Coleraine Football Club has found itself at the centre of a storm following a statement issued to a local newspaper, asserting that MLA Maurice Bradley is NOT barred from the Showgrounds despite what Mr Bradley was told on Saturday.
This claim has been met with significant pushback from Bradley, who alleges the club’s statement contradicts his recent experiences at the venue.
Bradley expressed his discontent following an incident on Saturday, where he claims he was explicitly told by Chief Steward Chris Gray that he was banned from entering the ground. “This throws their Chief Steward under a bus,” remarked Bradley, highlighting the discrepancy between the club’s public assertion and his personal encounter.
According to Bradley, the club communicated through a spokesperson to the Chronicle, denying any ban on his access. However, he noted that he had not been contacted by the newspaper regarding their report. In a bid to clarify the situation, Bradley stated he received an email from the club requesting a meeting. Due to prior commitments with constituency business, he expressed his intention to rearrange his schedule to accommodate the meeting.
In a detailed account, Bradley recounted how he was informed, in the presence of witnesses and two officers from the PSNI, that he was barred from the premises and had received a letter notifying him of this ban the previous Saturday. Despite presenting two different accreditation passes to Gray, including an IFA Council pass and a NIFL photographers pass, Bradley claims he was met with refusal.
“The groundswell of support which has been very humbling has set the club back to trying to cover their tracks on a situation of their own making,” he asserted. He expressed that the embarrassment and reputational damage caused by the incident cannot simply be brushed aside by a spokesperson’s excuse regarding overcrowding.
Bradley further elaborated on his experience, noting that he applied to access the Boardroom for a customary half-time beverage, which was denied. He stated, “I can accept overcrowding, no room, capacity etc., but to deny access pitchside was unforgivable.” He firmly believes that the treatment he received was not just a matter of policy but rather a targeted action against him, stating, “No other regular photographer was targeted, refused, asked for accreditation, or checked off a media list.”
The MLA concluded his remarks by expressing concern that the issue at hand extends beyond his individual experience, maintaining that the club’s actions were “embarrassing, targeted, disrespectful and childish.”
Coleraine FC has been approached for comment.