Carson slams capacity cuts at Showgrounds

Ballymena United officials have been stunned by new Health and Safety regulations which mean that only up to 80 per cent of the 2,200 seats can be occupied on a matchday.

While that is unlikely to pose many problems for an Irish League game – last Saturday's match against Linfield and the Boxing Day home game against Coleraine being the likely exceptions – the same criteria will also be applied to Milk Cup finals night, when 440 seats will have to be left vacant.

That idea has appalled local councillor and keen football fan John Carson, who has hit out at the new regulations.

"This move is totally unacceptable by Health and Safety officials," blasted the DUP representative (pictured).

"This is taking Health and Safety regulations to the extreme.

"They were involved from day one and for the club being told now that they must cut the numbers by 20 percent is disgraceful.

"The opening of this new stand at Warden Street was most welcome increasing capacity at the Showgrounds to 3,900. There is considerable demand at the Showgrounds and this extra seating was introduced to meet this demand.

"It is therefore disappointing as this news has put a dampener on what is a good news story for Ballymena.

"Local football relies on getting fans through the turnstile. Reducing it by 20 per cent will therefore affect the ability of fans to secure places and also reduce revenue by approximately 4,000 for major matches. The loss is therefore catastrophic.

"I appeal to the Health and Safety officials to see sense." Councillor Carson added.