AN ORGANISATIONAL TRIUMPH 577344

Glenavon’s 2-0 victory against Portadown on Boxing Day was not only a football success. It was also an organisational triumph. x1n10

The sure touch of the club’s directors and volunteers was every bit as impressive as the form shown by Barney McKeown and his team-mates.

It was one of the biggest matches which Mourneview Park has hosted so far this decade, and it went off without a hitch.

The preparations began at the start of December when Glenavon submitted its safety plan for approval to Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council.

“We are required to lodge a written plan with the Environmental Health Department at least a week before every home match,” explained Glenavon’s Qualified Person, George McNally.

The list of measures which Glenavon set out covered every aspect of crowd control from ticketing to stadium access and egress, stewarding and general safety.

“Three weeks ago, two representatives of the Council, some Portadown F.C. directors, three PSNI officers, Andrew Good, our Chief Security Officer, Raymond Matthews, Brian Odgers and I met in the boardroom to discuss the plan,” added George. “We have a very good relationship with the PSNI, the Council and our friends at Shamrock Park.”

Details of the arrangements were subsequently published.

Mourneview Park’s capacity, as set by the Council, is currently 3,280. The game was graded a B* fixture meaning that, subject to the provision of 45 stewards, Glenavon was permitted to sell up to 75% of its capacity, i.e. 2,460 tickets. “We are liaising with the Council about ways in which we can increase the numbers attending big games,” said George. “On Thursday, even to reach 75% capacity, we had to bring in outside stewards at a cost of around £120 each.”

The 45 stewards who were on duty comprised 19 Glenavon stewards, 14 Event Security personnel, some stewards kindly provided by Brownlow House and a small number of Portadown stewards. There were also 10-12 PSNI officers.

George McNally, who spent much of the afternoon consulting with the PSNI, arrived at Mourneview Park at 8.30 am on the morning of the game. “I always make a point of walking through the stands and around the stadium just to make sure there is nothing lying about which might present a danger or could be used as a projectile,” he said. “Bringing 2,500 people onto our premises is a big responsibility. I always feel relieved when the last visiting er leaves and there have been no incidents. Thankfully, that was the case on Thursday. In fact, the senior PSNI officer on duty commended us for the way we implemented the measures set out in our safety plan.”

Regrettably, a handful of ers of both clubs set off flares as the teams took the field. “Pyrotechnics are illegal,” added George. “Earlier in the season Glenavon was fined £250 when a flare was lit in the away section at Shamrock Park.” Why do so-called fans break the Law in the knowledge that it may cost the clubs they claim to a significant sum of money?

George explained that on every big matchday efforts are made to prevent ers bringing flares into the stadium. “Unfortunately, they are extremely difficult to detect. Stewards carried out body searches at both the home and away turnstiles, but they still got through,” he added. “The police are concerned, not just because the Law is flouted, but because pyrotechnics are dangerous. The PSNI is presently exploring ways in which fans can be educated about the risks involved.”

On Thursday extra turnstile attendants were needed and additional equipment was brought in. “Willie Clarke, Stephen Kelly, Barry Craig and Eithne Ferran, who help us regularly, were ed by Matthew Harrison and Jason King,” Executive Director Raymond Matthews explained. “Portadown F.C. was kind enough to loan us their scanners. Most of our attendants were on duty from 12-45 p.m. It was a case of all hands to the pump.”

Eddie Drury, who was in position at 11.30 am, and Jeff Magee manned the main gate, and David Martin took charge of the car park. “Accommodating vehicles on a big match day can sometimes be an issue but most people arrived by or soon after 2 pm which meant that things ran smoothly,” added Raymond. “David did a fine job, as he always does, directing people to the correct spaces.”

The club’s main office was open from 11 am. Matchday coordinators Carl and Suzanne Foster, helped by son Luke and Karen Emerson, did a sterling job. “The four hours before the game were hectic,” Karen reported. “We were still receiving inquiries about tickets even though the match had been sold out for over a week.”

The team had already booked the St. John’s Ambulance and two paramedics (paid for by Glenavon), devised a seating plan for the director’s box and organised mascots and ball boys. On Thursday, before kick-off, Carl, Suzanne, Luke and Karen issued boardroom and car park tickets, made arrangements for the 50/50 and Premier Club draws, and completed a myriad of other tasks.

Gary Heasley and Devon Kelly prepared the mascots, resplendent in Glenavon kits and blue Santa hats, while John Elliott marshalled the ball boys.

Santa Claus made a special appearance and distributed treats.

Philip Harrison greeted the matchday sponsors and arranged publicity photographs.

Patricia Follis, Sadie Murray, and Maureen Swift provided and then served the sumptuous fayre to boardroom guests. (Angela Cherry and Margaret McKeown, who usually help, were not available.)

The Bedeck Suite had its busiest afternoon and evening of 2024. Sarah-Anne Wilkie, Nikki Woods and Joanne Mulligan were on duty from 1 pm until after 9 pm. Vocalist Stephen Heasley kept patrons entertained with a full repertoire of numbers.

The Club Shop, extremely busy before Christmas, was open as usual with Johnny Bunting behind the counter. Johnny’s wife, Sally, manned “BrewZone,” selling cups of tea and coffee and cakes and traybakes.

Dave Watt, Brian Odgers, Jim Cordner, Josh Bell, Billy Fyffe and Alan Weir operated the stadium scoreboard, manned the p.a., tweeted score updates, conducted post-match interviews, took photographs and video, and performed other media-related tasks.

In addition, Glenavon’s four Mourneview Park based ers’ clubs hosted and guests. The Spirit of 2014 Club installed temporary fencing, hired two gazebos, and created a raucous pre-match atmosphere.

Some of the victorious Glenavon team remained in the Bedeck Suite until long into the evening and, accompanied by chairman Glenn Emerson, visited the ers’ clubrooms.

Who said that running a football club and staging a big match is straightforward? A huge thanks to the Glenavon players who produced their best form on the pitch and all the volunteers whose contribution off it helped to make Boxing Day 2024 a truly memorable occasion.