We are delighted to be welcoming back supporters to St James Park and ahead of Tuesday night’s Papa John’s Trophy game with Northampton Town we have some important information that we kindly ask all attendees to read.
This information has been put together for your safety, so please take time to familiarise yourself with these rules and regulations. Your new match day experience will be significantly different to what you are used to.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU ARE SHOWING ANY SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 OR ARE IN SELF ISOLATION. BY ATTENDING, YOU ARE CONSENTING THAT YOU ARE FIT AND WELL.
Please watch our guide for all you need to know 👇
Face Masks
Face coverings must be worn at all times as soon as you arrive at the ground, unless you are from an exempt category. They may be removed when eating or drinking but must immediately be placed back on after this, covering both your mouth and your nose.
You can purchase an ECFC face covering from the online shop by clicking here.
Tickets
No tickets are available on match day and both the ticket office and club shop will be closed. Please remember to bring your ticket as we are unable to reprint these for you.
We have received several queries from supporters who had their season tickets refunded and now wish to repurchase these. Unfortunately it remains the case that you cannot repurchase your refunded season ticket but be assured your first refusal place for 2021/22 remains held
Travelling to the Game
Only travel to the game in your household or support bubble. For those being dropped off and picked up from the match, please make arrangements for this to happen away from the ground as there will be no access to the car park at any time.
Ground Entry
We will be operating entry to the ground on a surname basis:
- A-F - 6pm
- G-M - 6.15pm
- N-S - 6.30pm
- T-Z - 6.45pm
On your ticket it is clearly stated which gate to use. You will not enter the ground through the turnstiles and instead all entry will be through the large exit gates adjacent.
Upon entry, please tear off your own ticket stub and place it in the bucket provided. Please then sanitise your hands at the designated point. Retain the main part of your ticket. Stewards to be on hand to assist.
Bags
Please do not bring any bags with you to the game unless absolutely necessary. This is both to speed up entry and also prevent any unnecessary contact with a bag search.
Food and Drink
Our catering kiosks will not be open for any of our upcoming games. You are permitted to bring along your own non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, but please avoid glass and cans. You are allowed to remove your face covering when consuming these.
Seating/Standing
On the Big Bank we have clearly marked each standing space with a red dot, in accordance with social distancing guidelines. Only one person must stand on each place, unless in a family or household bubble, in which case you may stand together. In this instance, you must still remain two metres from other supporters.
In the seated areas your seats have been designated in accordance with social distancing. Please do not move seats. It is unlikely you will in a familiar seat. Please check your tickets and make sure you are aware of your seat location.
Stop/Go System
To maintain everyone’s safety and to prevent people walking in different directions at the same time we will be operating a stop and go system, controlled by our stewards. They will control your entry and exit into the stand.
Do not leave your seat or standing place for any reason unless absolutely essential, for example using the toilet. If leaving your seat and you need to walk past other supporters, please make sure you walk in a sideways motion with your back to them and facing the pitch.
You may be asked to wait at the end of your row until the stairwell is clear before leaving.
During The Match
If the ball enters the stand at any time during the game, please do not touch it. A member of the ball retrieving team will come and collect the ball and santitise it. Do not throw the ball onto the pitch.
Leaving the Stadium
At the end of the game, please remain in your places. We will be emptying the ground in sequences. Please listen to the PA announcements and your nearest steward to ensure your departure is safe. On Tuesday, the Big Bank will be released first, followed by the seated stands.
Social Distancing
We have worked tirelessly to ensure the stadium is fan-ready for the upcoming games but we can’t make it a success without your compliance. Please remember to always maintain a two-metre social distance from anyone not in your household or support bubble.
Smoking
For those supporters who smoke, we want to remind you that St James Park remains a non-smoking venue and due to current restrictions we are unable to offer a smoking area once inside the ground.
These guidelines have been put in place for your safety and security having worked with the EFL and local authorities. Please ensure you follow them closely to enable fans to continue to return to SJP.
While we appreciate it is a very difficult time and your match day experience will be vastly different, please follow all the rules for everybody’s sake.
It will be absolutely amazing to have you return and we absolutely can’t wait for you to come home.