Chester FC fans have slammed the decision to make next week's FA Cup second round replay with Barnsley an all-ticket match.
Club officials released a statement on Tuesday evening confirming the game had been "deemed all-ticket" following a meeting of the Cheshire West and Chester Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which comprises representatives from council departments, Cheshire Constabulary and other agencies.
Cheshire West and Chester Council explained the capacity at the Swansway Chester Stadium has been temporarily reduced to 4,168.
With a strong possibility the crowd on the night could get close to that figure, the SAG required the club to make the game all-ticket.
A second statement from the club on Wednesday afternoon responded to supporters concerns and shed more light on the situation.
"The club are aware of the concern of fans regarding the Barnsley replay being made all-ticket," read the statement.
"This is a requirement of the Safety Advisory Group due to the stadium currently operating on a reduced capacity of 4,168 whilst essential on-going safety and maintenance works and procedures are completed following a recent inspection of the stadium by the council.
"The club were only notified of the reduction on Monday afternoon, with the Safety Advisory Group meeting taking place the next morning.
"We are working closely with the council to address any safety concerns and we currently have contractors on site undertaking remedial works to infrastructure which has suffered from a lack of investment and maintenance in earlier years.
"The council have said the capacity will be reviewed incrementally as the work progresses.
"Obviously, this has come as a blow to us at a crucial time and we are doing everything we can to minimise inconvenience to our fans by extending opening hours both over the weekend and on Monday evening, in addition to our normal selling times.
"Tickets will also be available on the Tuesday up to 1pm and we are also making arrangements to accommodate fans who live a long distance away. We will keep supporters updated regarding progress."
Council spokesman Ian Callister said: “The council’s regulatory services and the management of Chester Football Club are working closely together to resolve a number of outstanding safety issues.
“Public safety is paramount. Consequently, following consultation with the ground’s Safety Advisory Group it was decided to implement a temporary reduction of the capacity at the Swansway Stadium to 4,168.
“This figure will be reviewed incrementally as the work progresses.
"We are hoping that most of the issues will be resolved before the Middlesbrough game on January 4, should Chester hopefully progress in the competition.”
Supporters fear the decision means the game on Tuesday, December 16 (7.45pm) will attract a far lower attendance than it would have had fans been able to pay on the gate and many contacted The Chronicle to express their anger.
Ian Williams, of Mickle Trafford, said: "I can’t understand the logic behind it. Barnsley are hardly going to bring thousands down for the game. It is very late for ticketing arrangements and it’s covered live on TV. This will massively hit the attendance of home fans and lessen our chances of progressing through to the next round."
Ian Foster wrote via email: "Many, like me, have no car and have to walk a long way to get to a match (45 minutes). I do it for nearly every match with no complaint, but to have to walk twice to the Swansway Stadium just for a ticket thanks to a decision by a bunch of faceless bureaucrats, no doubt with Cheshire plod in the driving seat, has me fuming!"
Blues fan Dan Sharples added: "I’m a season ticket holder who works full-time in Stockport and currently lives in the Wigan/Warrington area, therefore logistically it would be both inconvenient and perhaps impossible for me to travel to the ground just to collect tickets.
"I understand the club has limited staffing and are trying to be as accessible as possible, however given the fact that I plan to travel to the Telford match via train and there is no other suitable window for me to get to the ground, I will have to concede on this and potentially not attend the game alongside my recently converted 12-year-old nephew, who was extremely excited at the prospect of watching Chester in the FA Cup."
Season-ticket holder Ian Saxby said: "This is a truly bizarre decision. The all-ticket arrangement will have a negative impact on the attendance and consequently serious financial implications to the football club. It will deprive supporters (particularly those who live outside the city) of the opportunity of cheering on the Blues on one of their biggest games in recent years."
Alan Vincent added: "I do a 150-mile round trip to get to each game, helping out with the hospitality when I get there. My mate who sits next to me comes from Southport for each game. Are we supposed to make an extra trip just to get a ticket?
"This decision totally ignores the needs of the customer (fans are customers!) and has been put in place as a lazy solution to what was never going to be a difficult problem in the first place. With the match live on TV there would not be a full house."
Bill Stott wrote: "Have the club gave any thoughts to 'exiles' like myself from Preston area who work full time, especially at this time of year? How do I say to my wife, 'sorry, love, have to go to Chester on Saturday or Sunday for a ticket', especially now its on Live on BT Sport?"
Rob Orford added: "I can not believe the decision It's a complete over-reaction by Cheshire Police for no good reason. With less than a week to sell tickets and no home match, it will ruin the attendance and the cup vibe generated this season."
The Blues earned next week's replay by drawing 0-0 with League One side Barnsley at Oakwell on Sunday. The game was subsequently picked for live TV coverage by BT Sport and the all-ticket decision was announced via a statement on Chester FC's official website on Tuesday night.
It prompted an angry response from supporters on social media.
