Mansfield Town

Our promise

Supporters are assured that Mansfield Town Football Club is in communication with the police and local authority to ensure that crowd safety in the stadium and its surroundings on matchdays is not compromised so far as matters are within the Club's control.

Mansfield Town Football Club and in particular those employed by the Club with specific responsibilities for safety, undertake to ensure, as far as is practicable, that all activities taking place within the stadium are conducted in a manner that places spectator safety above all other considerations.

The Club's primary responsibility, through its safety policies, will be to ensure the reasonable safety of all persons attending the stadium. The Club has appointed a Stadium Safety Officer who will be responsible for ensuring the implementation and maintenance of the stadium regulations.

STADIUM REGULATIONS

The right of admission is reserved to Mansfield Town Football Club.

The following are offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 and are strictly forbidden:

•The throwing of any object within the ground
•The use of foul or abusive language, obscene chanting or racial abuse towards any person
•Unauthorised entry onto the field of play except in an emergency

With the exception of authorized persons holding official passes, the taking of photographs, video photography, or other recordings inside the buildings or the ground is prohibited. In addition, no recording whether for radio or television, by audio or visual means, or for private purposes and whether for transmission or otherwise, is permitted, except with special authorisation in writing from Mansfield Town FC.

Only persons specifically authorised in writing by Mansfield Town FC are permitted in the ground without charge to offer for sale, Newspapers, Periodicals or any other articles, including food and beverages, or to carry out Charity collections.

Unnecessary noise such as that from the use of radio sets and behaviour likely to cause confusion or nuisance of any kind, including foul or abusive language, is not permitted in any part of the ground.

The climbing onto or into stands or other buildings and facilities in the ground are forbidden. The consumption of intoxicating liquors is permitted within the Stadium only in areas permitted by license held under the Licensing Act 2003 issued by Mansfield District Council. Fireworks, flares, air horns, smoke canisters, bottles, glasses, cans, flagsticks, poles and other similar articles or containers, including any of which could or might be used as a weapon, are not permitted within the ground or buildings. Any person in possession of such an article or container may be refused entry or be ejected.

Smoking is not permitted in any covered area of the ground, apart from designated smoking areas.

Any person who fails to comply with instructions from a Steward or other person acting for Mansfield Town FC may be ejected from the ground.

Any person standing in gangways or on steps in contravention of signs and markings will be asked to move. Failure to comply may result in ejection from the ground. Any person found damaging or defacing any property of Mansfield Town FC will be prosecuted.

Mansfield Town FC reserves the right to refuse admission to, or eject from, the ground, any person who refuses to be searched by a Police Officer, Security Officer or a representative of Mansfield Town FC.

All persons entering the ground are admitted only subject to the above rules and regulations. Entry to the ground shall be deemed to constitute unqualified acceptance of all the above rules and regulations.

Mansfield Town FC reserves the right for its servants and agents to remove from the ground any person who does not comply with the above rules and regulations, or whose presence in such ground is, or could reasonably be construed as, constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to other spectators.

All persons entering the ground do so at their own risk.

MATCHDAY SMOKING AREAS

Smoking areas are provided to the rear of the South (home support) and North (away support) Stands.

The areas are clearly marked with painted lines and appropriate signage. Sand buckets for discarded cigarette ends are provided in the area and we ask that supporters use them to avoid the need for additional housekeeping for grounds staff.

This smoking area is provided as a courtesy to supporters and therefore must be used responsibly.

This designated marked smoking area is also for the use of electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are not permitted to be used in any other part of the ground.

Any supporter who does not comply with this policy and:

I. Smokes or uses an electronic cigarette in any area of the stands other than the designated marked smoking area
II. Fails to comply with requests from crowd safety stewards or any member of MTFC staff to only smoke or use an electronic cigarette in the designated marked smoking area will be ejected from the ground and given an appropriate ban.

UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT POLICY

Mansfield Town Football Club (The Club) aims to create and maintain a suitable working environment and specifically, a place where spectators can enjoy the game of football, safe in the knowledge that they are free from all forms of harassment and abuse. The Club will not tolerate any unacceptable conduct, at home or at other club stadia.

DEFINITION

Unacceptable conduct is conduct which is violent or disorderly.

Violent conduct includes any actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against any person, or intentional damage to property.

Disorderly conduct includes any conduct which effects or sustains hatred or ill will against or towards individuals or groups by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability. It also includes the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct, both verbal and non verbal.

RESPONSIBILITY

Everyone associated with the Club has a responsibility to prevent and discourage any form of abuse and as such are responsible not only for their own actions but also those of others. We would therefore encourage everyone to bring to the Club's attention, any incident or behaviour, of individuals or groups of individuals, deemed to be in breach of this policy.

CONSEQUENCES

Any person deemed to be engaging in any unacceptable behaviour may be subject to any, or a combination of, the following:

•Removal from the Stadium
•Suspension from attending any Mansfield Town matches
•An indefinite ban from all future Mansfield Town matches
•Report to the Police and the possibility of criminal proceedings

Complaints Policy

Mansfield Town Football Club (MTFC) welcomes comments and complaints from all members of the Clubs community. We use this process to improve our commitment to the players and staff (including volunteers) so we can provide a safe and enjoyable environment in which people can develop.

MTFC is committed to the continuous improvement of the services it provides. We recognise that, occasionally, mistakes will be made and this will not always meet the individual’s requirements or expectations. For these reasons it is Club policy that all complaints should be:

1. Received positively, treated seriously and in an open manner.
2. Acknowledged immediately, preferably in writing.
3. Investigated.
4. Resolved, wherever that is reasonably practical, within no longer than 13 working weeks.
5. A source of learning with feedback used to ensure continuous improvement of the environment which the Club offers.

No complainant bringing a complaint under this procedure will be treated less favourably by any member of staff. If there is evidence to the contrary, the member of staff may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Scope of Policy

The policy applies to all members of the Club community but does not replace procedures for, staff grievances and disciplinary action: those procedures should be used where appropriate. Any complaints or concerns raised which relate to an individual’s conduct or behaviour and have potential safeguarding implications for any individual (child or adult) will be assessed initially by the Club’s Designated Safeguarding Officer and Senior Safeguarding Manager. Where appropriate, these concerns will then be managed through MTFC’S Safeguarding Policy and procedures. 

Responsibilities

ALL CLUB STAFF have a responsibility for receiving complaints, treating them seriously and dealing with them promptly and courteously in accordance with procedure set out below.

The Club’s Designated Safeguarding Officer has a responsibility for resolving a complaint and leading or contributing to an investigation into a complaint when this is considered appropriate.

The Academy Manager is responsible for resolving complaints which have not been resolved during the previous two stages. The decision made by the Academy Manager is final.

The Club Board/Club Director is responsible for ensuring that the complaints policy and procedure are operating effectively and may become directly involved if a complaint is directed against the Designated Safeguarding Officer or The Academy Manager.

Action to Implement and Develop Policy

MTFC expects complaints to be made informally to a member of staff in the first instance. These concerns should be recorded by the member of staff and advice sought immediately if any safeguarding concerns are suspected or apparent. It is hoped that most complaints can be resolved at this level and any agreed action is captured in a record that is agreed by all parties. 

Where it is not possible to address issues informally with an appropriate manager or initial staff responses do not result in satisfactory resolutions, the complaint should be submitted in writing to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Neil Bainbridge

MTFC Designated Safeguarding Officer/Matchday safeguarding officer

e-mail neil.bainbridge@mansfieldtown.net

Alex Sherriff 

Senior safeguarding manager

e-mail alex.sherriff@mansfieldtown.net

The Club usually expects complaints to be made by the person concerned. MTFC will, however, always consider complaint made by a parent or advocate as it is acknowledged that there are many reasons (including imbalances of power) that block people from making a complaint themselves.

It is very difficult to investigate anonymous complaints as there will always be information that cannot be gathered or clarified. Any complaints relating to potential safeguarding risks will however be taken seriously, including those which fall under the umbrella of the club’s whistleblowing policy and procedures.

The Designated Safeguarding Officer will acknowledge receipt within one working week. The Designated Safeguarding Officer and Senior Safeguarding Manager will then ensure that an independent senior member of staff is identified to investigate the complaint who has neither been directly involved with the complaint or personal interest in the case member.

The allocated independent staff member will respond in writing within one working explaining what has happened as a result of the complaint. Where this involves a member of staff, specific details of action taken will not be made available. This is to ensure that our employees are afforded appropriate confidentiality and respect for their dignity at work.

If the complaint requires further investigation that cannot be carried out within the week, the investigating staff member shall keep the complainant informed and indicate the expected timescale for a response to be provided. 

If the complainant is dissatisfied with the relevant investigating staff member’s response, then the complaint will be forwarded to a member of the Club’s Senior Management to resolve.

The Senior Manager will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and respond to the complainant within 8 working weeks to allow time for any further information gathering and investigations to be undertaken.

If the complainant is still dissatisfied, they have the right to follow the English Football League (EFL) complaints procedure.

Complaints should be made in writing and may be submitted by post to:

The Independent Football Ombudsman

Suite 49

33 Great George Street, LEEDS LS1 3AJ.

Or by e-mail to: contact@theifo.co.uk 

Or via the website: www.theifo.co.uk

Complaints against the Designated Safeguarding Officer, Senior Safeguarding Manager or Academy.

Manager should be addressed to the MTFC Club Director with Line responsibility for the individual.

Monitoring and evaluation

The club will maintain a confidential record of all complaints, appeals and outcomes and consider the learning from issues raised in order to assess what action if any would create a more positive experience and environment for those involved in participating in or providing club activities and to promote a safer environment. Themes and issues arising during each season will be collated and fed back to the Board to inform planning and priorities for the following season.

Safeguarding Vision

Pro-Active

M.T.F.C. is committed to being ahead of a situation where possible, rather than responding once it has happened.

Transparent

M.T.F.C. is committed to creating an environment which allows individuals to approach the club with confidence.

Vigilant

M.T.F.C. is committed to keeping a continual and careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.