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Stand checks after fans’ safety fears
John Donnellon
COUNCIL chiefs have carried out an inspection at Blackpool FC after fans complained about the safety of one of the stands at the Bloomfield Road stadium.
Sheffield Wednesday supporters contacted the town hall amid claims a spectator had been injured in the East Stand while watching last Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
Fans website Wednesdayite has asked people to contact it with their concerns and says it has received “numerous complaints from fans.”
A statement on the site added: “Such was the seriousness (and quantity) of some of these complaints that we have agreed to collate all complaints received from fans in attendance and take the matter up with Blackpool FC and any appropriate authorities on behalf of any fans at the game.
“We have already informed Blackpool FC of our plans, and also Blackpool Council who provide the safety certificate for Bloomfield Road – specifically to a serious structural failure which led to injury of a Wednesday fan.”
Blackpool Council today said it had no safety fears about the stadium.
John Donnellon (above) Blackpool Council’s Service Director for Built Environment, said: “The council has received a complaint from the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Society following an incident during Blackpool’s match with Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday.
“A floor panel on the temporary East Stand was damaged. Fortunately no one is reported to have been hurt.
“The stand is inspected before every match and meets all the appropriate safety standards. The council has inspected the stand since the incident and is working with the club to ensure that all health and safety requirements are fully met.”
Blackpool FC secretary Matt Williams said: “We work closely with Blackpool Council to make sure our stadium and facilities are more than adequate for supporters and to make sure all the safety criteria are met before and after every game.
“We have no concerns over any of our facilities.”
The East Stand opened in 2010 with a capacity of 5,120. Construction work is currently underway to add to it by filling in the South East corner of the stadium.
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
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Wind direction: West
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