Following a request on Friday, club officials met with the licensing authority today to submit proposals for the safe operation of the South Enclosure for the forthcoming Celtic match.
When asked for a meeting last week it was clear to the Club that a prohibition order for the South Enclosure was to be proposed. The club has since then looked at a variety of temporary solutions to ensure the safe operation of this area for the Celtic match. These proposals were presented to the licensing authority today and agreement has been reached which will allow the South Enclosure to open, albeit on a restricted basis.
This compromise agreement means that the club will have to suspend ticket sales for this area of the stadium and entry will be restricted to season ticket holders only. Season ticket holders must bring their season book with them to gain entry to the stand. This will be enforced without exception.
The east most section of the stand (Rows 1-15) will also be closed and barriers installed to prevent access to these seats and the area beyond.
This solution comes at a considerable financial cost to the club and a more permanent solution will be installed in the summer at even greater cost.
We would ask all supporters who have a season ticket for a seat in 1 – 15 (all rows) to find a seat elsewhere within the Stand on this occasion or if preferred, contact the ticket office who will be happy to accommodate you elsewhere in the Stadium. The Club would also ask any supporters who have purchased a ticket for the South Enclosure for the Celtic match to contact the ticket office as soon as possible in order that a ticket for an alternative stand can be issued as a replacement.
Supporter safety is and always will be the Club’s number one priority. We would ask all fans coming to Dens Park to consider their actions and the consequences that these may bring for themselves and others.
Supporter behaviour as seen on Wednesday night could result in further sanctions against the Club by the Football Authorities but more importantly could result in serious injury or worse to fellow supporters and staff.
The operation of the South Enclosure for the Celtic match will thereafter be subject to full scrutiny and review and decisions regarding its future operation will be made and this will undoubtedly require major financial investment by the Club to achieve a safer environment for everyone.
