We enjoyed another historic and memorable night at The Memorial Ground on Wednesday as the team saw off a valiant Berkhamsted side to book their place in the Southern League Premier South Play-Off Final on Monday, May 4th.
It feels fitting that we will be once again welcoming Gloucester City to Farnham on Bank Holiday Monday after they overcame Poole Town in extra-time. The two best sides in the Play-Offs squaring off for a place in the National League South is what the league deserved.
Demand for tickets was wild. To sell-out the 2,300 capacity allocation for the Play-Off Final inside 13 hours of the final whistle blowing in the Semi-Final was a staggering feat, and we’d like to again credit both our fans and the travelling Gloucester faithful for their continued support on what should be a historic day.
Ahead of Monday, we’d like to communicate with all supporters making the trip regarding arrangements for the day to help make it as seamless as possible. We’re not naive enough to believe that everything will run smoothly – it won’t. That said, we’d like to think all fans attending will work with us and abide by the following guidance to help alleviate any stresses or pressures our ground, our staff and volunteers will be tackling on the day.
GATES OPEN – 12:30PM
Our premises will be open for business from 12:30PM for fans to arrive. This includes the Clubhouse, all bars and catering units up and running, giving everyone the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the day as we build towards kick-off.
To enter the ground, you MUST have a valid ticket for the fixture. Anyone without a ticket will be turned away. Please do not travel unless you have purchased a ticket.
ENTERING THE GROUND
All travelling Gloucester City fans are required to enter the ground via Gate 3, which can be accessed at the bottom of Mead Lane, via Crosby Way. Below is an aerial map of The Memorial Ground to illustrate how to enter the ground. Any away fans attempting to make their way into the ground by entering from the top of Mead Lane will be turned away and directed to go round to the Gate 3 entrance.
Home fans will be entering the ground as usual via Mead Lane, entering through Gates 1 and 2.
We want to stress as well to all fans that there is no fan entrance via the Memorial Hall gate into the ground. This is reserved for players and officials only. If you are a fan, please enter via your assigned gates.
SEGREGATION
After liaising with the Surrey Police, Gloucestershire Police and officials at Gloucester City, Monday’s Play-Off final will be segregated. This decision hasn’t been made because we believe there will be or expect trouble on the day, but on the recommendation of the Police to ensure the smoothest and safest environment for all fans. There will be presence from both Surrey and Gloucestershire Police on the day, in addition to a significantly enhanced stewarding presence, to ensure the segregation is enforced safely.
A map of The Memorial Ground can be found below to highlight the segregated area for away fans, which is marked in the yellow and white shading.
The segregated area for away fans will be in effect from left-side of the tunnel in the Lottie Stand down all the way to the end of the pitch. The segregated area will also include the Catering Unit located on the half-way line, and the toilet block behind the Lottie Stand – both of these are within the confines of the segregated zone and are therefore in use for away fans only on the day.
AWAY FAN ZONE
After entering the ground through Gate 3, Gloucester City fans will enter the Away Fan Zone which will feature it’s own private bar stocking draught alochol and soft drinks, as well as an additional catering unit selling freshly made pies and pastries.
The Away Fan Zone will also have exclusive access to the Catering Unit located on the half-way line selling chips and chicken tenders, and the toilet block behind the Lottie Stand.
Per the segregation, away fans will not be permitted to leave the confides of the yellow shaded segregated area above, unless leaving the premises.
SEATING
While we do have many covered seats at The Memorial Ground, we do not offer reserved seating for fans. All seats in all stands are available on a first come, first serve basis. As it’s located on the Clock End, home fans have exclusive access to the seated LFM stand behind the goal.
The majority of seats in the Lottie Stand will be assigned to home fans. Again, these are available on a first come, first serve basis so please be aware of that.
Away fans will also have the seats in the Lottie Stand located to the southern side of the entrance tunnel as this sits with the away segregated zone. This amounts to 40 seats for away fans available on a first come, first serve basis. There’s an additional 10 seats in this area reserved for club officials. Do not sit in these as you will be asked to vacate by the stewards. Below is a photo of the make-up of the Lottie Stand.
All other stands and terraces in the segregated away zone are standing only.
If you are a disabled supporter or require special assistance, please reach out to secretary@ftfconline.com and we will do our best to make appropriate arrangements.
HOME FAN AMENITIES
Due to the segregation, there are changes to what home fans will have access to on the day. As listed above, the toilet block behind the Lottie Stand and the Catering Unit on the half-way line are within the confides of the segregated area and will be exclusively accessed by the away fans.
In return, we can confirm the following additions to our matchday offering for our home supporters on Monday afternoon.
On the Memorial Hall side of the ground to the west, the gates into the car park will remain open during the game where there will be additional portaloos and pop-up draught alcohol bars in operation to help service fans on that side of the ground better. Additionally, our friends at Dough Shack will have a mobile pizza oven on site serving personal pizzas.
The Clubhouse and garden will be of exclusive access to home supporters on the day. The Clubhouse bar will be open and running from 12:30PM, and the Catering Unit in the Garden will also be running from the same time, stocked with freshly made pies and sausage rolls that you’re all used to enjoying.
In the car park between the Clubhouse and the ground, we will have a extra food and drink offerings available. Our partners at Hands of Rowledge will be selling jumbo hot dogs. There will also be an additional pop-up, draught alcohol bar in the vicinity as well.
Lastly, our burger van located to the right of Gates 1 and 2 as you enter the ground will be open for business as usual selling our range of burgers and loaded chips.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
We want to advise all fans that there is no on-site parking available for supporters.
If driving, we recommend parking in the Upper Hart car park nearby (GU9 7HX), or the Waitrose car park (Long Garden Way, Farnham GU9 7HA), both approximately a five minute walk from The Memorial Ground.
If coming by train, Farnham Train Station is approximately a 15 minute walk away.
PYRO AND FLARES
It goes without saying that flares and pyrotechnics of any kind are not permitted into the ground and will be confiscated. Anyone seen to be using these during the day will be sought out by the stewards and the police, escorted off site and dealt with accordingly. Please do not ruin your day by making a foolish decision.
A FINAL WORD TO SUPPORTERS
While we are hyper aware that this is an exciting day for all involved, please treat the occasion, the staff and those around you with the utmost respect. Be considerate, be safe. Don’t do anything that would jeopardise yours or anyone else’s ability to watch the game safely. The last thing we want to do is have to remove you from the premises, but we will act accordingly if left with no option.
This is a huge day in the history of both Farnham Town and Gloucester City. Your club will need your undivided support on Monday. Let’s make it an occasion to be proud of.