Supporters Code of Conduct

Oldham Athletic is a family Club open to all and we make every effort to make everyone feel welcome when they come to Boundary Park.  The Club will not tolerate unacceptable conduct at Boundary Park or at away football stadiums.

Unacceptable conduct brings the Clubs excellent reputation into disrepute.  It is recognised that football is a passionate game and supporters will have their own way of expressing their support and reactions. This is acceptable and welcomed as it often adds positivity to the match day experience.

Oldham Athletic (2004) Association Football Club Ltd (OAFC) expects all of our supporters to conduct themselves in a way that represents the values of the Club. Conduct that jeopardises the safety and enjoyment of others or is likely to bring the Club into disrepute is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

Please note: Children under the age of 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult or responsible person over 18 years of age. This is to safeguard children when in attendance at Boundary Park.

Unacceptable conduct is conduct considered to be violent or disorderly.  Violent conduct includes any actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against any person, or intentional damage to property.

Disorderly conduct includes that which is designed to create hatred or ill will towards individuals or groups based on their:

• Gender

• Colour

• Race

• Religion

• Sexual Orientation

• Transgender Identity

• Disability

Disorderly Conduct can be described by the statements listed below, this list is not exhaustive:

• Using Threatening or abusive language or conduct

• Displaying anything which is threatening, abusive or insulting

In respect of any individual who is guilty of a football related offence or is in breach of EFL or National League Ground Regulations either at Boundary Park or when visiting other stadia, OAFC will take appropriate action. (and where necessary involve the Police, this includes pitch encroachments and the use of pyrotechnics ie: smoke bombs / flares)

Such action is likely to include:

• Refusal of entry, or ejection from the stadium followed by a written warning

• Temporary and / or indefinite Club or Football Banning Order from attending both OAFC home and away fixtures

• Report to the Police, potentially resulting in criminal proceedings leading to banning orders for all matches and / or custodial sentences

It is recognised that the action taken will be relevant to each individual case and OAFC work closely with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to share and collate information regarding supporters involved in unacceptable conduct and behaviour at both home and away fixtures.

Review Date: September 2024
Next Review Date: September 2025

With over 20 million supporters attending EFL fixtures each season, there will be occasions where a supporter will require medical treatment during a match.

The health and safety of everybody attending matches at Oldham Athletic is of paramount importance, so fans can be reassured that all Clubs have a Matchday Medical Plan with dedicated crowd medical teams in stadia, ready to assist at any point during the match.  

If a supporter becomes unwell at Boundary Park and requires medical assistance, then we strongly advise that the nearest steward is made aware who will ensure that the crowd medical team is notified and that appropriate care is provided.

It is important to note that the responsibilities of the crowd medical teams are separate to club medical support teams for players.

During the 2021/22 season, the club had a fixture paused while medical treatment was provided to a supporter. On several occasions, the usual Matchday Medical Plan has been bypassed with members of the Clubs’ on-pitch medical teams called in to assist.

Supporters are asked not to alert players or staff on the pitch as in most cases the crowd medical team will be able to provide medical care as the match continues.

Should a situation arise where there is a need for the match to be halted, a decision will be taken between the crowd medical team, the ground safety team and the match officials with the information relayed to the supporters at the ground.

This is in line with the briefing note produced by National Events Medicine Advisory Group (NEMAG) in conjunction with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s (SGSA) and football authorities.

Again, it is important to remember that if you have any concerns or need assistance while at the match, then please notify your nearest steward who will, in turn, inform the club's Crowd Doctor.