Policies

At Albion Rovers, football is about more than 90 minutes on the pitch — it’s about people. We’re proud to make Cliftonhill a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for everyone who comes through the gates. From safeguarding our young players to looking after supporters, staff, and volunteers, our policies are here to protect the Rovers family and keep our club at the heart of the community.

Robert Cameron

Chairman

Equality

Our public commitment to addressing inequalities and preventing discrimination

Albion Rovers Football Club endorses the principle of Equality and is committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to be involved with Albion Rovers FC 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.

ARFC Board of Directors’ Responsibility & Objectives Statement – January 2025

The Albion Rovers FC Board are publicly accountable for Equality and receives regular updates on Albion Rovers FC activities and the implementation of the Equality Policy from members of staff.

It is the role of the Board to address any actual or potential breaches of the Club’s policy.

Albion Rovers Diversity and Inclusion Director Description – January 2025

The Albion Rovers FC Board Member appointed with responsibility for Diversity and Inclusion will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of Albion Rovers FC’s Equality Policy.

They will have overall responsibility for overseeing the delivery of the Equality Action Plan and the overall progress of Equality within the Albion Rovers FC structures.

Board Member Ben Kearney has lead responsibility for Equality in the Club. He can be contacted via [email protected].

Albion Rovers Equality & Diversity Policy – January 2025

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. 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.

MatchDay Safty

Albion Rovers Football Club is committed to provide the safest possible environment for spectators at The Reigart Stadium.

The responsibility for the safety of spectators at sports grounds always lies with the ground management. Stewards are part of the ground management.

It is the policy of the Club to provide sufficient qualified Stewards to promote safety, comfort and customer service within the stadium and the immediate surrounding areas for all spectators and employees.

Stewards are employed to assist with circulation of spectators, prevent overcrowding, reduce the likelihood and incident of disorder, and provide the means to investigate, report and take early action in an emergency.

In carrying out these duties, Stewards should always be aware of, and ensure the care, comfort, and wellbeing of all categories of spectators.

The Club has appointed a Safety Officer, Terry Gillooly, who will ensure that the policy of the Club is fully complied with and that the Stewards are deployed in an efficient and effective manner.

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the function of all stewards and security matters within the Club.

The Safety Officer will ensure that all Stewards are suitably trained, and operational control meets the criteria set out in the Club’s written policy of safety and in conjunction with recommendations published in the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds manual. (Green Guide manual- 6th edition – and any subsequent revisions)

STATEMENT OF INTENT

This is a joint management statement between the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and Albion Rovers Football Club and is not intended to be a legal document.

Albion Rovers Football Club undertakes to provide a safe environment held at Cliftonhill Stadium and will produce written confirmation of this signed by an authorized signatory by way of providing a Match Day Safety Certificate prior to the commencement of any sporting or public event.

The list of authorized signatories currently entitled to sign the match safety certificate on behalf of Albion Rovers Football Club is Terry Gillooly, Club Safety Officer.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland or his authorized representative supported by Club Stewards undertakes to maintain public order in or at Cliftonhill stadium.

Albion Rovers Football Club undertakes to convene a pre match operational meeting involving the Chief Constable or his authorized representative and Club Officials forty-eight hours prior to any football event to define roles, personnel levels and responsibilities.

Albion Rovers Football Club recognizes that the ultimate control at any football event will rest with the Senior Police officer on duty.

Terry Gillooly

Safety Officer

January 2025

Search Policy

The policy of the Directors of Albion Rovers Football Club is to
achieve and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, the
highest standards of safety for spectators and to conduct the
club’s activities with appropriate safeguards against exposing
the General Public to risks to their health and safety while
visiting Reigart Stadium.

• As a result, Bag searches are required for everyone entering the
stadium on match days. This should include employees,
contractors, teams, media, and official guests, as well as the
paying public.

• We would ask everyone entering Reigart Stadium to adhere to
searches when requested.

• Failure to allow stewarding staff to carry out a bag search could
result in entry to the ground being refused.

• Any prohibited items will be confiscated, and Police Scotland
may be informed.

Terry Gillooly
Safety Officer
January 2025

Child Wellbeing & Protection

Albion Rovers recognise our responsibility and are fully committed to promote, support and safeguard children’s wellbeing while participating in Scottish football. We will ensure that every child who takes part in football, in any capacity, is able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment, which promotes inclusion and protects them from harm, poor practice, exploitation, bullying or abuse.

Our policies, procedures and safeguards, as well as training will give us the confidence and support needed to fulfil our responsibility to keep children safe from harm, abuse and exploitation; allowing the opportunity for children to flourish in football.

Our Child Wellbeing & Protection team are Amanda Moore and Sam Gemmell.

You can contact the team via [email protected] or 07850 213747.

They are visible on a matchday at The Reigart Stadium too.

Please see below the Club Organogram and the Albion Rovers Football Club – Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy.

Childline is a free, private and confidential service where a child or young person can talk about anything that is causing them to worry. If you need some help, you can contact them online or on the phone using the link to access their contact us page HERE.

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web-based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Visit their website HERE for more information and how to contact them.

Parents and carers sometimes need a little help; in times of crisis or simply day to day. Whatever it is that affects your family, you can talk it over with someone from Children 1st Parentline. Visit their website HERE for more information and how to contact them.

Police Scotland’s purpose is to improve the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities in Scotland. If you feel that a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm, contact them for advice or support. Emergency 999 non-emergency 101.

The Scottish FA wants football to be a fun, safe and inclusive activity for children and young people. Regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnicity, location or ambition to play, our goal is to ensure every child has a positive experience of football. Use the link to find more information and contact details HERE.

Other useful agencies:

Cruse (bereavement care) http://www.crusescotland.org.uk/
LGBTQI (support and advice) https://www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/
Mind (mental health & wellbeing) https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-young-people/
Young Minds (mental health support) https://youngminds.org.uk/

Unacceptable Behaviour Policy

In accordance with the Amended Rules for Ground Safety and Behaviour at Matches, Albion
Rovers Football Club has a duty to ensure that its Players, Officials, Supporters, and any
other person connected with the club do NOT engage in any conduct deemed unacceptable
under these rules.
This applies both on the occasion of an official match at our home stadium of Reigart
Stadium or at official away matches played by the Club.
The definition of unacceptable conduct covers conduct which is violent and/or disorderly.
Violent conduct includes: –
1. Actual attempted or threatened violence against a person or persons.
2. Intentional damage to property.
Disorderly conduct includes: –
1. Conduct which is designed to create or sustain hatred or ill will against a group of persons
based on their membership, or presumed membership, of the following categories of
defined
groups:
a) Female or male gender
b) Colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national group.
c) Membership of a religious group or a group with a perceived religious affiliation.
d) Sexual orientation
e) Transgender identity
f) Disability
2. The use of threatening, abusive or insulting language.
3. The display of written words, or other visual display, which is threatening, abusive or
insulting.
Albion Rovers Football Club will always accept its responsibility under these rules and will
NOT tolerate any behaviour deemed unacceptable.
Any Albion Rovers official, employee or other person connected with the Club who engages
in such behaviour will be dealt with under the Clubs internal disciplinary procedures.
Any supporter who engages in such behaviour will be liable for sanctions imposed by the
club
which could include withdrawal of season ticket, exclusion from future Albion Rovers
matches or, in the event of serious and/or persistent offending, an application being made
towards obtaining a football banning order.
Terry Gillooly
Safety Officer
January 2025
Albion Rovers Football Club

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION POLICY

In terms of the Equality Act 2010 Albion Rovers Football Club is committed to ensuring that disabled
supporters and customers have as full access as is reasonably possible, to all goods, services and
facilities provided or offered to the general public by the Club.

The Club offers a concessionary ticket rate to disabled supporters of all clubs and ensures that this
does not discriminate between disabled people with differing impairments. In addition, access for
Carers accompanying disabled supporters is free of charge.

The Club recognises that not all facilities are fully accessible to disabled customers and is committed
carrying out reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010 and its relevant Codes of
Practice to ensure full compliance with the legislation.

The Club ensures that all staff are familiar with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and
undertakes such training as is necessary to ensure that staff are competent.

The Club has a Grievance Procedure in place and is committed to ensuring that any grievances raised
by disabled supporters are dealt with in a timely manner.

Any incidents of a discriminatory nature against disabled supporters will result in removal from the
ground and a lifetime ban from Reigart Stadium.

All staff are instructed that any instance of a discriminatory nature as defined under the provisions of
the Equality Act 2010 is a serious matter and will be subject to investigation under the Club’s
Disciplinary Procedures.

Terry Gillooly
Safety Officer
January 2025

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

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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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.
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.
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.
STANDING IS FORBIDDEN in seated spectator viewing areas.
BANNERS 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 inside the Ground.
On no account will admission to the Ground be granted to a person who is subject of a current FOOTBALL BANNING ORDER.
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.

SUPPORTERS CHARTER

Albion Rovers Football Club recognizes the special bond between the Club and its
supporters. It recognizes and respects the contribution Supporters make to the existence of
the Club. The Football Club makes every effort to ensure that it’s policies and practices are
open, accessible, and communicated as effectively and widely as possible.
The Club will conduct an annual review of this charter and associated activities and make
changes as appropriate in line with guidance from relevant governing bodies.
Documentary evidence of this will be included in the Club’s audit submission.

KEY ISSUES
1. Accessibility
2. Away Support
3. Loyalty and Membership
4. Consultation and Information
5. Community Activity
6. Merchandise
7. Staff Conduct
8. Customer Service

1) ACCESSIBILITY
The Club continues to strive for wider access to matches by offering:
• Reasonably priced Season Tickets allowing entry to all Lowland League matches.
• Season tickets which recognise the following supporter categories but not exclusively –
adult, pensioners, youths and children under 12 years.
• Reasonable admission prices (agreed in conjunction with our opponents) for entry to Cup
competition matches under the auspices of the SPFL and SFA.
• Free admission for less able supporters’ carers. Special needs are met by contacting the
Stadium on 01236 606334 on or before match days.
• Free or reduced admission to replays of abandoned matches. If a match is abandoned
after spectators are admitted to the ground, but prior to kick off, spectators are entitled to
free admission to the re-arranged or a full refund. Vouchers will be issued for this purpose.
If a match is abandoned after kick – off, spectators are entitled to reduced admissions to the
re-arranged match or a partial refund. Vouchers will be issued for this purpose.

2) AWAY SUPPORT
The Club does not charge admissions prices to visiting supporters which are different to
those charged to home supporters. Concessionary rates offered to senior citizens and
junior supporters apply equally to visiting supporters.
The Club complies with SPFL and SFA rules governing the allocation of tickets to visiting
Clubs.

3) CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION
• The Club consults supporters on a regular basis via quarterly meetings with the Albion
Rovers Supporters Trust, Club Website (www.albionroversfc.com) and Match Programme.
The Club also actively promotes on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
• The Club publicises its position on major policy issues in concise format in the Match
Programme, Club Website, social media, and press releases as appropriate.
• The Club undertakes research on the design and number of new strips. • The Club will not
knowingly buy goods from any manufacturer who does not comply with the labour, safety,
and other relevant law the country has with respect to minimum wage, hours of work,
overtime, sick pay, and holiday entitlement.

4) COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
• The Club supports appropriate activities both in the local community and the wider
football community.
• The Club seeks to promote close links with the local community and to introduce young
people to football as players and spectators.
• The Club supports and works with outside agencies, especially disadvantaged groups such
as disabled, ethnic minority and the unemployed.
• The Club supports and promotes the “Show Racism the Red Card” Programme
• The Club supports charitable events in the local community and schools and makes
regular donations to fund raising events throughout the community.
5) MERCHANDISE
• The Club offers a range of branded goods to supporters and aims to ensure that these
represent good value for money. These are available from the Stadium Shop and also
online.
• The Club carried out its obligations to prevent price fixing in regulation to branded goods.
• The Club offers refunds on merchandise in accordance with its legal obligations.

6) STAFF CONDUCT
It is Club policy that there should be equal opportunity for all. This policy applies to external
recruitment, internal appointment, terms of employment, conditions of service and
opportunity for training and promotion, regardless of sex, marital status, creed, colour,
race, age, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic or national origin. The policy applies
equally to our customers, clients, and suppliers.

7) CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Club:
• Strives to provide value for money in all aspects of its activities.
• Seeks to achieve the highest possible level of service.
• Treats all customers with respect and courtesy.
• Guarantees a prompt response to any contact from a customer.
Albion Rovers Football Club prefers any complaints to be made in writing by e-mail, fax or
letter and it will be responded to accordingly. In the first instance customers are
encouraged to contact the Administration Office who will ensure that a letter
acknowledging a complaint will be sent within 3 working days and will endeavour to
provide a full response within 10 working days.

ISSUED BY: Terry Gillooly
Safety Officer
January 2025

Diversity and Equality Policy

Albion Rovers Football Club believes that every person should feel welcome and safe at
football regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, race, faith, sexual orientation or any
other equality characteristic.

Albion Rovers Football Club is committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and
combating unfair treatment throughout our organisation, supporters and staff.

We are committed to confronting and eliminating discrimination while at the same time
promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity.

Equality and Diversity statement
Albion Rovers Football Club is committed to promoting inclusion and equality and to
confronting and eliminating discrimination of any form whether by reason of race, religion,
gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, age, pregnancy or maternity,
disability, gender identity or trans status.

Albion Rovers Football Club will not tolerate any form of discrimination against any person
and will take relevant action against employees, contractors or supporters who engage in
discrimination.

We will create and maintain an organisation in which fairness, equality, anti-discrimination
and diversity is maintained, promoted and enforced for the benefit of everyone.

Albion Rovers Football Club is an equal opportunities employer.

We aim to ensure that all employment decisions are taken, without reference to irrelevant or
discriminatory criteria, and that staff feel valued and are able to aspire to achieve their full
potential.

Legal Obligations
Albion Rovers Football Club is committed to avoiding and eliminating unfair discrimination of
any kind in the club, and will under no circumstances condone unlawful discriminatory
practices.

The organisation takes a zero-tolerance approach to harassment, victimisation or bullying.

Implementation
The following steps will be taken to publicise this
policy and promote equality in Albion Rovers
Football Club:
A copy of this document will be published on the Albion Rovers Football Club
website

Albion Rovers Football Club Board will take overall accountability for ensuring that
the policy is observed

Albion Rovers Football Club will take full account of the policy in arriving at all
decisions in relation to activities of Albion Rovers Football Club

It will be a condition of working with Albion Rovers
Football Club that suppliers and individuals paid to
represent the club:
Commit to act in accordance with this policy; and

Support such measures and initiatives that Albion Rovers Football Club may institute
or take part in to advance the aims of this policy.

RESPONSIBILITY, MONITORING AND
EVALUATION
The Albion Rovers Football Club Board will be
accountable for ensuring the implementation of
this policy
Board Member Ben Kearney will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of
equality in the club.

The Board itself will review the policy at intervals of no more than two years, (or when
necessary due to changes in legislation) in line with the policy review process.

COMPLAINTS AND COMPLIANCE
Albion Rovers Football Club considers all forms of discriminatory behaviour as
unacceptable, and is concerned with ensuring individuals feel able to raise any grievance or
complaint related to such behaviour without fear of being penalised for doing so.

Appropriate action will be taken against any player, match-day fan, staff, Board member,
participant in outreach programmes and other people engaged with the club’s activities who
violate the Club’s Equality & Diversity Policy.

Any person who believes that they have been treated in a way that they consider to be in
breach of this policy by a player, match-day fan, member of staff, Board member, participant
in outreach programmes (or other people engaged with the club’s activities) should, in the
first instance, complain directly to that person.

If this does not resolve the matter, or in the case of allegations of discriminatory
behaviour against Albion Rovers Football Club itself, the person may raise the matter
by emailing [email protected] or by writing directly to: Ben Kearney, Board
Member, Albion Rovers Football Club, The Reigart Stadium, Coatbridge, Main Street,
ML5 3RB.

Albion Rovers Football Club will investigate the complaint and appoint a person to do this.
The investigation will be conducted impartially, confidentially, and without avoidable delay.

Any person against whom a complaint has been made will be informed of what is alleged
and given the opportunity to present their side of the matter.
The parties in question will be notified of the outcome of the investigation, in writing, and this
will be reported to Albion Rovers Football Club. If the investigation reveals unacceptable
discriminatory behaviour on the part of a person or organisation.

Albion Rovers Football Club may impose sanctions on that person or organisation in line
with its policies. Sanctions may range from a written reminder concerning future conduct
extending to temporary or permanent expulsion from Albion Rovers Football Club activities.

In deciding what sanction is appropriate in a particular case the Board will consider the
severity of the matter and take into account any mitigating circumstances.

Where the breach of the Equality and Diversity Policy is by way of harassment, victimisation
or discrimination and amount to a criminal offence, the appropriate authority will be informed.

In the event that an individual or organisation associated with Albion Rovers Football Club is
subject to allegations of unlawful discrimination in a court or tribunal, Albion Rovers Football
Club will co-operate fully with any investigation carried out by the relevant lawful authorities
and, subject to the outcome, may consider taking action as above in relation to the matter
concerned.

Appendix A – Legal Notes