Capacity reduced at Hereford United after ground fails safety inspection (From Hereford Times)

Capacity reduced at Hereford United after ground fails safety inspection

3:47pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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THE Blackfriars End at Hereford United's Edgar Street ground is to close after failing a health and safety inspection.

The news is a bitter blow to the club, as club's with large away followings usually have half of the terrace, meaning that it will hit the Bulls in the pocket.

The crash barriers were deemed safe, but the concrete started to lift when tested, resulting in the decision to close the terrace behind the goal.

United were also told that the barriers on the lower tier of the Cargill Community Stand (formerly the Len Weston Stand) are too long for current regulations and will have to be cut and additional walkways made.

No spectactors can also stand on the flat areas of the Meadow End terrace, which means that the capacity at Edgar Street will be vastly reduced.

Current Football League regulations state that each ground must have a minium 5,000 capacity.

Speaking on the club's official website, Bulls chairman Graham Turner said that he is optimistic that the capacity will be above 5,000, but the news has still hit the club hard.

Mr Turner added that season ticket holders in the Blackfriars End have been notified about the news that they will have to move and the club will be having a meeting today (Friday) with its tenants, the Richardson's, to see where they go from here and what alternatives there are in redeveloping the club.