Offenders will be banned
THE Club has issued a warning to fans after smoke bombs have been set off at recent games.Safety Officer, Dave Asbridge, has appealed to fans not to let off smoke bombs on the terraces and says anyone found doing so will be banned.
He said: "Smoke bombs can cause significant problems.
"There is the risk of injury, potential for breathing difficulties amongst fans, the possibility of panic as spectators try to get away from the smoke and even the potential for fire as offenders try to conceal the smoke bomb after ignition.
"The genuine fans, players, staff and the directors of Morecambe Football Club deserve better.
"Under various pieces of legislation it is unlawful to bring incendiary type devices into a football stadium let alone ignite them.
"Anybody offending against these laws runs the risk of arrest and prosecution.
"The courts have the power to impose a national and international ban on convicted offenders.
"As the Ground Safety Officer I have the option to impose local bans barring individuals from all of our premises.
"I do not need the benefit of a court conviction, I simply need to be satisfied that it is not in the club's best interests for named individuals to be on club premises.
"Over the forthcoming months I will be working closely with the police and other clubs to identify offenders and seek a prosecution.
"If this avenue is not open, lengthy club bans will be instituted. We will be taking a proactive approach with a number of tactics employed to seek out and deal with those responsible.
"As with most anti-social incidents, it is the small minority who spoil things for the rest of us.
"If any genuine fans can assist in identifying these individuals the club would be pleased to hear from them.''