From Bristol Live:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-reveal-south-stand-8649553Bristol Rovers have made a long-awaited statement regarding the development of the new South Stand as well as their first home fixture of the season against Barnsley.
Rovers have confirmed that the new stand won't be ready in time for the new season, although the match against the Tykes scheduled for August 12 will go ahead at the Memorial Stadium as initially planned. However, it means the visitors have had to settle for a reduced away ticket allocation of 500 terrace seats with no availability for disabled or accessible seating, something that the club have apologised for.
Bristol Live understand that around 600 supporters have purchased season tickets in the South Stand and as compensation will be provided £10 credit to use on future ticket purchases. The club have also not listed tickets for any home fixtures for non-season ticket holders on their website.
Rovers have planned to build a new structure in that area of the ground that would accommodate an extra 3,414 supporters and had dismantled the previous temporary "tents" at the end of last season. But the site remains flattened and fenced off, with the club still waiting to secure planning permission after their application was validated at the end of June.
Additionally, there have been delays in the planning process amid a backlog in the planning department at Bristol City Hall which has 'effectively ground to halt' with at least four months of backlogs to even be assigned a planning officer at Bristol City Council.
The club also state that they initially discussed either postponing the match or reversing the fixture so it would be played at Oakwell which Barnsley rejected. Had it been accepted, the Gas would have had to play their first five matches of the season away from home.
In their statement, Rovers said: "Bristol Rovers Football Club can today confirm that due to issues outside of the club’s control, the new South Stand development will not be ready for the start of the season.
"As many of you will be aware, the club has pursued an ambitious plan to improve the facilities at the Mem and increase the number of seats heading into this season. This is following the recent reductions in the capacity of the terrace areas and a desire to increase the number of standard and disabled seating options, whilst getting the capacity back up to previous levels.
"Prior to the release of the fixtures, the club requested through the appropriate EFL channels that the first two matches of the season be away from home. Unfortunately, this request was not possible due to fixture sequencing and compilation rules.
"Upon the release of the fixtures, we asked Barnsley to consider a reversal, they ultimately determined that they were not able to agree as it would disrupt their own fixture schedule, which is a decision they are entitled to take under the regulations.
"Following this, we have been in discussions with the EFL to assess our options. This included looking into the possibility for a postponement whilst also reviewing the processes required to facilitate supporters attending the game safely. However, the EFL has informed us that if the Club was unable to fulfil this or any other fixture, it would result in an investigation under the Regulations. As a club, this isn’t a risk that we were prepared to take, despite the mitigating circumstances in this instance."
The club added: "We appreciate that time is now tight before the game so our team will be looking to contact all those currently with season tickets in the affected areas to discuss their specific requirements to see if we can move you to another part of the ground for this fixture. This process will start immediately, and we urge all supporters involved to remain patient whilst our team attempt to find a solution for you.
"Sadly, away supporters for this fixture will be limited to 500 terrace tickets, with no disabled or accessible seating available. This stance has been accepted by Barnsley, our visitors.
"We would like to apologise to both our supporters and those looking to attend from Barnsley for all of the inconvenience.
"Moving forward we will continue to review the situation on a match-by-match basis and update supporters as early as possible as to the plans for each fixture.
"The club is continuing to work with local residents and the local planning authority regarding this application. Following some delays, the planning application has been registered by the council and is currently being assessed. You can review this detail and have your say on the planning portal here."
As shared on Bristol Live's social channels, last Saturday's friendly against Chesterfield acted as an opportunity for supporters to see the current state on the stand developments, with very little progress made. Neighbours situated behind the Mem have also complained of a lack of communication from the club over the project which was first announced by CEO Tom Gorringe earlier this year.
Barnsley released their own, much briefer statement on the situation, stating: "Due to renovation works currently underway at the Memorial Stadium, our away allocation for the fixture will be reduced.
"Tickets for our fixture on Saturday 12 August will be limited to 500 terrace tickets, with no disabled or accessible seating available. Information will be communicated to our fans as soon as possible regarding the process for purchase.
"Bristol Rovers have apologised for the inconvenience and we as a club thank you for your continued fantastic support."
After playing Barnsley on August 12, Rovers host Wycombe Wanderers on August 26 and Lincoln City on September 2, as well as there being potential for a second round League Cup tie should they beat Ipswich Town away from home on August 9.
