Policies & Documents – Forfar Athletic FC

At Forfar Athletic, our commitment reaches beyond matchday. This page sets out the key policies that shape the values of our club—prioritising player welfare, maintaining the highest safety standards, and nurturing a respectful, inclusive community. From safeguarding young talent to ensuring accountability at every level, these policies represent our dedication to wellbeing, risk management, and a positive footballing culture. Whether you're a player, coach, parent, volunteer, or loyal supporter, these guidelines help ensure Station Park remains a welcoming, safe, and vibrant place for all.

Alan Shepherd

chairman, Forfar Athletic FC

Anti-Racism Policy

Forfar Athletic Football Club supports the aims and principals adopted by the Commission for Racial Equality and its campaign against racism in football “Show Racism the Red Card”.

This support may be demonstrated by the Club in a variety of ways:

1. By placing articles in the matchday programme.
2. By offering the tangible support of its players and officials in the form of club publicity which can be distributed to supporters or placed in a prominent viewing position within the ground.
3. By incorporation of a clear policy against racism and sectarianism within the club and incorporating this policy in its Supporters Charter.
4. The exclusion of racist and sectarian material from within the stadium and its immediate surroundings.

Forfar Athletic Football Club would also wish to support the UEFA Ten Point Plan of Action for Professional Football Clubs as follows:

1. Forfar Athletic FC will not tolerate racism, spelling out the action it will take against those engaged in racist chanting. The statement should be printed in all match programmes and displayed permanently and prominently around the ground.
2. Forfar Athletic FC will make public address announcements condemning racist chanting at matches.
3. Forfar Athletic FC makes it a condition of season ticket holders that they do not take part in racist abuse.
4. Forfar Athletic FC will take action to prevent the sale of racist literature inside and outside the ground.
5. Forfar Athletic FC will take disciplinary action against players who engage in racial abuse.
6. Forfar Athletic FC will encourage a common strategy between stewards and police for dealing with racist abuse.
7. Forfar Athletic FC will remove all racist graffiti from the ground as a matter of urgency.

board responsibility / objectives statement

The Forfar Athletic Board and CEO are publicly accountable for Equality and will receive regular updates on the Forfar Athletic activities and the implementation of the Equality Policy from a member of staff board. It is the role of the Board and CEO to address any actual or potential breaches of the policy.

Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy

Forfar Athletic Football Club is fully committed to promoting, supporting and safeguarding the well-being of all children participating in football.

For the purpose of this policy, a child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years.

All staff and volunteers at Forfar Athletic Football Club recognise and accept their individual and collective responsibilities in developing awareness and minimising the risk of the issues which cause children harm.

Forfar Athletic Football Club will:

Respect and promote the rights and well-being of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in football safely.
Adopt and implement the Scottish FA’s “Child Wellbeing and Protection in Scottish Football” policy documents which set out a code of behaviour for all staff and volunteers and ensure compliance.
Introduce a rigorous recruitment process including training for all staff, volunteers and any position deemed to be regulated work with children.
Observe guidelines issued by local Child Protection Committees and share information about child protection and good practise with children, parents, staff and volunteers.
Provide effective management of staff and volunteers through ongoing supervision, support and training.
Respond to any allegations of poor practice, misconduct or abuse of children in line with procedures as well as implementing the relevant disciplinary and appeals process as appropriate.
Introduce a system whereby children, parents, guardians and coaches may talk to an independent person.
Regularly monitor, evaluate and review the implementation of the policy and good practices at regular intervals, ensuring children’s views are included.

A copy of our full Child Wellbeing & Protection Policies and Procedures can be downloaded using these links.

Part 1 – 3 – Introduction, Policy Statement and Set the Standards
Part 4 – Procedures
Part 5 – Practice Notes

Form – Concern Recording Form

Ian Goodfellow
Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer
Forfar Athletic Football Club
Station Park
Carseview Road
Forfar
DD8 3BT
T: 01307 463576
E: cwpo@forfarathletic.co.uk

Code Of Practice

Preventative and Responsive Actions On Unacceptable Conduct

Preventative Activities Envisaged

Forfar Athletic will make personnel available to any organisation locally or nationally where required to reflect anti-discrimination issues.

Forfar Athletic will also offer the support of its players and officials in any publicity with regard to attendance at any events re anti-discrimination policy-making decisions, etc.

Where necessary, anti-discrimination announcements will be made over the public address system at home fixtures.

Forfar Athletic would be willing to participate in any action weeks with regard to anti-discrimination policy both locally and nationally.

We would be willing to supply competition prizes if necessary.

Forfar Athletic will in conjunction with their Safety Officer/Stewards prepare a strategy to identify any offending supporters at home matches in conjunction with police and local authorities.

Responsive Actions

Forfar Athletic will take disciplinary action against any employee, volunteer or official of the club who engages in unacceptable conduct.

They will also publicise any action taken by the club through local media sources.

A record of any supporter ejected from the ground will be kept and made freely available to all parties.

Disability Policy

Introduction

The Forfar Athletic Football Club is committed to ensuring that its disabled supporters and customers have as full access as is reasonably possible to all goods, services, and facilities provided or offered to the public by the Club. This general policy extends to the Club’s administrative base, hospitality suites and lounge bar, as well as to the venue for its matches.

Forfar Athletic Football Club works within the conditions of the Disability Discrimination Act and adheres to the Equality Act 2010 (19^th June 2019 amended) which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.

Administrative Base, Hospitality and Lounge bar

The Club’s offices are accommodated within the main stand, which is located to the north of the stadium. Access is via the rear of the stadium accessed off of Carseview Road.
The offices are located at the ground floor (street) level and there is access/egress via the main door to the stand. This is suitable for the users of wheelchairs. Toilet facilities for disabled are in the hospitality suite, which can be accessed via the west exit, over a concrete concourse and ramp.
There are two access points to the hospitality suite from both external and internal locations via ramps. Disabled toilets are available at ground level within the hospitality suite.
The Lounge bar is located to the east of the hospitality suite and is at ground level. There is one point of access/egress which is suitable for the users of wheelchairs. This area has access to a purpose-built, toilet for disabled persons via the hospitality suite.

Stadium

The Club plays its home fixtures at Station Park, Forfar. As the average attendance at Forfar Athletics home matches is circa 500. For wheelchair users, the club has built a shelter for up five wheelchair users. Toilets for these users can be accessed in the hospitality suite. For non-wheelchair or wheelchair users who choose to access the terrace, users access additional disabled toilets are available in the terracing at the south-west corner of the stadium. The stadium offers the following facilities for disabled spectators:-

5 places for wheelchair users
5 adjacent seats for their carers
Unlimited places for ambulant/blind persons (guide-dogs allowed)
Separate, purpose-built toilet facilities
Unlimited car parking, which is free of charge

Accessibility to Stadium

There are several user-friendly means of accessing the stadium, both externally and internally, e.g., ramp-ways and ground floor doors. The car parking facilities are situated in very close proximity to the various points of entry to the stadium.

Admission to Stadium

The following policies shall apply:-

Disabled Patrons will pay normal admission charge for the appropriate match.
The Club does not charge carers or helpers for entry to its matches, subject to the proviso that this particular concession is not abused.
Pre-booking is not required under normal circumstances. However, advance notice of any unusual requests would be welcomed.

Customer Care

The following policies and procedures shall apply:-

The Club, its staff, and stewards shall not discriminate between people with differing impairments.
The Club’s administrative staff, other “front-of-house” personnel, and stewards shall be instructed to observe the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 or any other relevant legislation.
The Club’s administrative staff, other “front-of-house” personnel, and stewards are required to treat disabled supporters and customers with all due patience, politeness, courtesy, and practical assistance at all times.
The Club guarantees that it shall deal promptly with any grievances relating to the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.
The Club’s administrative staff, other “front-of-house” personnel, and stewards shall be advised of the fact that any incidents of discrimination under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 are serious matters, which could lead to appropriate disciplinary action being initiated.

Disabled Supporters’ Club

The Forfar Athletic Football Club’s overall fan base is relatively small; the Club doesn’t have its own Disabled Supporters’ Club or Network.

Disability Access Officer

The Forfar Athletic FC Disability Access officer is Mr Iain Reid, a Safety officer who can be contacted by telephone on 01307464444 or via email to i.a.reid@btinternet.com

Equality Policy

1. Policy Statement

Forfar Athletic Football Club endorses the principle of Equality and is committed to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved with Forfar Athletic Football Club , regardless of their role, current or potential:

have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, regardless of their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation; and
can be assured of an environment in which their rights and dignity and individual worth are respected and valued, and in particular that they are able to be involved and participate without the threat of discrimination, intimidation, victimisation, bullying, harassment or abuse.

2. Policy Objectives

This Policy has the following objectives:

To promote fair and equitable treatment for everyone involved with Forfar Athletic Football Club, in whatever capacity.
To ensure that no one working for, wishing to work for or working on behalf of Forfar Athletic Football Club receives less favourable treatment on the grounds set out in 1.
To adopt a planned approach (strategically and operationally) to eliminating perceived barriers which discriminate against or exclude particular groups.
To give clear guidance and communication to all individuals who, either administer an area of Forfar Athletic Football Club or work for Forfar athletic Football Club on its commitment to Equality.
To ensure that the content of policies, procedures, competitions, regulations (where applicable) and assessments provides equal opportunity for all except where specific situations or conditions properly or reasonably prevent this.
To adopt systems and procedures which ensure all materials prepared, produced or distributed on behalf of Forfar Athletic Football Club and all relevant public statements made on behalf of Forfar Athletic Football Club reflect its commitment to equality and inclusion.

3. Scope

3.1 This Policy applies to all current and potential employees (temporary), workers, Directors, Co-optees, consultants, agents, sub-contractors, volunteers, and any other person providing services on behalf of Forfar Athletic Football Club (“associated persons”).

3.2 The Policy extends to all activities of Forfar Athletic Football Club.

4. Policy Overview

4.1 Forfar Athletic Football Club is committed to remove and eliminate any direct or indirect discrimination of any form or kind within Forfar Athletic Football Club structures, and will under no circumstances condone unlawful discriminatory practices. The organisation takes a zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying. Examples of the relevant legislation and the behaviours in question are given in Appendix A.

5. Positive Action

5.1 The principle of Equality goes further than simply complying with legislation. It entails taking positive steps to counteract the effects of barriers – whether real or perceived – that restrict the opportunity for all to participate equally and fully.

5.2 Forfar Athletic Football Club will therefore seek to institute, support or contribute to appropriate measures or initiatives that enable access Forfar Athletic Football Club and participation in associated activities by people from any group that is under-represented or has difficulty accessing it.

5.3 Forfar Athletic Football Club will furthermore seek to apply employment practices in general, and recruitment and selection practices more specifically, which encourage and support people with protected characteristics to gain access to work or training.

6. Reasonable adjustments

6.1 Forfar Athletic Football Club recognises that it is has a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled persons.

6.2 The duty to make reasonable adjustments may include the removal, adaptation or alteration of physical features, if these make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to carry out their role. It may also include making changes to working arrangements.

6.3 Forfar Athletic Football Club will consider all requests for adjustments and where possible will accommodate any reasonable requests. Where appropriate, advice may be sought from specialist agencies.

7. Implementation

7.1 To achieve these objectives, Forfar Athletic Football Club is committed to promote and advance equal opportunity through Forfar Athletic Football Club structures which will cover all areas of our organisation. The Diversity Officer is ultimately responsible for implementing the Policy.

7.2 The following steps will be taken to publicise this policy and promote Equality within Forfar Athletic Football Club:

A copy of this Policy will be published on Forfar Athletic Football Club website.
The Board will take full account of the Policy in arriving at all decisions in relation to activities of Forfar Athletic Football Club.
Forfar Athletic Football Club will collaborate fully with any practical surveys or other initiatives designed to assess the level of participation of different sections of the community in football and will take account of the findings in developing measures to promote and enhance Equality.
Forfar Athletic Football Club will provide access to training for all of its Board Members and staff to raise awareness of both collective and individual responsibilities.

8. Responsibilities

8.1 The Board will review all Forfar Athletic Football Club activities and initiatives against the aims of the policy on an annual basis, and will report on developments and highlights.

8.2 The Board, or where appropriate a designated project leader, will review any measures or initiatives that Forfar Athletic Football Club may institute or take part in to promote and enhance equal.

9. Disciplinary Process

9.1 Forfar Athletic Football Club reserves the right to audit compliance with the policy from time to time. If you are an employee, a worker or casual staff and misconduct is discovered as a result of any investigation under this policy the Forfar Athletic Football Club disciplinary procedures will be used in additional to any appropriate external measures. Disciplinary action kay ultimately lead to dismissal.

Appendix A – Legal Notes

Discrimination has been legally defined through a series of legislative acts, including the Race Relations Act, the Sex Discrimination Act, the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equality Act 2006. In April 2010, the Equality Act 2010 received Royal Assent. The Equality Act 2010 is a new law which harmonises where possible, and in some cases extends, protection from discrimination. It applies throughout the UK and came into force in October 2010.

Discrimination refers to unfavourable treatment on the basis of particular characteristics, which are known as the ‘protected characteristics’. Under the Equality Act 2010, the protected characteristics are defined as age (employment only until 2012), disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status (employment only), pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes ethnic or national origin, colour or nationality), religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation.

Under the Equality Act 2010, individuals are protected from discrimination ‘on grounds of’ a protected characteristic^[1]. This means that individuals will be protected if they have a characteristic, are assumed to have it, associate with someone who has it or with someone who is assumed to have it.

Forms of discrimination and discriminatory behaviour include the following:

Direct discrimination

Direct discrimination can be described as less favourable treatment on the grounds of one of the protected characteristics.

Indirect discrimination

Indirect discrimination occurs when a provision, criterion or practice is applied to an individual or group that would put persons of a particular characteristic at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons.

Discrimination arising from disability

When a disabled person is treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability and this unfavourable treatment cannot be justified, this is unlawful. This type of discrimination only relates to disability.

Harassment

Harassment is defined as unwanted conduct relating to a protected characteristic that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity, or which creates an intimidating or hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person.

Victimisation

It is unlawful to treat a person less favourably because he or she has made allegations or brought proceedings under the anti-discrimination legislation, or because they have helped another person to do so. To do so could constitute victimisation.

Bullying

Bullying is defined as a form of personal harassment involving the misuse of power, influence or position to persistently criticise, humiliate or undermine an individual.

^[1] The exception to this is pregnancy and maternity, which does not include protection by association or assumption – a woman is only protected from discrimination on grounds of her own pregnancy.

Ground Regulations

ENTRY TO THIS GROUND, WHETHER ON PAYMENT OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE DEEMED FOR ALL PUPOSES TO CONSTITUTE AN UNQUALIFIED ACCEPTANCE TO BE BOUND BY AND AN UNDERTAKING TO COMPLY WITH THESE GROUND REGULATIONS AND RELEVANT FOOTBALL RULES.

1. All matches are played in accordance with the RULES AND REGULATIONS of The Scottish Football Association, The Scottish Professional Football League and, where applicable, the Regulations of FIFA/UEFA Competitions (“Football Bodies” and “Football Rules”). Capitalised words and phrases in these ground regulations (“Ground Regulations”), except where herein defined, have the meanings given to them in the Rules and Regulations of The Scottish Professional Football League; a copy of which is available at: http://spfl.co.uk/docs/

2. PLAY OR AN EVENT cannot be guaranteed to take place on any particular day or at any particular time and the relevant Home Club (“Club/Event Organiser”) at the match concerned (“the Match”) or event in the stadium to which these Regulations apply (“the Ground”) reserves the right to change its advertised fixtures without prior notice and without liability.

3. All TICKETS for Matches (“Tickets”) sold/issued (“Allotted”) by or on behalf of the Club/Event Organiser are issued on the express conditions that no Ticket holder shall sell or transfer same for a higher price than appears on the face of the Ticket. In the event of any breach of this regulation, the Club/Event Organiser reserves the right to cancel each Ticket concerned and to retain any money paid on Allotment.

4. In the event of a MATCH BEING ABANDONED after having kicked-off, you may be entitled to a refund of the admission charge paid in the determination of the Club/Event Organiser acting reasonably. Where a Match is abandoned before the expiry of the first half, admission arrangements for the re-arranged fixture will be issued to those who attend the abandoned Match. The arrangements in cases where the Match is abandoned after the expiry of the first half shall be a matter for the discretion of the Club/Event Organiser.

5. In the event of a MATCH BEING POSTPONED, for any reason, before having kicked off, any Ticket purchased for the Match will be valid on the postponed date.

6. All persons entering the Ground must pay for admission or otherwise hold a genuine TICKET or other permission from the Club/Event Organiser which was validly issued.

7. Unauthorised persons are not permitted to ENTER UPON THE FIELD OF PLAY, trackside or any place which is not a spectator area. Such incursions will be treated with utmost seriousness and will be liable to arrest and criminal proceedings as well as to disciplinary sanctions by the Club/Event Organiser which may lead to long term exclusion from the Ground.

8. Only persons specifically authorised in writing by the Club/Event Organiser are permitted to offer Newspapers, Periodicals or any other ARTICLES FOR SALE in the Ground and any charitable collection will only be permitted within the ground with the prior written consent of the Club/Event Organiser.

9. Unnecessary NOISE such as from the use of radio sets and behaviour likely, in the opinion of the Club/Event Organiser to cause confusion, annoyance, fear, upset or nuisance of any kind is not permitted in any part of the Ground.

10. The use of disorderly, violent and/or threatening behaviour and/or the use of foul and/or abusive language, racial, sectarian, homophobic or discriminatory abuse, singing and/or chanting of any kind and damage to property is all strictly forbidden, is UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT and each and all of same and if constituting a criminal act and/or acts may result in arrest and/or prosecution and/or in conduct which does not constitute a criminal act and/or in the case of a criminal act, a ‘ban’ from the Ground, regulated football Matches, the confiscation of any Ticket purchased or held and/or any other sanction as may be determined by the Club/Event Organiser and/or in the case of a failure to comply with and/or a breach of Football Rules by the relevant Football Body.

11. The following articles MUST NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE GROUND prohibited weapons, knives, fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety. It is an offence punishable by law and Unacceptable Conduct for any person to enter or attempt to enter the Ground whilst in possession of any article which is a firework or any article or substance whose purpose or any part of its purpose is the emission of a flare for purposes of illuminating or signalling or the emission of smoke and/or gas and any person in possession of such articles will be refused entry to the Ground and if having entered, to expulsion from the ground and such other sanction as may be determined by the Club/Event Organiser and reported to the Police.

12. It is a criminal offence and UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT for any person to enter or attempt to enter the Ground: 1 whilst in possession of a container or any other item which is or was capable of holding liquid or any other thing and which, if thrown, would be capable of causing injury to another person; 2 whilst in possession of alcohol; and/or 3 whilst drunk.

13. Any person entering the ground may, at the sole discretion of the Club/Event Organiser be SEARCHED and is deemed to have consented to be so searched, for any item or Material the possession or use of which may result in and/or cause or contribute to Unacceptable Conduct.

14. STANDING IS FORBIDDEN in seated spectator viewing areas.

15. BANNERS and FLAG Poles and/or other articles which could, or might be used as a weapon, or cause annoyance or unnecessary obstruction or offence and/or which may cause or contribute to Unacceptable Conduct are not permitted within the ground.

16. Under no circumstances is it permitted to THROW or otherwise cause any objects or Materials to enter on to the pitch, pitch surroundings, track(s) and/or Technical Area.

17. At all times, the RIGHT OF ADMISSION is reserved to and by the Club/Event Organiser and no transfers within the Ground are permitted. Spectators found in an area for which they do not have a valid Ticket may be ejected.

18. MOBILE TELEPHONES, SMARTPHONES and other similar mobile telephonic devices (“Mobile Devices”), excluding cameras which are not part of and subsidiary to a Mobile Device, are permitted within the Ground, PROVIDED THAT, (i) they are used for personal and private use only, which, and by way of example only, shall not include the capturing, logging, recording, transmitting, playing, issuing, showing, or any other communication of any material (“Capturing), for any commercial purpose; and (ii) no material that is Captured by a Mobile Device or other device may be published, communicated, transmitted, sent, broadcast and/or otherwise made available by any means to any third party including, without limitation, social networking sites or any other means of communication and/or transmission.

19. Save as provided in paragraph 18 above, NO PERSON (other than a person who holds an appropriate licence) MAY RECORD, TRANSMIT, PLAY, ISSUE. CAPTURE, LOG, BROADCAST, SHOW OR OTHERWISE COMMUNICATE ANY MATERIAL including and/or comprising any audio, visual or audio-visual Material or any information or data, by digital or other means, in relation to a Match taking place in the Ground, any players or other persons present in the Ground and/or the Ground, nor may they bring into the Ground or use within the Ground (or provide to, facilitate or otherwise assist another person to use within the Ground) any equipment or technology which is capable of capturing, logging, recording, transmitting, playing, issuing, showing or otherwise communicating (by digital or other means) any such Material as described above. Any person failing to comply with these restrictions is deemed to be liable to have such equipment, technology and Material in whatever form, confiscated without compensation by the Club/Event Organiser. Copyright, Database Rights and any other intellectual property rights in any such unauthorised recording or transmission is assigned (by way of present assignation or assignations of future rights) to the relevant Football Authority organising the Match in its relevant Competition. You further agree (if and whenever required to do so by said relevant Football Authority to promptly execute all instruments and do all things necessary to vest the right, title and interest in such rights to said relevant Football Authority absolutely and, where legally permissible, with full title guarantee.

20. All PERSONS ENTERING GROUND are admitted only subject to these Ground Regulations and to the Football Rules and Regulations of The Scottish Football Association and The Scottish Professional Football League

21. The Club/Event Organiser reserves the right: (i) for its employees, agents, security staff and contractors to REMOVE FROM THE GROUND; and (ii) to IMPOSE SANCTIONS as regards future entry to the Ground on, any person who does not comply with these Regulations and/or the Rules of The Scottish Football Association, The Scottish Professional Football League and/or, where applicable, the Regulations of the FIFA/UEFA Competitions or whose presence in the Ground is or could reasonably be considered as constituting a source of danger, nuisance and/or annoyance to other persons within the Ground.

22. SMOKING [INCLUDING ALL PIPES AND E CIGARRETTES] IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN in the Stand and other enclosed public locations within the ground. . Smoking is permitted on the terrace areas within the stadium.

23. On no account will admission to the Ground be granted to a person who is subject of a current FOOTBALL BANNING ORDER.

24. CCTV cameras may be in use in and around the Ground and recordings of images, both moving and still, from such CCTV cameras and any other cameras in or on the Ground may be used in any proceedings and/or for any purposes relating to the management and/or control of the Ground by the Club/Event Organiser, the Police, the Visiting Club and the relevant Football Authority. By entering the Ground you are deemed to have consented to the use of such images from such CCTV systems and cameras and for such images to be shared with and/or used by the Club/Event Organiser, the relevant Football Body and by and with the owners and operators of any Club participating in any Match at which such images are captured and/or recorded.

INFORMATION

You should be aware that in terms of a protocol with Police Scotland the details, images and/or result of any arrest, detention and/or prosecution occurring in connection with a Match may be shared with the Club/Event Organiser. FOOTBALL BANNING ORDERs may be imposed on individuals who breach and/or fail to comply with these Ground Regulations. In each regulation text appears in capitals and/or in bold; this is an indication of the subject of the regulation and does not imply any modification of the meaning or significance of the relevant text in its context.

Social Media Policy

It is our aim to inform and engage with supporters and users of the various Forfar Athletic Social media platforms while providing a safe online environment for everyone who visits our sites. On that basis, we will be continuing to apply the following social media policy.

We expect users of the various sites to exercise personal responsibility when participating in social media discussions.
Comments posted by others on our social media feeds do not represent the opinions of Forfar Athletic Football Club.
Comments, links, photos, and videos are welcome on our social media feeds but all postings should be relevant to the channel and will be reviewed. Illegal content such as racial, ethnic, sexual, religious, and physical disability slurs will not be tolerated.
The Club also reserves the right to delete posts violating any governing body code of conduct.
While creative and engaging posts are most welcome, the Club reserve the right to edit, amend or delete any postings that are offensive, misleading, inaccurate or inappropriate, or posts that contain insults, bad language, illegal suggestions, personal attacks, commercial advertising, self-promotion, spam, or unwelcome solicitations.
Any contributors that fall short of these expectations may have their accounts blocked without notification. The Club is not required to enter into conversations regarding its management of social media channels. This includes, but is not limited to a discussion regarding banned accounts.

Supporters Charter

Forfar Athletic Football Club:

Consults supporters on a regular basis through the Supporters Club, Shareholders and local press.
Publicises its position on major policy issues in an easily digested format in the club programme, through the website and local press.
Has and continues to develop ways to consult with shareholders, sponsors, the local authority and other interested parties.
Undertakes research on the design and number of new strips.
Will not knowingly buy goods from any supplier or manufacturer who does not comply fully with labour, safety and other relevant laws of the countries of manufacture with respect to minimum wages, hours of work, overtime, sick pay and holiday entitlement. Forfar Athletic FC opposes the exploitation of child labour. No orders will be placed with suppliers employing child labour under the age allowed in the country concerned. Legitimate apprenticeships or education related work are acceptable as long as there is no risk to the children’s health or safety. Suppliers must not use forced labour and must practice universal respect for human rights and freedom for all, without discrimination because of race, sex, language or religion.

Forfar Athletic Football Club continues to strive for wider access to matches offering:

The Club undertakes to provide or subcontract an appropriate catering service at each of the Club’s First Team games and, where possible, at Reserve Team games.

Forfar Athletic Football Club states that:

The Club abides by the rules of football’s governing bodies relating to the allocation of tickets to visiting club supporters.
As a general rule, ticket refunds are only issued in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Club.
Tickets for Cup Matches
In the event that season tickets are not eligible for cup games, season ticket holders will be given the first opportunity to purchase a ticket for their individual seat(s) prior to the tickets being made available for general sale. (This is in the event of an “all ticket” game only).
Admission monies will not under any circumstances be refunded if the match has to be abandoned after the game has kicked off. However, in the event of such an abandonment occurring before half time, at the very least a voucher will be given to all spectators allowing them free admission to the fixture at any rearranged date, as per ground regulations.
Excellent value season ticket prices. An approximate 40% saving on match day admission prices and again a 50% reduction for Under 16’s and Over 65’s.
A minimum 50% reduction on match day prices for Under 16’s and Over 65’s.
Both home and away kits have a minimum life span of two seasons in line with football industry standards. Training kit will be changed annually.
The above is subject to change in the event of a new club and/or equipment sponsor.
The Club offers a 28-day money back or exchange guarantee on purchases of merchandise through Station Park on the production of a valid receipt and all packaging. The product must be as originally sold. This offer does not affect your statutory rights.
All Club members, supporters and all applicants for employment will be regarded equally and be given equal opportunities in all aspects of contract irrespective of their race, colour, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability or ethnic origin.

Forfar Athletic Football Club:

Will strive to provide value for money in all areas of its business.
Will seek to achieve the highest level of service.
Will treat all customers with respect and courtesy.
To avoid confusion Forfar Athletic FC prefers all complaints to be made in writing by e-mail, fax or letter and will respond in like form. In the first instance, we are committed to acknowledging any letter of complaint within 3 working days of receipt and will endeavour to provide a full response within 10 days.

Unacceptable Conduct

Introduction

At the recent AGM, the Scottish FA made some changes to Article 28 of the Scottish FA Articles of Association in relation to Unacceptable Conduct. Those changes brought in rules which made it explicit that Clubs were required to seek to identify those who engage in Unacceptable Conduct amongst their Officials and supporters and then to apply appropriate and proportionate disciplinary sanctions to those individuals.

Forfar Athletic Football Club will not tolerate unacceptable conduct from the Club’s employees, committee members, players or supporters at Station Park or at any other away football stadium.

Forfar Athletic Football Club aims to create and maintain an environment where spectators can enjoy the game of football, safe in the knowledge that they are free from all forms of harassment, abuse, unacceptable or disorderly conduct. This policy applies for any football matches or events within Station Park, or at any away fixtures. All persons entering the ground are expected to abide by the terms of this policy and by the SFA Ground Regulations.

Definition

Unacceptable conduct is conduct which is violent or disorderly and includes the use of flares, fireworks, smoke bombs or the like and/or any other object which may cause or be part of any incident. Conduct is violent where there is:

Actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against a person or persons
Intentional damage to property.

Disorderly conduct involves any activity which stirs up or sustains, or is likely, or is designed to stir up or sustain hatred or ill will against or towards individuals or groups of people because of:

Gender
Age
Colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin
Membership or presumed membership, of a religious group or of a social or cultural group with perceived religious affiliation
Sexual orientation
Transgender identity
Disability
Using threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct both verbal and non-verbal
Displaying writing or any other item which is threatening, abusive or insulting.

Racism

Forfar Athletic Football Club condemns racism in any form, either on or off the pitch. Forfar Athletic Football Club aims to create and maintain a working and spectating environment free from racial harassment and abuse. Everyone connected with Forfar Athletic Football Club has a responsibility to prevent racial harassment or abuse.

A racist incident is defined by Forfar Athletic Football Club as any incident that is perceived to be racist by the victim, or any other person. Racial harassment is defined by Forfar Athletic Football Club to be any verbal, physical, written or visible abuse that is based on a person’s race, ethnic background, colour, nationality, language or cultural background – and is considered to be unwanted, unacceptable and offensive to the person.

All employees, committee members, players and servants of the Club have a responsibility to make it clear that such behaviour by anyone connected with Forfar Athletic Football Club is unacceptable.

Supporters should also note that racist taunts and abusive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated by Forfar Athletic Football Club and all staff and supporters will be encouraged to condemn and report such behaviour.

Proven racial harassment or abuse will lead to eviction from the stadium and will be reported to the police and may result in a life ban from Forfar Athletic Football Club. Forfar Athletic Football Club will give their full support to the police in any criminal actions.

Season ticket holders who conduct themselves in this manner face having their season ticket revoked and all spectators face the prospect of a life ban from Station Park.

Sectarianism

Scottish football fans have earned a world wide reputation for their enthusiastic and good-natured support of the national team. While most fans follow club football in a responsible way, there are occasions where individuals are intent on causing trouble, using football as an excuse for bigoted and unacceptable behaviour.

By working together to remove bigotry from out football grounds we can demonstrate that Scottish football fans and in particular Forfar Athletic Football Club supporters:

Respect people of all backgrounds and celebrate the multicultural society that Scotland has become in the 21st Century.

Want their football clubs, and the support for their clubs, to reflect the diversity of modern Scottish society and

Are as passionate about their football clubs as they are about their national team.

Consequences

ANY PERSON ENGAGING IN UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT MAY BE SUBJECT TO ANY, OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING:

Removal from Station Park or away stadium
Suspension or indefinite ban from attending home matches involving Forfar Athletic Football Club
Suspension or ban from holding Forfar Athletic Football Club membership
Suspension or ban as a Player or Coach from Forfar Athletic Football Club
Report to the police and possible criminal proceedings.

Responsibility

Everyone associated with the Club has a responsibility to prevent and discourage any form of abuse and as such are responsible not only for their own actions but also those of others. We would, therefore, encourage everyone to bring to the Club’s attention, any incident or behaviour, of individuals or groups of individuals, deemed to be in breach of this policy.

Whilst it is appreciated that behaviour such as that listed above involves the minority of individuals in our society, Forfar Athletic Football Club wishes to ensure that we continue to maintain the highest standards both on and off the field of play and that the name Forfar Athletic Football Club is associated with good and sporting behaviour at all times.