STOURPORT Swifts’ general manager John McDonald is worried his club will not be able to cope when Hereford’s supporters come to town next month.

The two clubs face each other at Walshes Meadow on Tuesday, August 11, for Hereford’s first away game in the Midland League Premier Division.

McDonald wants Swifts to reverse the fixture and plans to contact Worcestershire FA, the FA and West Mercia Police over his concerns.

Hereford supporters have shown they are willing to back the new Edgar Street outfit with nearly 2,000 fans making the short trip to Malvern Town for their first game earlier this month.

With Stourport 30 miles away from Hereford and the match taking place in the evening during the summer holidays, another large away following is expected.

“It’s going to cause all sorts of problems,” admitted McDonald, who is also Swifts’ treasurer.

“I’ve been quoted that Hereford will bring between 500 and 600 fans, which we can cope with, but I have since been told it could be at least 2,000.

“If that is the case, we won’t be able to cope. I have tried to reverse the fixture but Hereford cannot do that so we are left with potential problems.

“The ground is big enough to host a big crowd but we have staff away on holiday so have to import in other people.

“The consequences are bad and I’m going to call the Worcestershire FA, the FA and the police to cover our backs.”

McDonald added Stourport haven’t got the means to sell tickets and only average home crowds of around 100.

He added: “We had Kidderminster in a friendly recently and there were 300 people but we have never been in a situation like this before.

“Many years ago, the fire brigade put our capacity at 2,500 because it’s such a big ground with a lot of space around it.

“But we have had no advice from anybody about the possible consequences of 2,000 people turning up.”

The Swifts fixture takes place three days after Hereford open their league account with a home game against Nottingham side Dunkirk.

Hereford continue their pre-season programme at city neighbours Pegasus Juniors tomorrow (3pm).