Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 18th October 2026
Review Date: Annually
Approved By: Chairperson Benjamin Smith
1. Purpose
Wymondham Town United Football Club wants every match and activity to be welcoming, safe and enjoyable.
This Code sets out the behaviour expected of spectators supporting our youth teams, including parents, carers, relatives, friends and visiting supporters.
Children’s enjoyment, development and wellbeing must remain at the heart of the matchday experience.
2. Our Values
Spectators are expected to demonstrate:
Respect
Fair play
Inclusion
Kindness
Community
Positive support
Every spectator helps shape the environment in which children play and learn.
3. Positive Support
Spectators should:
Encourage players positively.
Applaud effort, teamwork and improvement.
Recognise good play from either team.
Accept that mistakes are part of learning.
Help children enjoy football without excessive pressure.
The result must never become more important than a child’s wellbeing.
4. Respect for Players
Spectators shall:
Treat all players respectfully.
Avoid shouting criticism or humiliating comments.
Never threaten or intimidate a child.
Avoid negative comparisons between players.
Respect differences in ability and development.
Children should feel confident to try, make mistakes and improve.
5. Respect for Match Officals
Spectators shall:
Respect referees and assistants.
Avoid arguing about decisions.
Never use abusive language or threatening gestures.
Avoid approaching officials confrontationally.
Remember that some officials are children or young people.
Concerns should be raised through an appropriate Club or competition channel.
6. Respect for Coaches and Volunteers
Spectators shall respect coaches, team managers and volunteers.
They should allow coaches to provide football instructions and avoid coaching from the touchline.
Questions or disagreements should be discussed calmly at an appropriate time, away from players.
Legitimate concerns may always be raised through the relevant reporting route.
7. Respect for Visiting Teams
Spectators shall welcome opposing players, coaches and supporters.
They must not:
Taunt or intimidate opponents.
Celebrate another player’s injury or distress.
Provoke arguments with visiting supporters.
Encourage hostility between teams.
Competitive football should remain respectful and enjoyable.
8. Discrimination
Discriminatory abuse, language and gestures are unacceptable.
This includes abuse relating to race, nationality, religion, sex, gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.
Spectators should report concerns promptly rather than confront someone where doing so could create further risk.
The Club may take protective action and refer incidents to the relevant football authorities.
9. Bullying and Harassment
Spectators must not bully, harass or deliberately humiliate anyone.
This includes:
Verbal abuse.
Threatening behaviour.
Targeted online abuse.
Spreading harmful rumours.
Encouraging others to intimidate someone.
Calling behaviour “banter” does not excuse harm.
10. Online Behaviour
Spectators shall use social media and messaging groups responsibly.
They must not:
Target players, officials or volunteers with abuse.
Publish discriminatory content.
Share children’s private information.
Circulate humiliating footage.
Organise harassment or retaliation.
This Code does not prevent honest complaints, safeguarding reports or lawful reporting of wrongdoing.
11. Photography and Video
Spectators must follow WTUFC’s photography arrangements and the rules of the venue or competition.
They shall:
Respect any restrictions communicated by organisers.
Avoid intrusive filming or photography.
Respect children’s privacy and wishes.
Avoid publishing identifying information that could put a child at risk.
Report inappropriate photography promptly.
Photography and filming are prohibited in changing rooms and toilets.
Attendance at a match does not automatically give permission to photograph or publish images of every child present.
12. Spectator Areas and Safety
Spectators shall:
Remain in designated viewing areas.
Keep a safe distance from the playing area.
Follow reasonable instructions from organisers.
Keep emergency routes, gates and entrances clear.
Respect barriers and safety signs.
Report hazards or damaged equipment.
Do not enter the playing area unless authorised or where immediate action is necessary to prevent serious harm.
Children must not climb on goals, fences or other unsafe structures.
13. Respect for Venues
WTUFC uses venues that may be owned or managed by other organisations.
Spectators shall:
Follow venue rules.
Use designated parking areas.
Avoid obstructing residents or neighbouring properties.
Leave pitches and viewing areas tidy.
Dispose of litter responsibly.
Respect changing facilities and restricted areas.
Permission to attend football does not provide access to every part of a venue.
14. Alcohol, Smoking and Substances
Spectators must follow venue rules concerning alcohol, smoking and vaping.
No one may behave in a way that endangers others through intoxication or substance misuse.
Adults responsible for children must remain capable of supervising them safely.
Smoking and vaping must be kept away from children and activity areas and comply with any wider venue restrictions.
15. Dogs
Dogs may only attend where permitted by the venue.
Where allowed, owners shall:
Keep dogs under control and on a lead.
Keep them away from playing areas.
Prevent distress or danger to others.
Clean up immediately.
Assistance-dog access shall be handled appropriately, with reasonable arrangements discussed where needed.
16. Safeguarding Concerns
Anyone worried about a child’s safety or an adult’s behaviour should report it promptly to the Club Welfare Officer or another appropriate safeguarding contact.
Club Welfare Officer: Shaun Peel
Welfare Email: welfare@wtufc.uk
Concerns may also be raised directly with Norfolk FA.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Do not investigate allegations yourself or confront the person concerned.
17. Supporting the Club
Spectators are welcome to support suitable Club events, fundraising and volunteering opportunities.
Such support is voluntary. A player’s fair treatment must not depend on their family donating, purchasing merchandise or volunteering.
Positive encouragement and respectful behaviour are valuable contributions in themselves.
18. Unacceptable Behaviour and Action
Unacceptable behaviour includes:
Abuse or threats.
Violence.
Bullying or harassment.
Discrimination.
Unsafe entry onto the pitch.
Deliberate property damage.
Disruptive intoxication.
Refusal to follow reasonable safety instructions.
Depending on the circumstances, action may include:
Guidance or a verbal warning.
A formal warning.
A request to leave.
Temporary restrictions on attendance.
Longer-term exclusion under applicable procedures.
Referral to venue operators, football authorities or police.
The Club shall act within its authority and coordinate with venue operators where necessary.
Formal sanctions shall be proportionate, with an appropriate opportunity to respond and appeal. Immediate protective action may be taken where safety requires it.
Where possible and safe, restrictions on an adult should allow their child to continue participating through alternative arrangements.
19. Commitment
Spectators attending WTUFC activities are expected to:
Follow this Code.
Respect all participants.
Support children positively.
Follow safeguarding and safety arrangements.
Help create a welcoming football community.
20. Review
This Code shall be reviewed annually and updated through the Club’s agreed approval process.
It should be read alongside WTUFC’s safeguarding arrangements, Anti-Bullying Policy and Parent & Guardian Code of Conduct.
Approved by Wymondham Town United Football Club
Date of Approval: 18th October 2026
Version: 1.0
Positive Support. Respect For Everyone. Enjoy The Game.
Together We Move. The Rebels.