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Town Issue Guidelines For Fans' Return
Monday, 30th Nov 2020 21:13

Town have issued details of how matchdays will look to the 2,000 season ticket holders returning to Portman Road for the Portsmouth game a week on Saturday.

The Blues have approaching 9,000 season ticket holders and so will be using a ballot to allocate ticket while numbers are limited by Government guidance.

Details of the ballot’s operation will be released in the next few days.

Getting to the Game

Supporters are advised to refrain from using public transport as much as possible and should not travel in a car with anyone outside their social bubble.

Time of Arrival

There will be a staggered arrival time and while the stadium will open up at 1.30pm as usual, that’s near enough where any resemblance to a ‘normal’ matchday ends.

If you are successful in the ballot, you will be allocated a ticket which will include an arrival time in 15-minute slots from 2pm until 2.45pm. You are asked to adhere to your time on the ticket please. No one will be turned away if they are late on arrival, it just helps the process and lines up with safety guidelines.

You also have the option of entering the stadium between 1.30pm and 2pm but please be advised that you will need to go straight to your seat. So if you arrive at 1.30pm, you will be seated for 90 minutes before kick-off.

The kiosks in the concourses will all be closed, as will the FanZone. Every supporter will be asked to go straight to their seat on arrival regardless of time of entry. It’s highly unlikely that you will sitting in your season ticket seat.

Turnstile Test

Your temperature will be taken before you can enter the stadium. If your temperature is above the threshold of 37.6 degrees then you will asked to return home. You will also need to complete a health questionnaire before entry and you will need to bring photo ID with you, something like your driving licence.

The ID must match the name on the ticket. Fans without ID that corresponds to the name on their ticket will need to go to the Ticket Office(s) for re-grading and to match a new ID to the tickets.

The club must account for every supporter inside the stadium and their exact seat details due to possible NHS Test and Trace requirements.

Fans sitting in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand should use the Ticket Enquiries Office under the Cobbold Stand if the above applies. Fans in the East of England Co-op Stand should use the Constantine Road Ticket Office.

No photo ID will be required for accompanied children. You will also be searched by stewards so please avoid bringing bags if possible. The stewards will change gloves every time they carry out a search.

QR codes will be scanned at turnstiles for Test and Trace. Please also be aware that the entry points to the stadium maybe different from normal so allow plenty of time to meet your allocated arrival.


Stands in Operation

Only the middle and upper tiers of the Co-op Stand, the lower and upper of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and a small section of the Cobbold Stand will be in use.

The safety authorities have recently asked for building repair work to be done in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand. This will be completed before a substantial increase in attendances will happen but with the challenge of extensive cleaning to take place before the game against Burton three days later and for easier access reasons, the club will be utilising just the areas mentioned for now.

Getting to Your Seat

The club is looking to fill up the stands from the back to the front to limit face to face contact. Allocated times of arrival will illustrate that.

One-way systems will be in operation and you’ll need to follow the signage and directions from stewards to your seat.

You are asked to wear a face covering from arrival at the stadium until you reach your seat and then again when you leave your seat to exit the stadium.

Supporters are asked to remain in their seats while at the stadium as much as possible and do not need to wear a face covering at that time.

Food and Drink

We’re sorry but there are no food and drink outlets available and the FanZone will not be open. This is in accordance with safety guidelines.

Supporters are allowed to bring their own food and drink into the stadium but please ensure it’s in a clear plastic bag. Up to 500ml plastic bottles will only be allowed. No glass or cans and no alcohol can be brought into the stadium.

While the Game is On

Singing and shouting is part of the matchday experience but please be respectful and mindful to those around you and social distancing must be adhered to, unless you are with fellow Blues in your household or support bubble.

Also, however tempting, please don’t throw the ball back onto the pitch if it comes near you. It will be picked up by the groundstaff before being cleaned and returned pitchside - again a guideline we have to follow.

At the Final Whistle

You will be asked to remain in your seat at the end and take guidance from stewards as exiting will be managed in a row by row system. If you want to leave the stadium early you will need to do so by 85 minutes at the latest.

Social Distancing

It’s become part of our lives over the last nine months and remains a vital aspect of the return of fans to football. From your arrival to your departure, please keep your distance!
"
At a Glance

Aside from those in a social bubble supporters will be seated approximately one and a half to two metres apart.

There will be sanitiser dispensers provided. The stadium has signage advertising all the good hygiene guidelines.

Please avoid face to face contact when moving past other spectators.

No away fans will be at Portman Road.

The matchday programme will not be on sale on the day. Sorry! Guidelines again. It can be purchased via the club website’s mail order service.

We are not permitted to have mascots or Fly the Flag youngsters on matchday.

There will be no opportunities for autographs or selfies.

The Planet Blue store will be open with limited capacity and social distancing in place. Please queue on the Cobbold Stand side.

The Ticket Office in Constantine Road will be open for enquiries. Social distancing will be in place.

There will one way systems in operations at the toilet facilities at Portman Road.

From queuing at the turnstiles to exiting the ground, you need to wear a face covering at all times - apart from when you are in your seat.

You must bring your own face covering.

As stated, from when you enter the stadium you will be asked to go straight to your seat.

Covid Info

You should not be at a game if you display any Covid-19 symptoms or are required to self-isolate. You are also advised not to enter the stadium if you are considered clinically, an extremely vulnerable person.

You will be required to provide your personal details - and those of your support bubble - to the club for Test and Trace purposes. You will also need to read and agree with terms and conditions of sale, read and agree to general Covid guidance and read and agree to a code of conduct before confirming your tickets for matches.

If you test positive for Covid a few days after a match, you should contact the club immediately. An isolation room will be in operation if someone falls unwell or develops Covid symptoms during the game.

What’s Next

Everything you need to know about the ticket ballot system and how to apply will be published on the Club website within the next 48 hours.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



Vancouver_Blue added 21:23 - Nov 30
No cheering, but calling for Lamberts head is acceptable
3

Woolfenthen added 21:32 - Nov 30
sounds horrific, as will the performance on the pitch, could be the new I'm a fan get me out of here
7

NickITFC added 21:33 - Nov 30
Why would anyone want to go?
14

BlueandTruesince82 added 21:34 - Nov 30
Yes it's going to be a v different experience for the 3 blokes that turn up
2

midlandblue54 added 21:35 - Nov 30
Hopefully he will be well gone by then
4

dukey44 added 21:59 - Nov 30
But you not allowed to sing or make a noise so seriously what is the point? Especially with the tosh they playing at the moment...?
3

Europablue added 22:11 - Nov 30
It all sounds very dystopian. It's incredible that anyone thinks that these rules are reasonable or workable.
5

afcfee added 22:14 - Nov 30
Sounds dreadful plus I can't see need for track and trace if only 2000 in 30k stadium? Along with the need for ID it's all looking like a trial for when they try force this vaccine with "freedom passports". I'm sure some will willfully go along with it and be a guinea pig, I love Ipswich but can't see myself returning to Portman Road for some time.
4

BangaloreBlues added 23:41 - Nov 30
Sounds like hell.
If I was currently in town I'd give my season ticket to someone else.
Let's not go into the real scientific data that shows the complete opposite of what we're being told, proving this is all about reshaping society into a tracking-everything-you-do nightmare...
1

Bluespeed added 23:45 - Nov 30
Sounds like torture !! I will stay home & listen to Brenner Woolley thank you !
3

Edmundo added 00:01 - Dec 1
About what is expected for the present. Not normal. And definitely not "NEW normal".
2

Dissboyitfc added 06:16 - Dec 1
With all that hassle and the rubbish being served up on the pitch i cant imagine why anyone would want to go! I certainly don't want to go.

I watched the FA Cup 3rd round draw on tv last night and memories came flooding back of a time when we could look forward to such events, sadly there are no memories of any kind being created for younger supporters to have in years to come!

Sad times, Lambert out!
2

MunichBlue added 06:56 - Dec 1
Why all the negativity, surely this is a good thing!
People who want to see their team and show their support should be allowed to do so in the safest possible way in these times.
No it is not normal, and yes its a shame that there can't be "more like it used to be" but that's life!
It doesn't say you cant sing, just "be respectful and mindful to those around you and social distancing must be adhered to"
I too am also fed up with the situation at our club over the past few (Many many) seasons, but all these continuos barrage of negativity from "fans" against ANYTHING that ITFC does is beyond me, and is as demoralising if not more so to be a Town fan as some of the performances!
I for one would love to be there and show my support to the boys in blue on the pitch but alas I live a bit too far away.
So not all that ITFC tries to do for the betterment of the club/fans is the work of the devil!
Good luck tonight boys, lets try and get a good result.
For all of you that are lucky (yes i mean lucky) to get a ticket in a few games time, enjoy the experience no matter what!
1

dirtydingusmagee added 07:28 - Dec 1
poor sods.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 07:31 - Dec 1
as Dukey said, if they have keep quiet whats the point , 2000 people holding up cards with boo on it lol
2

BtreeBlueBlood added 09:24 - Dec 1
So I can turn up at 1.30 sit in the cold for 1hr and 30min freezing until a ball has been kicked in anger!
1

RobITFC added 09:28 - Dec 1
Dissbotitfc - agree I also watched the FA Cup draw with great sadness. I watched the highlights of the non league teams winning and what joy and fun they had. Very sad that ITFC no longer have any respect for any of the cups , just another nail in the coffin!!
0

Marinersnose added 09:36 - Dec 1
This doesn't sound very appealing at all. Why during a pandemic have the club decided to search every supporter. What grounds and what are they searching for ???
Ridiculous and unnecessary close contact.
3

carlisleaway added 09:43 - Dec 1
Sounds like we are talking about a new TV show, “ I'm an Ipswich fan get me out of here “
0

slade1 added 09:51 - Dec 1
Like a lot of others, I wont be returning until this pandemic has (hopefully) gone.
0

DebsyAngel added 10:05 - Dec 1
No thanks - where's the fun in that? Are you actually allowed to speak to anyone or go to the toilet? Be more like going to a prison than a match. And since I have to get a bus, it rules me out of attending. I will stay in the warm and watch the games on IFollow until it's safe.
0

Bert added 10:09 - Dec 1
These are the requirements that the club has to put in place not what they choose to do. You can shout and sing but to do so with respect to others. Understandable sarcasm aside, why criticise what the club has to do ? This is very simple, you either go into the ballot or don't.
1

ernie added 10:37 - Dec 1
lost track if I was reading about the procedure to attend a football match or to enter the government workplace in 1984 for a minute.
3

ArnieM added 11:21 - Dec 1
The biggest "statement" Town fans could register is to boycott the games at PR ...it's not worth the "experience" anyway .

#LamboOUT#HamoIN
3

CornardBlue added 11:35 - Dec 1
Makes no difference to me i will not return until Lambert is gone, sixty years i have been going to Portman Road. I will not be renewing season ticket next season.
If things were normal i think they would be lucky to get 2K to watch the rubbish we are playing under Lambert.
1


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