Portadown Football Club has issued lifetime bans to several individuals following post-match disorder at Shamrock Park. The club confirmed the action in a statement released this week after CCTV footage identified those involved in attempts to force exits during the closing stages of the recent fixture against Coleraine.
A section of young teenagers caused significant trouble during the final minutes of the match. Videos of the incident, which circulated on social media over the weekend, showed individuals trespassing onto the training pitch and attempting to force their way out through stadium gates. In response, stewards closed the gates 20 minutes before the final whistle to prevent supporters from leaving and to avoid potential clashes outside the ground. The club has taken a firm stance against this behavior. "We make no apology whatsoever for the decision that was taken," Portadown Football Club said.
The decision was made purely for safety reasons, though the club acknowledged the inconvenience it caused. "We fully appreciate that the decision to close the gates caused inconvenience and frustration for supporters who wanted to leave before the final whistle." the statement added. Police later praised the Head Steward for his handling of the volatile situation.
The club has appealed directly to parents and guardians to speak with their children about the seriousness of their actions. Officials emphasized that the stewards at Shamrock Park are volunteers and supporters themselves, and they should not be abused or confronted. The statement was clear that there is no place at the ground for those intending to cause trouble. The identified individuals will face bans from attending future matches at Shamrock Park.
This off-field issue compounds a difficult start to the season on the pitch. Portadown currently sits 11th in the Premiership with 0 points from 4 games, having lost all four. Their recent form reads LLLL, with 2 goals scored and 8 conceded for a -6 goal difference. They are already 10 points behind league leaders Coleraine FC, their opponents in the match that sparked the disorder.
The club's statement also thanked stewards and medical staff for their swift response to a serious medical incident involving a Coleraine supporter during the first half. Portadown expressed concern for the supporter's recovery and praised all those who assisted at the scene. This act of care stood in stark contrast to the disorder that followed later in the game.
Attention now turns to the next opportunity for the Portadown faithful to support their team in a positive environment. The club's next fixture is a home match against Carrick Rangers on December 19, 2026. Carrick currently sits 2nd in the table, presenting another tough challenge. Fans can find details for this and all upcoming games on our fixtures page. The club will be hoping for a united and peaceful show of support as they seek their first points of the campaign.
