Forest Green Rovers have apologised after Remembrance Day was not marked at a recent home fixture, saying the omission resulted from a planning mistake rather than any change in the club’s position.
The explanation was given by chief executive officer Dane Vince after discussions with the club’s Fan Advisory Board. The fixture affected was the earlier home game against Harrogate Town, played before Forest Green’s FA Cup match at Luton Town.
Why the tribute was missed
According to Vince, the club uses a large matchday planning sheet to organise activities and special events throughout the season. The schedule includes occasions such as Remembrance, Non-League Day and Veganuary.
However, after the FA Cup draw, the club focused on the planned Remembrance tribute at Luton’s ground. That meant it overlooked the chance to hold a similar commemoration at The New Lawn during the Harrogate fixture.
“The lack of Remembrance at a home game is simply down to a human error/mistake on the club.”
Vince also acknowledged that Forest Green had a sizable number of matches in a short period, including the FA Cup replay, but said that did not excuse the failure to organise the tribute properly.
“It didn’t help that we had a sizable number of games in a small time frame (including the FA Cup replay) beforehand; albeit that isn’t an excuse, we should have got this right.”
Club confirms future action
The issue was raised at a meeting of the Fan Advisory Board. Vince confirmed that Forest Green would contact the Royal British Legion for advice on future commemorations, with the aim of ensuring suitable opportunities are identified and planned in advance.
He also said the club’s matchday planning sheet would be reviewed at a future Fan Advisory Board meeting scheduled for June or July. Remembrance and other potential matchday activities are expected to be included in that review.
Forest Green did take part in a Remembrance tribute before the FA Cup fixture at Luton on Saturday. Vince stressed that the missed home commemoration did not signal any change in the club’s support for Remembrance or the Royal British Legion.
“This was a simple error/mistake,”
The club’s clarification follows discussion with supporters through the Fan Advisory Board and sets out the steps it says will be taken to avoid a repeat at future home fixtures.
