Andrew Cullen’s Barnsley Programme Notes – News

Thanks for being with us at Fratton Park this night for our rearranged Sky Guess League One fixture with Barnsley. A heat welcome to all those that have made the lengthy midweek journey from South Yorkshire and we hope you will have a secure journey residence.

Earlier than I mirror on Saturday’s sport at Bolton, I wish to kick off by congratulating Pompey Ladies on profitable the Nationwide League Southern Premier Division title on Sunday. The workforce weren’t in motion themselves, however Hashtag United’s defeat at Ipswich confirmed them as champions with two video games to go. It has been an unbelievable season, profitable 18 out of 20 matches, with only one defeat, scoring 73 targets and conceding solely seven. Jay Sadler, his employees, our volunteers and all of the gamers have been excellent and a pleasure to each watch and help.

The highest aspect are eligible for computerized promotion to the second tier this season and never topic to a play-off towards the northern champions, as had been the case in earlier campaigns. Nevertheless, we should now wait till subsequent week to be taught if our bid for promotion, submitted in February, has been accepted by The FA and NewCo.

Our match at Bolton on Saturday got here on the again of an necessary win right here towards Shrewsbury. The competition on the Toughsheet Stadium was each a compelling and tense top-of-the-table spectacle, with yet one more level secured from what continues to be an especially testing run-in. As soon as once more, our supporters have been super, travelling in terrific numbers and backing the workforce all through, representing the membership in true Pompey model.

We all know what we have to safe promotion, however there may be no room for complacency from anybody on the membership. Everybody has labored so laborious to get to this place, however there are stern exams forward – not solely tonight from a Barnsley workforce who want three factors to safe their play-off berth, but additionally on Saturday towards a Wigan aspect who, on Saturday, ended our remaining day opponents Lincoln’s 16-match unbeaten run. We’ll want togetherness, persistence and resolve from everybody, each on the pitch and within the stands, to cross the road.

The membership attended the EFL Awards on the Grosvenor Lodge in London on Sunday. Congratulations to Marlon Pack, Will Norris and Conor Shaughnessy, who have been named within the League One Group of the Season and to John Mousinho, who was recognised for an excellent season by taking residence the League One Supervisor of the 12 months trophy. We’re all thrilled for John and happy with all the pieces he and his employees have achieved.

We have been additionally nominated for the Fan Engagement Award. This recognised the work of each our Matchday Expertise Working Group and Piglet’s Pantry. Subsequent season will see us proceed to develop our efforts even additional on this space. Work within the North Stand has already commenced to determine a brand new mezzanine, which can see the set up of extra bars, and female and male bogs. That is wanted in what has develop into a congested space at half-time because of the trebling of kiosk enterprise throughout the bottom in simply two years. New bogs are additionally being developed within the residence part of the Milton Finish to enhance the expertise for supporters, whereas each tonight and on Saturday, we’ve created further momentary bathroom provision in that stand to assist the stream of spectators.

Our followers matter most to us and our plea to everybody, each this night and on the weekend, is regardless of the consequence, to keep away from coming into the pitch. Now we have a sport right here on Saturday and wish to shield the delicate taking part in floor. Simply as importantly, although, we wish to guarantee the protection of match officers, gamers of each groups and opposition supporters, and shield our personal supporters from potential private sanctions.

Over a few years, it has been a soccer custom for followers to come back on to the sector of play on the finish of the season. Nevertheless, what has largely been harmless and celebratory has been tarnished over the previous two campaigns at plenty of different golf equipment, with people attacking opposition gamers, opposition supporters and assaulting match officers. This has resulted in arrests and jail sentences, in addition to Soccer Banning Orders for others coming onto the pitch, which is now a prison offence. A Soccer Banning Order not solely means exclusion from attending matches, however may imply a person having to give up their passports periodically and be banned from metropolis centres on matchdays, every time their workforce are taking part in.

The rise in incidents has resulted in The FA and the police advising that they’re extraordinarily prone to apply even heavier sanctions towards people and golf equipment this season, the place any such pitch invasion happens. None of us can predict what may occur subsequent when any supporter enters the pitch. Celebrations ought to be a time of unbridled pleasure for everybody – not one thing that results in people regretting their actions for a few years to come back. The membership and gamers are united in asking you to stay within the stands, to allow them to stay on the pitch and revel in any particular moments with you all.

Lastly, I’ve to finish these notes on a tragic matter. After a brief sickness, Chris Hadley, our steward within the South Stand over many seasons, handed away final week. He was recognized and far liked, each by his colleagues and lots of supporters in that space of our stadium. Our condolences and love are with all of his household and buddies. On Saturday, we are going to recognise all of the followers and employees we’ve misplaced over the previous 12 months with a pre-match tribute on the large display screen. Nothing can be extra applicable than to complete the season positively of their reminiscence.

Thanks in your help this night and benefit from the sport. PUP!

Andrew Cullen
CEO