Welcome to our U-14 Membership & Junior Season Ticket Frequently Asked Questions
This page explains how our Under 14 Admission Policy, Junior Memberships, and Safeguarding & GDPR processes work at Merthyr Town FC.
We want every young supporter to enjoy football safely, confidently, and with the right support in place.

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1. Admission Rules for Under 14s

What do you mean by Under-14?
Any child who is under the age of 14 at any time during the 2026/27 season – that is, up to and including the end of May 2027.

Can children aged 13 or under enter the ground on their own?
No. Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or over to enter Penydarren Park.
This is a National League requirement and applies to all fixtures.

Does my child have to enrol in the U14s membership scheme?
No.  The membership scheme is not compulsory. However it will help with matchday management, and we also hope it makes your child feel part of the Merthyr Town family.

Who counts as a “responsible adult”?
A responsible adult is anyone aged 18+ who has been authorised by a parent or guardian to supervise the child and remain in the ground for the duration of the match.

How many children can one adult bring into the ground?
We take a common sense, safety first approach to supervision.
Most situations are absolutely fine:
•    Parents bringing their own children — for example, a mum or dad attending with three or four of their own children — is perfectly acceptable.
•    School teachers, coaches or youth leaders bringing a group of children in line with NSPCC/FA supervision ratios are also welcome. We simply ask that groups inform the club in advance so we can support their visit.
Where we may look a little closer:
•    If a single 18 year old arrives with a group of several younger children (for example, five 13 year olds), stewards may carry out a brief, friendly check to ensure the arrangements are safe and appropriate.
Our aim is always to keep children safe while keeping things simple and welcoming for families and groups.

Do children need to show ID?
No. Children are not required to carry formal identification. However, they should ideally have their U14 (Under 14) membership card with them at all times at the ground.

What happens if a child appears to be unaccompanied?
Our stewards may:
•    Ask who the child is attending with
•    Request contact details for a parent or guardian
•    Support the child until an adult is identified
If no responsible adult can be contacted, entry may be refused and safeguarding procedures followed.

2. Tickets & Memberships

Who can buy an Under 14 or Junior ticket?
Only an adult aged 18 or over can purchase an Under 14 ticket.

Is the Under 14 Membership free?
Yes. The U14 Membership is completely free.

How much is Junior Season Ticket?
The Junior Season Ticket costs £70 per season.

Can 14–16 year olds register themselves?
Yes. Supporters aged 14–16 can self register for the Junior Season Ticket.

Is a photo required?
Yes. A clear head and shoulders photo is required for the membership card.
This helps stewards confirm identity on matchdays.

3. Safeguarding & Welfare

What welfare information can I provide?
Parents/guardians may choose to share:
•    Allergies
•    Medical conditions
•    Accessibility needs
•    Emergency contact details
This information is only visible to matchday stewards and authorised staff.

Can children move around the ground without their adult?
Yes. Children may move independently for normal activities such as:
•    Toilets
•    Refreshments
•    Concourse movement
The responsible adult must remain inside the ground.

What happens if a child needs help or appears vulnerable?
Our stewards will:
•    Stay with the child
•    Move them to a safe, supervised area
•    Contact the Safeguarding Officer
•    Contact parents or emergency services if required
Your child’s safety is always our priority.

4. GDPR & Data Protection

What information do you collect about my child?
We only collect what is necessary:
•    Name
•    Date of birth
•    Membership ID
•    QR code (contains no personal data)
•    Parent/guardian contact details
Optional: medical or accessibility information.

Who can access my child’s data?
Only authorised staff with safeguarding or operational responsibilities.

How long is the data kept?
Data is retained:
•    Until the end of the season plus 12 months, or
•    Until the child turns 14, or
•    Until consent is withdrawn
After that, it is securely deleted.

Can I withdraw consent?
Yes. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
We will delete the data within 30 days unless legally required to retain it longer.

Does the QR code contain personal information?
No. The QR code contains no personal data.
It simply links to an internal membership ID.

5. Photography & Media

Will the club use my child’s photo publicly?
Not without explicit parental consent.
General crowd images may be used for promotional purposes, but identifiable images of children require permission.
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