Various media outlets over the summer have reported on the issue of police costs prevalent in football and Sheffield Wednesday would like to underline its stance on this matter, whilst emphasising the excellent relationship the club enjoys on an ongoing basis with South Yorkshire police.
All parties concerned consistently monitor such issues and the Owls’ stadium operations manager John Rutherford explained:
“Our relationship with South Yorkshire Police is cordial and productive regarding the cost of policing matches at Hillsborough.
“The club and the police have a longstanding agreement for the ‘footprint’ around the stadium for which SWFC is billed for police deployed in this area on matchdays. This covers land owned or controlled by the club.
“The charges are determined by individual risk assessments for each match and as such, every first team game at Hillsborough is categorised.
“The costs are totally transparent and the club is aware of the charges on a match by match basis in full conjunction with South Yorkshire Police.”
Mr Rutherford, in his role as regional chair of the Football Safety Officers Association (FSOA), and on behalf of all members, contacted South Yorkshire Police to enquire if the ACPO National Guidance for Football Deployment and Cost Recovery will be reviewed in the light of the recent decision pertaining to Leeds United FC.
He added: “This was done as a matter of course and in line with the steps of football clubs around the country.
“Sheffield Wednesday and South Yorkshire Police are in regular dialogue, we work in partnership on matchdays and enjoy a good working relationship that will only be cemented moving forward.”