Town have responded to criticism of the decision to prohibit fans aged under five from the lower tiers of Portman Road’s stands for safety reasons from next season.

A number of supporters reacted angrily to the move, which was announced yesterday, with several threads started on the TWTD forum with some posters concerned that they would have to pay an additional £110 per adult season ticket for upper tier seats.

However, Town media manager Steve Pearce told TWTD: “We have written to everyone concerned [along with their season ticket renewal packs] asking them to speak to the Ticket Office on an individual basis and in most cases the club will honour the price that they would have paid in the lower tier for next season. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits.

“The club has had situations where babies have been brought into the lower tier of stands this season, leading to safety concerns.

“After consultation with safety bodies it was decided that under five should be the cut-off point. More people are hurt by footballs flying into the crowd than anything else on a match day and there have been incidents where children have been hurt this season.”

Those season ticket holders affected by the move are asked to call the Ticket Office helpline on 03330 05 0503.

There are currently 76 season tickets registered to fans aged under five (meaning those aged four and below) in the stadium as a whole, while a number of those aren’t used having been bought as ‘symbolic’ gifts with under-11 season tickets costing £10.

Some other clubs are understood to take a similar approach to Town regarding housing younger fans in upper tiers.

Photo: Action Images

bluehog added 20:57 - Mar 11 Lots of people saying who would take a child that young to a football match. Well I do. My daughter is 3 and is on her 3rd season ticket. She loves it.
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:00 - Mar 11 naa, your son is 7 ,and holding people up on the stairs ? can i have my wallet and hotdog back please ?
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:03 - Mar 11 what about dogs ?
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bluefeast added 22:46 - Mar 11 i took my fridge to a football match once ,on the basis it provided more entertainment. I gave it a seat and everything. The stewards were a little perplexed and asked me if it was a sociable fridge , i felt a little awkward telling them it wont integrate , and no i didnt buy it a ticket as its free standing .
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DurhamTownFan added 22:55 - Mar 11 Maybe if we played it to feet a bit more often, this wodnt be a problem! Loved the earlier comment about Tabb ;-)
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DiamondGezzer added 07:17 - Mar 12 I wonder if this could have anything to do with the club's public liability [ insurance wise ] ?
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Marshalls_Mullet added 10:43 - Mar 12 Sounds sensible to me.
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itfcsince1974 added 14:45 - Mar 12 I would just like to mention that I have taken my grandson to about 4 games this season. He is currently 3 and will be 4 in May. He is football mad and apart from getting a little scared the first time he saw us score he has thoroughly enjoyed it. He stays focused on the entire game and only gets bored at half time constantly asking when it will start again. I know this may not be typical but not all youngsters will sit kicking the chair in front. He will undoubtedly be a town fan for life and I have no doubt a season ticket holder of the future.

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