Under a new directive issued by the National League Board, children Under 14 years of age are not permitted to enter any National League, National League North, or National League South ground unless accompanied by a parent or a responsible adult aged 18 or over.

This means that match day tickets for children under 14, can only be purchased by a parent or responsible adult aged 18 or over. To deal with this new policy the Club have decided to introduce a specific membership scheme for all Under 14's, so that they will not need to carry any other means of identification to our games. We aim to have an online application solution available early next week, alternatively to apply please download this form.

Unfortunately, this means that if a child appears to be unaccompanied, club officials or stewards may request contact details for a parent, guardian or carer. The expectation is that this adult can be contacted promptly.

This policy applies to all competitive fixtures and events where the ground is open to the public.

Rationale for the Policy

The directive is grounded in safeguarding best practice and the operational realities of football grounds. Its purpose is preventative, not punitive.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

All football clubs have a duty of care to children attending games player at their ground. This includes:

• Reducing the risk of children becoming lost or separated.

• Ensuring children have access to a responsible adult in the event of distress, illness, or an incident.

• Aligning with wider safeguarding standards used across sport and licensed venues.

An accompanied entry requirement provides a clear and consistent safeguard.

Crowd and Child Safety

National League grounds can present challenges for young children, including:

• Large crowds and congestion at turnstiles and exits.

• Crowded standing areas and restricted sight lines.

• Elevated noise levels and heightened emotions during matches.

Requiring adult supervision helps ensure children can be supported appropriately in these environments. This is the detailed policy of the Under 14’s membership scheme.