ROVERS have moved to clarify the situation surrounding the spot-checks being carried out on tickets at home matches after criticism from some supporters.

The move centres around adults attending games in the Family Stand without children, something the club wants to prevent.

Children under the age of eight were able to receive a free season ticket when bought alongside a paying adult, but should the child not attend a game then the adult would need to be relocated to a different area of the ground.

Checks ahead of the home games against Plymouth and Portsmouth were criticised by some Rovers fans who said that, particularly at night matches when many youngsters aren’t at games, that adult fans should still be able to sit in their designated seat rather than be moved.

Rovers have now said the rule will be relaxed for evening matches but maintain they ‘have a duty of care to those supporters who are paying full price for their tickets’ and have to ‘ensure adult/child ratios meet the criteria set out in our ticketing policies’.

But the club say that no supporter has been refused entry ‘without good reason’ and are grateful for the feedback received.

In a statement released to the Lancashire Telegraph, a Rovers spokesperson said: “In relation to the Family Stand, when an adult and an accompanying child have bought the appropriate tickets, they have gained entry into the stadium in all cases.

“However, if this is not the case, their details have been taken and the steward has discussed where the policy has not been followed and advice given as to what actions are required to remedy the matter.

“The club recognise that many children will not be present at evening matches and this is taken into account when spot-checks are being made on those occasions.

“We are always mindful of our safeguarding obligations and, in addition, for the safety of all minors in this area, we have to ensure that we are adhering to the policy that may have attracted many supporters to purchase tickets in that area initially.

“We have not refused entry to any supporter in this area without good reason and will continue to ensure policies are observed and working as they should be.

“We are grateful for the feedback we have received and will work with the supporters to find a solution should our findings suggest there is a problem in this area.

“The club have been making spot-checks in all areas of the ground on matchdays, having been made aware of instances where tickets are being misused, which was highlighted to supporters in a website article dated October 9.

“We have a duty of care to those supporters who are paying full price for their tickets and to ensure adult/child ratios meet the criteria set out in our ticketing policies.

“Any supporter not in receipt of the correct ticket has been asked to return to the ticket office for an upgrade.”

Rovers have averaged more than 10,000 home fans at each of their seven League One fixtures having sold in the region of 8,000 season tickets.