The Mariners were happy to agree to the police request for a 3PM kick-off but Luton Town unfortunately were not.
We understand this decision is disappointing to travelling fans from both teams but in the interest of safety, in conjunction with resources available, our club is left with no alternative but to withdraw from the competition.
Chairman John Fenty said: "We would like to thank the organisers for what has been a well organised tournament; they like ourselves are very disappointed.
"As ever our travelling fans have been excellent and superbly behaved and we are sorry to have let them down by what we believe to be very responsible and unavoidable decisions. They are a true credit to our club".
www.grimsby-townfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~1726760,00.html