New Pitch Barrier Rules

Hereford supporters may have noticed some changes around the perimeter of the Edgar Street pitch recently.

One of those changes is the installation of lengths of barriers alongside much of the main stand.

The work has been done because of new pitch barrier rules introduced by the FA. 

At another club, Altrincham, the pitch has been narrowed by 75cms. The reason being to minimize the risk of injury from players colliding with perimeter fences.

The changes brought in by the FA came about after a Chichester player, Billy Vigar, died from a brain injury after colliding with a perimeter wall. 

In a statement, the FA said: “We have undertaken a review of pitch perimeter walls across the National League System and Women’s National League to identify what improvements can be made to our Stadium Accreditation Criteria that will help clubs mitigate potential safety risks at their grounds and stadiums.

“As a result of this ongoing phased review, which has been conducted by independent Health and Safety experts, we have updated our Stadium Accreditation Criteria for the 2026/27 season.

“This includes introducing revised criteria relating to pitch perimeter barriers, which no longer permits solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers around pitches across the National League System for men [Steps 1-6], and the Women’s National League [Tiers 3-4].

“Any existing solid brick, breeze block or concrete barriers must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, or covered with suitable protection if they cannot be removed for structural reasons.

“We have informed the clubs at this level that will be required to take action as a result of these changes.”

Funding for perimeter work is available.

“Matches may continue to be played at affected grounds during this period; however, clubs should assess the safety of their pitch perimeter barriers on an ongoing basis, and where alterations to these structures have been recommended during this review, they should develop a plan to complete any such alterations within a reasonable time frame.
 
“To support this important work, The FA and the Premier League will provide funding to facilitate these changes, which will be administered by the Premier League Stadium Fund.

“The initial phase of the programme is already underway, and we will continue to provide full support to the clubs involved in this process."