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Awful news, 21 year old Chichester striker died after apparently colliding with a pitchside concrete wall during a game

https://x.com/ChiCityFC/status/1971268585684336688?s=19

This has generated alot of discussion about the safety implications of having concrete walls so close to the pitch, something we fall foul of too. Many will remember Greg Blundell and what could have been a much more serious situation - time to make a change?

Tragic incident and yes those concrete perimeter walls at Holker Street are a big safety risk to players. Remember Blundell smacking into it.
I don’t know if there’s money (stadium grants) available to help with these things, or if we could knock them down and hire digital boards for both ends of the ground.

They should have been done away with year ago IMO. Its just sad that like many things it takes a tragedy to occur before those in authority sit up and think we have a problem.

Can easily see the FA will react now (rightfully so!) and ban them

We won’t have a choice after this tragic accident. They’ll have to go.

Ben Jackson had a nasty collision with the main stand last season, his impact being lessened by the advertising board being offset from the actual wall.

BBC News - Tributes pour in for ex-Arsenal youth striker
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjvgkxlx88o

Been an accident waiting to happen. Have always worried about our brick walls. Ironic that historically they have been probably the most robust structures in the entire ground.

Not easy or cheap to replace though. Especially if you have to maintain safety for both supporters and players in a tight little ground.

But nobody should die because of a game of football.

Our pitch run off must meet minimum requirements (1.83m / 6’) as set by the EFL ground regs, but I don't know if we can shorten our pitch by a metre each end, (our pitch is already short- Thinks its 100m/101m), just to allow for an extra step on the run off, or ideally get those walls replaced and maybe pinch back half a metre that way.

Jonty wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 2:28 pm Our pitch run off must meet minimum requirements (1.83m / 6’) as set by the EFL ground regs, but I don't know if we can shorten our pitch by a metre each end, (our pitch is already short- Thinks its 100m/101m), just to allow for an extra step on the run off, or ideally get those walls replaced and maybe pinch back half a metre that way.

I believe the length of the Barrow pitch is 10 metres longer than the minimum requirement.

Jonty wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 2:28 pm Our pitch run off must meet minimum requirements (1.83m / 6’) as set by the EFL ground regs, but I don't know if we can shorten our pitch by a metre each end, (our pitch is already short- Thinks its 100m/101m), just to allow for an extra step on the run off, or ideally get those walls replaced and maybe pinch back half a metre that way.

It's been discussed before but the cost is prohibitive. Leitchy has been banging on about this for years that not doing it was a false economy and it was dangerous but sadly it will indeed have taken someone getting killed at football for change. I hope, somewhat selfishly that we'll be able to get grants because those walls are bombproof.

Padding

saltcellar wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 3:23 pm

Jonty wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 2:28 pm Our pitch run off must meet minimum requirements (1.83m / 6’) as set by the EFL ground regs, but I don't know if we can shorten our pitch by a metre each end, (our pitch is already short- Thinks its 100m/101m), just to allow for an extra step on the run off, or ideally get those walls replaced and maybe pinch back half a metre that way.

I believe the length of the Barrow pitch is 10 metres longer than the minimum requirement.

I don't think you can change the pitch dimensions once the season starts, but in light of what has happened and the risk of serious injury the walls present, maybe there can be some discretionary agreement with the EFL / FA to take a metre off each end. I don’t know, The question would need to be asked. That at least would be cheaper and do-able without replacing the perimeter walls until a later time.

barrowaberdeen wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 3:36 pm

Jonty wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 2:28 pm Our pitch run off must meet minimum requirements (1.83m / 6’) as set by the EFL ground regs, but I don't know if we can shorten our pitch by a metre each end, (our pitch is already short- Thinks its 100m/101m), just to allow for an extra step on the run off, or ideally get those walls replaced and maybe pinch back half a metre that way.

It's been discussed before but the cost is prohibitive. Leitchy has been banging on about this for years that not doing it was a false economy and it was dangerous but sadly it will indeed have taken someone getting killed at football for change. I hope, somewhat selfishly that we'll be able to get grants because those walls are bombproof.

The Premier League is awash with money it would be good ( although i doubt it will happen) if they could assist the clubs financially like us who need to remove concrete walls to make pitch perimeters safe

barrowaberdeen wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 3:36 pm

Jonty wrote: ↑Fri Sep 26, 2025 2:28 pm Our pitch run off must meet minimum requirements (1.83m / 6’) as set by the EFL ground regs, but I don't know if we can shorten our pitch by a metre each end, (our pitch is already short- Thinks its 100m/101m), just to allow for an extra step on the run off, or ideally get those walls replaced and maybe pinch back half a metre that way.

It's been discussed before but the cost is prohibitive. Leitchy has been banging on about this for years that not doing it was a false economy and it was dangerous but sadly it will indeed have taken someone getting killed at football for change. I hope, somewhat selfishly that we'll be able to get grants because those walls are bombproof.

Forgive my ignorance I’m certainly no expert but I fail to see how this can be such a major expense. Knocking down a couple of walls albeit sturdy ones at that isn’t surely as pricey as building them? Some labourers and a few big hammers and hydraulic drill thingys…….job done!!??