Town and the EFL are urging fans to stay off the pitch at the end of Saturday’s final home League One game of the season against Exeter City.

The Blues could confirm promotion to the Championship after four years away by beating the Grecians in front of a sell-out home crowd, but the club and EFL are stressing the importance that any celebrations are kept to the stands. Any supporter who enters the pitch could face a ban or police action.

“Everyone surrounding the club knows how much it would mean to supporters should the team get promoted,” Neil McCluskey, Town’s matchday safety officer, told the club site.

“It is of paramount importance that everyone inside Portman Road can enjoy any potential celebrations safely, which will only be possible if supporters remain in the stands.

“Recently, Burnley and Sheffield United have gained promotion to the Premier League, with no pitch invasions or encroachments allowing their respective supporters to share in that moment with their players and coaching staff.

“Similarly, I hope our potentially significant day will not be marred by safety issues or negative stories.

“This will allow our players to take part in the planned lap of appreciation, and also ensure any potential celebrations can take place uninterrupted.”

Photo: Matchday Images

BurleysGloryDays added 18:15 - Apr 27 Fun police! Agree the players shouldn't feel threatened or overwhelmed. But if people can be respectful of anll players and staff and good to each other - then these are the things history, clubs and sport are about. But anyway, let's win first. We're giving exeter immense amounts of motivation to spoil the party by being a little too presumptuous at the moment. Let's welcome the bus to the stadium in encouragement and then let the players see if they can conjure a magical day! Two games, two points - it might not be over on Saturday.

5

warfarinman69 added 18:36 - Apr 27 Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here? I've been supporting Town since 1978. I am sure we will get promoted this year, but there is no guarantee that it will be on Saturday. McKenna, the staff and the players deserve more than having to worry about a pitch invasion. One game at a time, everyone!!
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Tractorboy1985 added 18:38 - Apr 27 Sadly mindless idiots last season at other grounds around the country have ruined the future pitch invasions which were always part of football growing up and were always held in good stead! Unfortunately thee authorities can't take any risks these days and have inflicted these rules! I respect it but feel hard done by after many years of hurt and just wanting to do what was normal when the times were normal.. sadly it's not normal anymore! All the best lads.. deliver us promotion and let's have a safe but raucous party! COYB

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Bert added 18:43 - Apr 27 Our only interest should be a win. Who on earth in their right mind would want to be in a sea of legs and arms running around like a crazed lemming. If 5,000 supporters at Barnsley can celebrate wildly but safely then keep in the stands so everybody can enjoy the moment. A win is all that matters to end a decade of false dawns and little hope. Prayers to be answered please.

4

Bluesky added 18:43 - Apr 27 It will be a whole lot more rewarding for fans to see laps of honour from players, manager and executive staff and have the chance to cheer them directly than to be embroiled in a futile random scrum to run after players who will be fleeing for cover. But -- after all these years I doubt the self discipline will be that evident which will be a shame in the end. Might the EFL deduct points do you suppose?

1

jong75 added 18:55 - Apr 27 Just stay off the pitch, its that simple. Let the players and management have time to get themselves together and come out so the fans can show their appreciation for the 1st decent season in years. The club should announce anyone found on the pitch will be banned, for the whole of next season.
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tractorboybig added 18:55 - Apr 27 thats the advice.....now lets see how many one brained morons we have
2

Clemcc added 19:05 - Apr 27 I am scared for the players safety (for both teams). Remember one player or was it manager got attacked a few years back. What happens (very unlikely) Exeter wins - stupid fans taking it out on their players! Or injurying ours and they are on the treatment table for months!!!! Dropping Chaplin from victory shoulder height!!!
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muhrensleftfoot added 19:05 - Apr 27 I'd really like to celebrate promotion on Saturday. We're not there yet, we've the small matter of beating a decent team from Exeter. Let us all see a lap of honour so please don't invade the pitch. Just expect the idiots like the ones who wouldn't return the ball the last home game may spoil it for the majority.
3

AlanG296 added 19:09 - Apr 27 28000 town fans in the ground and only a small minority of self obsessed idiots will want to get invade the pitch and we all know where the majority will come from. Pointless the club appealing to them not to when they've allowed them to ignore ground regulations for years.
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BlueWax added 19:20 - Apr 27 On a plus point, anyone who wants a ST might get a good chance!! I hope fans do the right thing.
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SuffolkPunch70 added 19:40 - Apr 27 Why am I not surprised that the same bile filled voices all season are now advocating a pitch invasion ?! Just because we haven't fallen apart as you predicted, you want to sabotage our potential promotion by getting points deducted !! And for those that are deluded enough to say they can't ban 1000 fans - why not ?? The demand for tickets is such that they could sell your seat 3 times over at the moment, so don't think for one second you are indispensable! I have been a North stander all my life, since the days when we stood in cages to keep the morons where they were supposed to be - you have no idea how lucky you are to be a supporter in these times. Grow up and stop trying to send us back to the dark ages.

6

george17 added 19:41 - Apr 27 This is about the safety of our people, our fans and our players. What is more important. It is vital to avoid injury to stay off the pitch, that could not be clearer. Added to that is that all can then enjoy the lap of honour (hopefully) if we win. How could running onto the pitch possibly outright that.
1

pazzy added 19:46 - Apr 27 it would be great to sing scream and clap from the stand be fair with the players and the club they have done us proud this season let them celebrate on the pitch not have to run for the tunnel for safety thank to every one involved with the club a great season
2

dirtydingusmagee added 19:46 - Apr 27 surely people can express their joy AND respect the clubs wishes ! Stay on the terraces , let the team and staff enjoy the moment too, with lap of honour. Come on everyone show the club respect .
5

Saxonblue74 added 19:49 - Apr 27 So, 28,000 Town fans. Let's say 1% are irresponsible (being polite!) and a good few pints in. That 1% would guaranteed be among the pitch invaders, happy to be swarming over and maybe even carrying around our players who have put in a huge shift for us all to enjoy this season. Perhaps a quick poll among those players to gauge opinion? My guess would be that they wouldn't fancy it......all of this whilst everyone is assuming Saturday is the day we secure promotion?!

1

SuffolkPunch70 added 19:53 - Apr 27 Oh, one more thing for the less observant - Wrexham are Non League, so do fall under the remit of EFL rules yet. Would you prefer us to play at that level ?? Just so you can run onto the pitch ?!?!?! Here's a thought, go join a Sunday morning team, get a bit of exercise AND you can run all over a football pitch to your hearts content every week !!!
1

blues1 added 19:55 - Apr 27 Some keep saying blue action can play a part in stopping fans going on the pitch. Really? They'll likely be the 1st ones on there. After all , they like going against the rules. Still taking smoke bombs into grounds. So don't expect anything from them to keep fans in the stands.
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blues1 added 20:04 - Apr 27 Nomore4. When fans went on the pitch the last time, it wasnt illegal. Fans in those days didnt attack opposition players on the pitch. Unfortunately that has happened on a few occasions in the last few years, thus the new rules around entering the field of play. Im of saying any of our fans would do that, but is it worth the risk? Only takes one idiot to do something stupid. And I'd love to go on the pitch as much as anyone but won't bcse im being told not to. Its also unfair to the majority of fans who dontcwant fo go on there as they'll be deprived of the chance to celebrate with the players as thry go round the ground. But doubt the minority that want to go on will give a damn about the rest. But of course, all this will be academic if we aren't promoted on Saturday.

1

BlueWax added 20:05 - Apr 27 How good would it be that the cameras could show that our brilliant fans are different from your average! Let's break the mould and get noticed by not doing the obvious!
-1

DJR added 20:05 - Apr 27 The pitch includes the area around it. This is section 4 of the Football (Offences) Act 1991. "It is an offence for a person at a designated football match to go onto the playing area, or any area adjacent to the playing area to which spectators are not generally admitted, without lawful authority or lawful excuse (which shall be for him to prove)." There is no lawful authority or excuse (which would cover, say, a fire), and this legislation was brought in for a reason. And whilst there may be safety in numbers, those who lead the way could well be arrested and banned. And who is to say that the same might not happen to others? To my mind the celebrations of the players on the pitch at Barnsley were magical, and I would rather the same on Saturday.

2

Wooly74 added 20:08 - Apr 27 Can't believe some of the comments I'm reading here, lefty moaning about having their right to withdraw and strike 🤦‍♂️ that's what's wrong with this country and thankfully the Armed services don't have that policy or right and are there to bail our sorry arses out of it. Bluearmy81, stick to your sorry soap box and keep lefty politics out of our beloved club please. As for the pitch invasion, sadly likely to happen as it's been the case for years, but also appreciate that the club are doing their best to prevent or reduce it.

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churchmans81 added 20:13 - Apr 27 But first we have to win the match. Focus!! 💙🤍
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itsonlyme added 20:14 - Apr 27 I can reach the pitch from the Sir Bobby Robson upper stand with a parachute! Don't think I'll bother though!
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HatStand added 20:18 - Apr 27 Ed's going to do a couple of songs, if people stay off the pitch. Def info.
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