Glenavon FC's Spirit of 2014 Supporters Club has announced it will boycott the Mid-Ulster Cup fixture against Portadown FC at Shamrock Park on September 1, citing the £15 adult ticket price as excessive. The group stated they understand adult admission for the match has been set at £15, the highest price they can recall for this competition, and confirmed they will not attend as a supporters club.

Why are Glenavon fans protesting the ticket cost?

The Spirit of 2014 Glenavon Supporters Club described itself as having a loyal core that follows the team throughout the season and noted this fixture traditionally attracts a strong travelling crowd. They contrasted the £15 charge for the Portadown game with £10 adult admission for other first-round Mid-Ulster Cup fixtures on the same date, calling the increase unjustified for a cup match.

What is the current situation for Portadown FC?

Portadown FC sits 11th in the Northern Ireland Premiership with 0 points from 4 games, having recorded 0 wins, 0 draws and 4 losses, with a recent form of LLLL. The team has scored just 2 goals this season while conceding 8, leaving them 10 points behind league leaders Coleraine FC. Their next fixture is a home game against Carrick Rangers on December 19, 2026. For more on their season, see the standings and recent stats.

How did Portadown FC respond to the criticism?

Portadown FC was approached for comment by NorthernIrelandWorld but did not provide a response at the time of publication. The club has not publicly addressed the supporters' concerns regarding the ticket pricing for the Mid-Ulster Cup encounter.

What does this mean for the match atmosphere?

With the organised supporters' group opting out, the usual vocal presence from the Lurgan Blues end at Shamrock Park is expected to be significantly reduced. The Spirit of 2014 emphasised their history of consistent away support, making their absence a notable factor for the fixture's atmosphere.

The match remains scheduled for September 1 at Shamrock Park as a Mid-Ulster Cup first-round tie between the two Portadown-based rivals. Fans interested in the squad can check the squad page, and those planning to attend future games should review the fixtures.