MARINE ANNOUNCE PLANS AHEAD OF MAGICAL TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR CUP TIE BUT NOW WITH NO FANS

Sefton Council, Merseyside Police and Marine prepare for arrival of Tottenham Hotspur and BBC Match of the Day cameras.

Pitching In Northern Premier League Marine announces plans agreed with Sefton Council and Merseyside Police to prepare for the biggest game in their 126 year history with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to The Marine Travel Arena on Sunday 10th January.

The Emirates FA Cup round 3 game kicks off at 5pm and is to be screened live on BBC 1.

Due to the Liverpool City Region moving into Tier 3 of the Covid-19 restrictions the FA have confirmed to Club officials that the game has to be played behind closed doors.

BBC broadcasting vehicles and additional floodlighting systems will start to arrive from this Wednesday and will remain until the day after the game.

A highways plan including temporary suspensions of parking has been agreed with Sefton Council Highways to allow for the arrival and departure of broadcasting and floodlighting transport in addition to managing traffic at the front of the stadium on the day of the game.

There will be no formal applications made by Marine officials or Merseyside Police for the closure of College Road on the day of the game.

The parking of television support & technical vehicles and car parking for BBC staff, media, match officials, club directors and other visitors will be provided at two sites away from the football ground.

The team coaches will also be parked away from the Marine Travel Arena in a nearby secure location.     

The pay and display facility on Marine’s car park will be closed from this Tuesday evening until all broadcasting vehicles depart on Monday, the day after the game.

For the game, the number of safety stewards operating inside the ground, to the perimeter and front of the stadium including entrances will be significantly increased with the help of Liverpool FC who are to provide additional security and safety personnel to assist with the arrangements covered in the Club’s stewarding plan.     

Merseyside Police on the day will have a large presence outside of the ground to help manage traffic movements on College Road and the arrival and departure of team coaches.

Following the government announcement last week that the Liverpool City Region is to be moved into Tier 3 no fans can attend the game.

In the interest of public safety, members of the public are advised to stay away from the College Road area immediately before, during and after the game. 

Residents are also reminded that under Tier 3 restrictions, you are forbidden from socialising indoors or in private gardens with anyone who is not in your household or support bubble

Marine Chairman Paul Leary said:

“Without doubt this Emirates FA Cup tie is the biggest game in our long and proud history. We did well in preparing for the Havant & Waterlooville game but this round 3 cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur in front of the BBC 1 cameras is at another level in terms of planning, logistics, safety and security. 

Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, The FA and Liverpool FC have all played a massive part in the planning and preparations for the game since the draw was made. I would like to thank everyone involved in the planning process for the part that they have played enabling this very special game to take place at The Marine Travel Arena this coming Sunday.

Leary added:

“This game is the best example of how magical The Emirates FA Cup can be. It is the first time ever in the history of the FA Cup that a step 8 team has played a top flight Premier team in round 3 and the tie has caught the imagination of football fans from around the world. For our players, staff, supporters, sponsors, neighbours and residents of Crosby, Sefton and beyond it is a wonderful football moment that will probably never happen again.

Every effort is being made to minimise the impact on the local community and businesses and we will continue to consult with all parties including our neighbours right up to the day of the game.”

Marine President Dave Thompson said:

“On behalf of everyone at Marine I look forward to meeting the officials, staff and players of Tottenham Hotspur for this most amazing FA Cup match. I am so proud that we have been allowed to stage such a prestigious game at our football ground and I am sure that our visitors will enjoy the experience and the hospitality that will be provided. Our players have been tremendous in getting through seven rounds of the FA Cup and to play Tottenham Hotspur at home is a fitting reward for their magnificent efforts.”    

Thompson added:

“Of course we are hugely disappointed that our fans cannot now attend this most special game but we all have a duty of care to work together to beat this terrible virus and if fans staying away can help us achieve that aim then it is truly worth it.”

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