Following consultation with the Metropolitan Police the Board of Crystal Palace FC (2010) have agreed to move visiting supporters to the opposite end of The Arthur Wait Stand and they will occupy Blocks R to T, which allows Blocks U and V to be either away, home or in most cases empty. The main reason for the decision is on the grounds of health and safety and cost.
As you know our most vocal and colourful home supporters are located in Blocks A and B of the Holmesdale Road Stand and the proximity to the visiting supporters has caused the Police ongoing concern. This has meant that the grading of games next season will be changed which will lead to an increase in policing and costs. In total the increase to Crystal Palace could be over £60,000 for the 2010/11 season alone.
In order to not incur the increase in costs it has been recommended that we re-configure as described. This will mean home fans moving to occupy Blocks W to Y in The Arthur Wait Stand. We fully understand that this will not be ideal but we sincerely hope you understand that this decision has not been made lightly and is in the best interests of CPFC and its supporters.
As a gesture of goodwill and as a season ticket holder that has already purchased for 2010/11 in The Arthur Wait Stand you will have the opportunity to remain in The Arthur Wait Stand and will have first choice of seats in Block W, X and Y . In addition should you wish to select another available seat in any other area of the stadium ( other than The Directors Box) you can do so for the 2010/11 season even if the area is more expensive than The Arthur Wait Stand and at no additional cost.
We would however prefer the existing supporters to remain together to create the noise and levels of support we have enjoyed in recent years but of course it is up to you.
In fact one of our new owners, Stephen Browett, has been a season ticket holder in the Arthur Wait Stand for over 25 years. He visited the stand last week with our Stadium and Safety Officer Kevin Corner and came to the conclusion that Arthur Wait supporters will actually enjoy a better atmosphere being situated closer to the Holmesdale Stand, without away fans in between. This will help to increase the vocal support for Palace as well as improving safety and satisfying this request from the Police. Instead of running out of the tunnel to the sight of away fans, our players will now be greeted by our own supporters.
We would ask any supporters to confirm your preferred seat by contacting the Box office. If you are moving with family or friends please could we ask that you all move at the same time so that we can allocate seats together. The most convenient way is to contact the Box Office via e-mail on boxoffice@cpfc.co.uk
It is our plan to start sending out season tickets for 2010/11 in the week commencing 19th July so could we ask that you select your seat by no later than Friday 16th July.
Many thanks once again for your co-operation on this issue and for your continued support of Crystal Palace FC.
