Extra safety measures have been brought in for Bury FC home games starting from tonight, Tuesday, after recent anti-social behaviour incidents.
Alcohol will not be served at kiosks in Gigg Lane for the club's derby match against Ramsbottom United and 500 less seats will be sold in the South Stand.
The tighter rules come after two supporters were banned from Gigg Lane for two matches after discriminatory language and behaviour was reported at a home game against West Didsbury and Chorlton last September.
Then on Saturday, January 27, three people tried to enter the pitch towards the end of the Shakers' record-breaking 10-1 win over Skelmersdale United.
Club bosses acknowledge that most supporters are well behaved but stewards can still find it hard to identify troublemakers in the crowd.
Read more: Fans banned from Gigg Lane after 'discriminatory' behaviour
Therefore, the first three rows of the South Stand have been cordoned off and will not be available for use. This is to prevent people from rushing towards the side of the pitch when a goal is scored.
Supporters will be required to remain in the stand unless leaving the ground or moving to and from a kiosk or toilet.
The South Stand will be open via the Cemetery End tonight against Ramsbottom and on Saturday against Burscough.
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Ticket sales for the stand will be monitored and a decision will be made to decide if it needs to be made all ticket on a game-by-game basis.
The Cemetery End will remain pay-on-the-gate and away supporters will be encouraged to this stand.
The club looked at ways of allowing alcohol sales with restrictions at kiosks, but a decision has been made to stop serving alcohol at them altogether.
Alternatively, fans can have a drink in Starkies bar before and after the game, as long as drinks are not taken into the stands.
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A spokesperson for Bury FC said: “We have excluded a small number of supporters from matches this season already, with bans ranging from months to an indefinite amount of time.
“We will not make statements about specific individuals where this might prejudice criminal proceedings, but please do not take this as a lack of action.”
Meanwhile, there are doubts the match tonight will go ahead due to the rainy weather with a pitch inspection set to take place at 5pm.
A club spokesman added: "To give the game the best chance, we will push any inspection as late as possible this evening and will communicate the relevant timings when known."
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