Last updated at 12:15, Thursday, 16 August 2012

Workington Reds have been forced to shut their main stand after council chiefs deemed it was a “serious risk to spectators”.

Alec Graham

On the eve of the new season, Borough Park officials have been rocked by the news that leaves the stadium below the required standard to compete at Blue Square Bet North level.

The corroded Popular Side stand, which is the main seating area inside the stadium, will be closed for Saturday’s first game of the season against Stalybridge Celtic (3pm).

But football bosses at the Conference will not call off the match with Stalybridge Celtic, despite the stadium failing to have 250 covered seats, and an overall capacity of 3,000.

Alec Graham, the club’s general manager, said: “We are working to rectify this issue as soon as possible.

“There is a varying difference in opinion from the structural engineer we employed in June, and the council’s.

“We knew the stand needed attention but did not think it would be closed.

“We never expected this. It’s disappointing because we have tried to do the right thing.”

Dominic Harrison, Cumbria County Council’s safer and stronger communities corporate director, said: “Following an inspection of the Popular Side stand, it was decided the stand was a serious risk to spectators due to it’s corroded structure and perforated sheeting.

“A notice has been served by the sports grounds licensing officer, which stops public access to the stand during specified activities or any other event that would require the issuing of a special safety certificate.

“It’s been agreed that either remedial work must to be taken to make the framework and sheeting safe, or that the roof is removed completely.

“The notice will remain until this work is completed and accepted by the safety advisory group.”

A spokesman for the Football Conference said they had not been notified by Workington but would look into it.

He said: “At this late stage, we would not be looking to call off the match between Workington and Stalybridge but this is an issue we need to speak to the club about.”

First published at 11:27, Thursday, 16 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk