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Next Game: Rushall At Home In The League On Saturday 30th November At 3.00pm

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Turner worried about Police Costs

According to the club chairman, Graham Turner, Hereford United might have to increase ticket prices if they are forced to pay for policing costs on match days.

Turner was speaking at a session of the Home Affairs Committee which was discussing
the policing of football matches. As well as the Hereford United chairman, Dave Whelan, Chairman, and Brenda Spencer, Chief Executive, of Wigan Athletic Football Club were in attendance.

Currently Hereford United does not have Police in Edgar Street during games however West Mercia Police say the club should pay for policing in the local area.

"We've paired everything back to the bone in order to run a small club," said Turner during the debate.

"I'll give you the extreme example, we played Swindon Town and the gate was 4,006. and our police bill, without a policeman inside the ground, was 16 and a half thousand.

"If that is going to continue, then we are for certain matches we're going to have to put four or five pounds onto our admission charges, because our main stream of revenue is from supporters."

Before the meeting took place the Chairman of the Committee, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, said:

"The provision of police services at commercial events such as football matches is a controversial one; who should pay for this service it is matter of some contention. The session will allow us to contribute to this important debate.

"We look forward to hearing from representatives of the police, the Premiership and the Football League and to taking evidence from Dave Whelan of Wigan Athletic and Graham Turner of Hereford United in the light of their well known disputes with the police over this matter."

The meeting took place in room eight of the Palace of Westminster.