Chester FC have confirmed their derby game with Wrexham, due to take place on August 31, will be a ‘bubble match’.
Bubble matches are games where all away fans must travel on designated transport – usually club coaches – from specific pick-up points.
The club announced the restrictions for the fans in a statement published on their website on Thursday night, following discussions with Wrexham FC and North Wales Police.
It means any Chester fans wanting to attend the game must travel to the Deva Stadium first, to get on board one of the Chester FC official supporters coaches. The cost of the coach travel is £6, in addition to the ticket price.
The match is all ticket. All Chester fans must purchase a match/coach voucher at the Chester FC ticket office at the Deva Stadium, which will be exchanged for a match ticket upon arrival at the Racecourse ground.
Entrance to the match is via coach travel only. There are no pick-up arrangements.
The only supporters exempt are disabled fans with a carer, who must notify the club regarding alternative arrangements.
Coaches will leave the Deva Stadium at 11am for the match, which will kick off at 1pm. Chester have been allocated 1,200 tickets for the match.
After the match, Chester fans will have to get on board the coaches and return to the Deva Stadium.
In a statement, the club said: “We would like to make Chester fans aware that representatives from the board of directors and club made the strongest possible case to the police to avoid all fans having to travel from Chester to the game, given the inconvenience and extra costs that both the club and fans will face.
“The club put forward our suggestions for the match arrangements. Both clubs are aware that the safety of the supporters is of paramount importance, and were left with little option than to accept.”
In addition, both Chester and Wrexham fans purchasing tickets for their respective teams must bring proof of their names and addresses
The fixture between the two clubs will be the first non-league ‘bubble match’. In the past, bubble match arrangements have been used for clubs such as Cardiff City, Bristol City and Millwall.
It is the first clash between the now fan-owned clubs for nearly four years. When the two teams met at the Racecourse in September 2009, five arrests were made after fighting broke out.
Vouchers go on sale to season ticket holders from Monday, August 12 until August 23, while vouchers go on general sale after the Forest Green Rovers game on Monday, August 26.
