Rochdale Football Club would like to respond to queries from supporters regarding the attendance of Nik and Eva Speakman at Tuesday night’s game against Swindon Town.
Home and away clubs are both entitled to invite up to 10 x Directors and Club Representatives for behind closed doors games and Nik and Eva Speakman were invited as official Club Representatives, due to their offer of support to Rochdale AFC.
As reported on Monday, the Board of Directors are working to secure outside investment for Rochdale AFC and as a result have met with several serious investors over the past few months.
The Board have now reached a key stage with a number of highly interested parties, including a group of investors, who attended last night’s game along with the Speakmans.
There is a strict regime in place, under EFL protocols, including the number of people who can attend, for behind closed doors games and they were fastidiously adhered to for Tuesday’s match, as they have been throughout the season.
Everyone in attendance is admitted on a pre-approved guest list and are required to have their temperatures checked, to fill out a Covid health questionnaire and also wear a facemask or visor.
In addition to the above mentioned Directors and Club representatives, representatives from local and national media are allowed to attend behind closed doors games, as are photographers and scouts. Key club staff who are required to ensure the smooth running of the matchday operation are also permitted entry, including a small number of stewards who ensure Red zone and Amber zone protocols are adhered to, ground staff, medical staff, stadium safety/ cleaning staff and a small number of Community Trust staff who ball retrieve.
On a matchday, the Crown Oil Arena is split into three different zones - Red, Amber and Green zones. The Red zone is where the players dressing rooms are located/ the tunnel area/ dug outs. Only players and playing staff are permitted entry into the Red zone, as well as two club media representatives from each club, one member of the club’s stadium safety team and stewards. All other attendees must remain within the Amber zone. The press box and the Directors’ boxes are included in the Amber zone. The car park area of the Crown Oil Arena falls within the Green zone.
The majority of those in attendance travel separately to the ground, to minimise the risk of spreading Coronavirus, which is why the car park is still in full use on a matchday.