HULL FC fear scrapping cash turnstiles at the KC Stadium will have a negative impact on Super League crowds.
Fans have been told they will have to buy tickets in advance of matches this season because manned turnstiles are being scrapped.
The Stadium Management Company (SMC), which operates the KC, has introduced unmanned turnstiles for the 2015 season. Fans must buy tickets in advance and scan them on the gate.
In a statement today, Hull FC stressed they had not been involved in taking the decision. Now, they are hoping to find a resolution which will mean fans will still be able to walk up and buy tickets on the day.
The statement released this afternoon reads: "The club would like to stress that this was not a Hull FC decision and not one we actively support, but we must work with the Stadium Management Company's ground team to ensure the process and transition is as smooth as possible to ensure our fans are not affected.
"We have made it known to the Stadium Management Company that this policy will be difficult for all rugby fans attending games at the KC Stadium.
"We are aware of the effect this could have on our supporters, away fans and our overarching strategy to improve attendances, the match day experience and fan engagement at the KC Stadium.
"However, this will only focus us to work even harder to improve all these areas and come up with solutions to address the repercussions of this decision."
The club will be introducing a new ticket pricing structure, which will include a reduction for fans buying tickets in advance.
FC have also asked the SMC for permission to use kiosks outside the stadium to sell unreserved tickets before games, using the club's own staff.
The statement continues: "We also hope to adopt a similar strategy outside the North Stand so we can also make entry to the stadium as easy as possible for away supporters after a long journey to Hull.
"The club are strongly advising supporters to buy their tickets in advance for the next few matches and arrive earlier than normal at the turnstile as everyone gets used to the new entry system, hopefully limiting the effect it will have on Hull FC match days."
A small number of cash turnstiles will be open on Sunday for the derby friendly. However, under the SMC plan no cash turnstiles will operate for home games during the 2015 Super League season.
Mark Dobson, 36, from Sutton Park is a Hull FC season ticket holder.
He said: "Rugby League has a history of allowing fans to buy their tickets at the turnstiles and I know a lot of people who aren't season ticket holders who don't decide until the day whether or not they will buy a ticket.
"This new system is putting us at risk of losing this fan base and that will be bad news for rugby in Hull."
Speaking to the Mail, a spokesperson for Hull FC said preventing fans from walking up and paying on the day could be a "death knell" to sports such as rugby league.
The spokesperson said: "We understand the requirement to move with the times and have an unmanned system in the stadium, but at the same time rugby league has a long-standing tradition of fans walking up to the game and paying on the gate.
"Surely having a back-up system like the one in operation on Sunday for the derby, whereby there are some manned turnstiles open, would be beneficial to all parties.
"The rugby club wants to work with the SMC to find a solution to this problem. We feel the back-up system in operation for the derby would be best kept for the remainder of the Super League season.
"Unmanned turnstiles do work for all-ticket sell-out crowds, but for any sport outside of Premier League football it is a death knell to British sport if you cannot choose on the day of a game to walk up to the stadium and watch."
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