Earlier this season, having experienced some unsavoury incidents involving spectators encroaching on the field of play, Barnes Eagles Club Management decided that we would implement the recommendation made in League Rules. We asked the resident groundsman at one of our pitches to put an extra line one metre from the touchline. Ideally we wanted a different colour or dotted line, but nevertheless we found that putting down training discs on the spectator line did the trick.
We informed the referees who requested all spectators to stay behind the lines. The assistant referees also found it of benefit, because they could run the line without bumping into anyone! But most important of all was the improved behaviour of all spectators and officials and consequently the enjoyment of matches for everyone concerned..

It took the Club some time, but we insisted that our local Council also put the line on our pitches. They soon realised that this was a sensible step to take, and all our pitches now have the spectator lines marked alongside the touchlines. We have found this particularly useful in our 7-a-side pitches, and all our visiting Clubs have complimented us on the initiative. Barnes Eagles intend to submit the institution of spectator lines as a League Rule for next season, which we hope will be supported at the League AGM and adopted as a Rule.

Colin Daily - Barnes Eagles FC

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