Eastleigh vow to reimburse Chester FC and the Blues fans after postponement

By Jon Couch
EASTLEIGH have vowed to reimburse both Chester FC and their supporters for their wasted journey to the Silverlake Stadium following their postponed National League fixture.
And they will be given free entry to the re-scheduled fixture on Halloween night after the Hampshire club issued a statement on Tuesday lunchtime accepting responsibility and apologising for the inconvenience caused.
Travelling Blues fans were left fuming with Spitfires chiefs after last Saturday’s clash was called off by referee Savvas Yianni just two hours, 20 minutes before kick off due to safety concerns over the troubled Ten Acres pitch.
It was the second game involving Chester to suffer an 11th-hour postponement this season and prompted new manager Marcus Bignot to describe the situation as “unacceptable”, warning National League chiefs that stuff like this “can not keep being swept under the carpet”.
As yet, no National League sanction has been announced but Eastleigh, backed by multi-millionaire owner Stewart Donald, have vowed to ensure that neither Chester or their travelling fans will be left out of pocket.
The club statement read: “Following the well documented and untimely postponement of our National League fixture against Chester, we can confirm that numerous conversations have taken place with National League representatives, the FA, and Chester Football Club.
“As a result, we have agreed to reimburse Chester, for the costs they incurred in relation to both the team and supporters’ travel. We have also agreed on an additional sum aimed at covering the costs incurred by Chester fans travelling independently.
“Chester have asked that any claim for reimbursement of bonafide travelling costs is directed to them.
We have received half a dozen emails in relation to this matter from visiting fans and have redirected these accordingly.
“As a further gesture of goodwill, we will provide free entry for all Chester fans for the rearranged fixture.
“Having carried out extensive repair works to our pitch this summer, no one is more disappointed at this situation than ourselves.
“Full pitch repairs are underway and an update on this will follow shortly.
“As a club that is fully committed to providing affordable football to the local community, we feel it is only right and fair to reimburse the travelling fans as we understand only too well how expensive following the modern game has become.
“Agreed protocol has been put in place with both the National League and the FA going forward, and we sincerely hope this is a situation which will not arise again in the future.
“Our apologies go to both sets of supporters who were hoping to attend the original fixture.”