Hearts have issued a statement reminding supporters that any damage caused to Easter Road at tomorrow’s League Cup Semi-final, including applying stickers to any parts of the ground, will be charged to Hearts and that is an expense that the club simply cannot afford.
In addition, flares, fireworks or any type of pyrotechnics cannot be taken into Easter Road or its surrounding areas and police will be on hand to carry out searches.
The statement on the club’s website reads:
“Supporters intending to attend the Scottish League Cup semi-final match between Hearts and Inverness CT at Easter Road on February 2 should read the following important information.
“Heart of Midlothian Football Club would like to remind its supporters to enjoy the cup match in a peaceful manner. The club is proud of the way its supporters have behaved at Easter Road in recent times and would like to encourage fans to continue to uphold the good name of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
“The club is confident its fans will display their usual passionate support for the team on the pitch whilst behaving before, during and after the match.
“Buses carrying supporters should park on London Road. Supporters are encouraged to make their way to the game in a civilised manner and respect their surroundings.
“Supporters are asked to allow sufficient travel time for the 12:15pm kick off. Turnstiles will open from 11:15am and supporters are asked to be in the Stadium 30 minutes before Kick-off.
“A new automated access system at Easter Road, allowing supporters to self-scan their tickets on entering the stadium, is in operation.
“Supporters are asked to insert the short barcoded end of their match ticket into the reader with the barcode facing up. If someone is entering into the stadium directly in front of you please wait until they are fully inside the stadium before scanning your ticket. Once you have successfully scanned your ticket a green light will then be displayed on the screen of the reader and the turnstile will release automatically. You should then push the turnstile to gain admission.
“Safety Stewards will be on hand externally to assist supporters on the use of the system and in addition Stewards are located internally to check ticket price classification of the person entering the Stadium via a traffic light system at the turnstiles.
“Supporters are reminded that any damage caused at the stadium, including applying stickers to any parts of the ground, will be charged to Hearts and that is an expense that the club simply cannot afford. In addition, Supporters cannot bring flares, fireworks or any type of pyrotechnics into Easter Road or its surrounding areas.
“Police officers may carry out searches outside Easter Road in an attempt to prevent supporters carrying flares, fireworks, pyrotechnics, alcohol or any other kind of contraband from entering the stadium.
“Anyone caught in possession of any prohibited item can expect to be arrested at the time or as a result of a post match investigation. As well as a criminal conviction, supporters may find themselves banned from attending football matches throughout the country.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
