Football club complains after FA Cup date change

Horsham’s vice chairman, Mark Barrett, has written an open letter to South Yorkshire Police

A football club has said hundreds of supporters will be unable to attend one of the biggest matches in its history following a fixture change.

The FA Cup first round tie between Barnsley and Horsham FC has been moved from Saturday 4 November, to 19:45 GMT on Friday 3 November, at the request of South Yorkshire Police.

Horsham’s vice chairman, Mark Barrett, has written an open letter to the force, stating his “dismay” at the decision.

South Yorkshire Police said officers in the county were “experiencing high levels of demand”.

It is the fifth time Horsham FC has reached the first round of the competition in its 142-year history.

'Absolute shame'

Mr Barrett said the club had expected about 600 supporters to make the trip if the match had been played at the traditional time of 15:00 on a Saturday, but feared less than half of that would now attend.

“We’re moving towards November, so people will have used up their holiday entitlement and will struggle to get time off work,” he told BBC Radio Sussex.

“And we’re a family, community club, and obviously the families are not going to be able to take the kids out of school.”

“It’s an absolute shame, as getting the first round is the holy grail of non-league football.”

Both Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers are due to play home fixtures on 4 November.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said its high demand was due to anti-social behaviour linked to darker nights and fireworks, a busy football season and an increase in political protests.

“With multiple events taking place within South Yorkshire, our priority remains the safety of those attending, and this can only be ensured where appropriate resourcing is in place,” they said.

A statement released by the club said: “Whilst not ideal, we hope that our fans can still travel up to Oakwell in support of the team for what is a massive game and a magnificent achievement by the whole squad.”

The club is also offering coaches to Barnsley, which will leave Horsham at 11:00 on the day of the match and arrive back in the early hours of 4 November.