Police concern at Derbyshire football club’s bid to host boxing events

Alfreton Town Football Club, which plays at the Impact Arena in North Street, has made the application to Amber Valley Borough Council.

It has asked to host up to two boxing matches a year in a marquee to be constructed on the pitch between 6.30pm and 10pm on Saturdays.

The application will be decided by the authority’s licensing panel on Friday, May 10.

Derbyshire police licensing officer, PC Glenn Holden, submitted a letter on behalf of the force, objecting to the plan, saying: “Derbyshire Police give formal notice of objection to the variation application for Alfreton Town Football Club under the crime and disorder objective.

“However if the application can be amended to insert conditions around the application then there is scope for the objection to be withdrawn.”

Two residents got in touch with the borough council to oppose the plans – fearing further parking issues and other disruption.

One of them, Rita Borondy, said: “Parking for such an event could cause total disruption and late night noise for local residents and surrounding areas.”

Another resident, Lindsey Brooks, said that she lives close to the football team’s ground. She said: “My concerns are the noise during the event, the disruption caused by intoxicated people leaving the event late at night and cars being parked on residential streets, because of inadequate parking, which causes problems when any fixture takes place.”

An application form submitted by the football club’s chairman, Wayne Bradley, says that licensed security would attend each of the boxing events.

Some advisory conditions which could be attached to the application by the council include the need for the club’s registered licensee to attend Pubwatch meetings, that alcohol cannot be served whilst sport is in play on match days, plastic glasses must be used on match days and stewards must control the drinking area.

These conditions were in line with what is already in place at the club for its regular football fixtures.

Alfreton Town currently sit in 15th place in the Vanarama National League North, on 51 points.

They have won 13 games out of the 42 they have played this season, with 12 draws and 17 losses.

The club was formed in 1959 following the merger of Alfreton Miners Welfare and Alfreton United football clubs.