FA Cup Match Arrangements - 5th September v Worcester City
Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's match
It's a big day for Knowle FC on Saturday 5th September, as we play in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying for the first time...and the game has been selected for live TV coverage!
Knowle will play Worcester City, the match will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, BBC Sport Website and BBC Football's YouTube Channel.
Knowle beat Darlaston Town 2-1 in the extra-preliminary round before overcoming Coleshill Town 1-0 in the preliminary round to reach the qualifying stages of the competition. Worcester City enter the FA Cup in this round, with a trip to the Robins’ Nest on the cards for the Southern League Premier Central side.
We are expecting a capacity crowd for this game, and therefore matchday at the Nest will work very differently to usual league games. Please see below for details, and even if you are a regular visitor, read carefully.
TICKETS:
The match is TICKET ONLY - on the gate entry will not be available. You must purchase tickets online, ahead of the game at ticketsource.com/knowlefc.
Adults - £10
Concessions (13-18, Over 65) - £8
Children Under 13 - FREE
Please note, under 18s will not be admitted unless accompanied by an adult. ID may be asked for on the gate.
GATE:
Gates will open at 11.15am. There will be three gates open on the day. Our main entry will be the usual pay point near the dugouts on the carpark side of the ground. Please head to this first, but in busy periods we will open additional entry gate capacity at the top end of the pitch near the training pitch and at the bottom corner of the playing pitch, near to the driveway.
You will directed to one of these points upon arrival at the ground.
To enter, please have your ticket ready on your device for scanning by our gate staff.
TRAVEL & PARKING:
There will be NO PARKING available for spectators at the ground, with the exception of pre-booked disabled visitors who hold a blue badge. Parking at the ground is reserved for players, officials, volunteers and service providers. Blue badge holders should contact the club asap if they do need a space reserving.
Please therefore consider walking, public transport or car sharing to get to the game.
The nearest train station is Dorridge, which is a 1.8mile walk to the ground.
The bus service that runs through the village of Knowle is the A7, which comes from Solihull Town centre. The bus stop is a ten minute walk to the ground.
If you are travelling to the match by car, the first parking option is Knowle British Legion Club, who have kindly offered their car park. Address is 1611 Warwick Rd, Knowle, Solihull B93 9LU, and this is a half mile walk to the ground. We expect this will fill up very quickly.
Public Parking Options are pay and display, £2.50 for 3-4 hours, half mile walk from ground, and are available as follows:
Shoppers Car park, High St, Knowle, B93 0LL (rear of Greswolde Arms, but don't park in pub carpark, continue round bend).
Village Hall, St Johns Close, Knowle, B93 3GB.
Street parking is an option in Knowle, but we urge all visitors to park carefully, obeying all traffic laws and with full consideration to our local neighbours and the community. Drive carefully in the village and particularly close to the ground where it will get busy with drop offs and people attempting to park. Stewards may be in the area directing traffic and showing where roads are full.
GROUND LAY OUT
We have a 50 seater covered stand; seats will not be reserved and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Wheelchair & disabled seating spaces are available; please contact the club to book.
The rest of the ground is standing only. This is covered on one side of the ground only for around 100 people - in case of inclement weather, rainwear is heavily recommended!
Due to the anticipated crowd, there will be some areas with restricted views. Home and away fans will not be segregated. Please treat all other spectators with care and kindness; be mindful this is a family club with plenty of juniors in attendance at the game.
SECURITY & MEDICAL
Match stewards will be in place around the ground, and there will be a small police presence.
No alcohol can be brought into the ground; and please don't bring glass or metal bottles for soft drinks. Bag and pocket searches will be in operation and we reserve to right to search and turn away entry if necessary.
We have a designated lead medical officer on the day, plus several qualified first aiders. Alert the nearest steward with any issue and they will direct you to assistance or call the medics to you.
FOOD & DRINK
Local butcher Eric Lyons will once again be running a hot food stall, and we have an ice cream van and coffee van in attendance.
Provision likely to be set up on training pitches at far end of the ground - drop them an visit and enjoy!
Our clubhouse bar will be open as usual, serving alcohol, hot and cold soft drinks and snacks. Those familiar with the ground know there is limited space and capacity for the bar, therefore clubhouse seating has been removed to open up room. Please be patient whilst waiting for service, our volunteer bar staff can only pour as fast as the taps allow! We are not allowed to provide drinks (including soft drinks) in cans or bottles pitchside, therefore please understand your drink will be in a disposable cup.
Please place all rubbish in the multiple bins stationed all around the ground, do not give our volunteers extra work to do picking up litter.
Again, ID may be asked for at the bar if you are lucky enough to look under 18, and we will refuse service if no proof of age can be provided.
MERCH AND PROGRAMMES
Matchday programmes will be on sale for £2 at the merchandise stall in the clubhouse. Club merchandise available will include pin badges, hats, scarves, shirts etc.
PAYMENTS
The ground will be CARD ONLY for all sales during this game - food, drink, merchandise. We appreciate this is not ideal for everybody, but please don't bring cash for payments on this one occasion. This will speed up and simplify service.
TOILETS
Toilets are located inside the clubhouse and to the right of the players dressing rooms. We are also hiring some porta-loos and a portable urinal system for the day.
LAST OF ALL
Saturday is likely to be the largest crowd at the ground since the 1980s. Our club is run entirely by volunteers, who all work incredibly hard to make matchdays happen, but can only work within the undoubted constraints our facilities have. Everything may not run with perfect, speedy military precision on Saturday, but please relax, enjoy the grassroots experience and treat all the staff with the patience, kindness and understanding they deserve.
ENJOY THE GAME!
