Conservative MP calls on Welsh Government to allow Barry to host fans
Conservative MP Alun Cairns has called on the Welsh Government to allow Barry Town United to welcome spectators in their play-off match against Caernarfon Town next week.
Cairns, who is the Member of Parliament for the Vale of Glamorgan, the constituency of the Linnets, is keen to see fans back at the home of the seven-time Cymru Premier winners.
Fans haven’t been permitted to attend sporting fixtures since March 2020, but pilot events will take place over the next few weeks.
Newport County and Swansea City, who play in the English pyramid system have been selected as a pilot event, along with Wales’ EURO 2020 warm-up match with Albania but there was no room for any Welsh domestic fixtures.
As a result of the omission of Cymru Leagues clubs, Cairns penned a letter to the recently elected First Minister, Mark Drakeford, where he suggested that Barry Town versus Caernarfon Town is used as a pilot.
“Further to your announcements on trials to reopen sporting and cultural activities to spectators, I am disappointed and frustrated that Vale of Glamorgan has been excluded from your list.
“Although the news on trials must be recognised as a positive step forward coming out of the Covid pandemic restrictions, the events must offer something to communities across Wales, including the Vale of Glamorgan.
“Football is the most popular sporting activity in Wales and there are currently no Welsh football teams playing in a Welsh league included in your proposals. Only Welsh Welsh football teams that play in the English leagues are included.
“Barry Town United for example has worked hard to adhere to social distancing rules and ultimately feel they’ve been ignored. Allowing smaller-scale events to be hosted would also provide good feedback going forward to similar sized outdoor venues across Wales.
“They would also offer a key financial lifeline after the most difficult of periods.”
“Therefore, I urge you in the strongest terms to reconsider your list to include smaller-sized sporting and cultural initiatives. Possible options could include the Cymru Premier playoffs to be hosted at Jenner Park, Barry on 22nd/23rd of May, and potentially the final on the 29th May regardless of who is playing.”
