Security and decisions

Steve231 · Post by **Steve231** » 24 Feb 2014, 20:38

I've managed to withhold my anger an not come on here for the previous 2 days but today I've sat at work trying to justify why I spend x amount on going to Plainmoor every home game as well as travelling up and down the country occasionally at great expense.

It's not just the fact it's dire entertainment, the fact that were pretty much destined for non league again. There's a million and one things that makes a person question why you back your club through thick an thin, however the biggest one of all came to me on Saturday when apparently web the club turned on me and a few mates.

I'm 22, I've been going Plainmoor since I was in primary school as have a group of about 5 of my mates, as stated above we go every home game and already this calendar year have travelled to AFC Wimbledon, Oxford and Portsmouth to support this dire team (granted Portsmouth was worth it). Some people may have seen a group of us stopped in the popside just before kick off on Saturday and told to stand down by the family stand... This is because one of the lads we were with is classed as "high risk" or some such rubbish.

Apparently during the Exeter game earlier this season, one of the lads we were with was with a group of people by the away end antagonising the Exeter fans. Ie hand gestures and chanting... According to the "response team" member explaining to us this had angered an Exeter fan so much that they had threatened to stab a steward. So who's to be perpetrated? The "high risk" fan giving the V's in a local derby? Or the Exeter fan threatening I stab a steward?

Because of the lads association with this game he's been told he can't stand to the left of the popside steps anymore as a precaution for the upcoming game against "nasty Newport".

So, with the greatest respect I suggested that maybe he be asked to not stand near the away end when Newport were down? I was subsequently told that he and now the rest of us, myself included needed to get used to standing by the family stand and that because I'm a "gobshite" questioning their decision that I too was now banished to the family side end of the pop... Now I don't know off hand the standard laws to football grounds but surely you're either allowed in or you're not allowed in. But who am I to argue? I'm expected to rock up, pay near enough 20 quid to get in and then leave one of our mates to stand on his own because he sang a chant and gave a gesture at a local derby.

So myself and 4 others who have been on the pop or years were given the choice to stand at the very far end or to leave an attempt to get a refund at reception. Due to a lack of trust to the charming security gent who had assured me "that they can do it because they wanted to", I didn't want to stroll out and most probably not get any response from reception and consequently be out of pocket and out of mind. We went and stood where we were told like a bunch of school boys and were consequently babysat by 2 of the response team and watched by 4 stewards on the gate.

Now I don't want to knock the majority of stewards, I've worn the jacket myself and actually get on well with the majority who all have a laugh and a sense of humour. Unfortunately as always there are the few who clearly thrive on the badge.

So I look back on saturday, there was an empty away end, even I we wanted to taunt fans there weren't any there to taunt. We weren't even allowed to stand in the middle where we have for years. I hear the atmosphere was below par? Well hello United, you give us nothing to shout about in the first place and have now prevented from standing where the atmosphere normally is anyway.

The only thought in my head is that maybe if Rob Stanley was present someone may have been able to make a more level headed decision and that maybe it could be down to his absence. He's a nice bloke, I have chatted with him before and I wish him a speedy recovery.

At About 20 minutes in one of the head stewards came down and told us next game we could move back to the middle apparently, whether this is relayed and we can tomorrow God only knows but this suggests maybe they actually realised they were wrong? Possibly, who knows? I we can stand there tomorrow then why not on Saturday?

I have no idea what I hope to achieve with writing this other than maybe others may see how ridiculous this is. Thankfully the way it going next season we won't have many if any away fans to even offer directions to let alone any form of banter from the popside. I'm quickly losing the ability to defend my reasoning to pay to visit this shambles.

Post by **Colorado Gull** » 24 Feb 2014, 20:52

I know exactly what you're talking about because I saw your group being bombarded around like little school kids at school. I even went over to two of you that I know to see what was going on. I don't want to mention any names because, but I know for a fact that one of the lads who were treated like this on Saturday, has been to Afghanistan twice and fought for our country. For the stewards and the response team to treat you lot like kids at school, who looked like that you needed to ask them to go to the toilet when there was going to be no trouble whatsoever, is quite frankly a disgrace. I can only hope you'll be back in the middle of the Popside where you belong.

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 24 Feb 2014, 21:10

Steve - when I went through the Pop Side turnstile at my customary 2.57 pm, I did notice a group of stewards talking to a group of lads who didn't look as if they were trouble makers and I wondered what was going on. Obviously, we only have your version of events on here and obviously exchanges between fans at local derbies get, shall we say, over-heated.

If your version of events is 100% correct, I would suggest that you contact Andrew Candy for a bit of common sense to prevail and ask that you and your mates be allowed to stand in the middle of the Pop Side where you usually stand. Maybe Andy can arrange for you and your mates to have a quiet chat with the head steward?

As for your hand-gesturing mate, I suggest you leave him at home for the Newport match or tie his hands behind his back. Again, if your version of events is correct and I've no reason to think otherwise, this is stewarding and 'security' over the top. I have watched the stewards and 99% of them do what they are there to do sensibly with no fuss - just a quiet word here and there where necessary. But there are the one or two who seem to enjoy being heavy handed. Anyway, best of luck sorting it out.

Gullscorer · Post by **Gullscorer** » 24 Feb 2014, 21:10

Whatever the rights and wrongs of your encounter with the stewards on Saturday, the question must be asked: what gives you the right to taunt opposing supporters, or for that matter anybody else? It's tantamount to stirring up trouble, and I'm not surprised the stewards regarded the bunch of you with misgivings, and your declared attitude would have done nothing to change their opinions.

Next time, try to behave as real supporters should and support your own team, and don't waste energy taunting others simply because they support an opposing team. And if it was them who started the taunting, then it was juvenile and immature of you to rise to the bait. Try behaving properly in future and perhaps the stewards will one day begin to look upon you as responsible adults.

The fact that one or two of the stewards were behaving like little Hitlers was no excuse. Instead of criticising others, look in the mirror and try to improve your own characters.. And if you think I'm rushing to judgement too quickly here without knowing all the facts, then I apologise, but I can only proceed on the facts as presented and your attitudes as described in your post..

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 24 Feb 2014, 21:20

Gullscorer wrote:Whatever the rights and wrongs of your encounter with the stewards on Saturday, the question must be asked: what gives you the right to taunt opposing supporters, or for that matter anybody else? It's tantamount to stirring up trouble, and I'm not surprised the stewards regarded the bunch of you with misgivings, and your declared attitude would have done nothing to change their opinions.

Next time, try to behave as real supporters should and support your own team, and don't waste energy taunting others simply because they support an opposing team. And if it was them who started the taunting, then it was juvenile and immature of you to rise to the bait. Try behaving properly in future and perhaps the stewards will one day begin to look upon you as responsible adults.

The fact that one or two of the stewards were behaving like little Hitlers was no excuse. Instead of criticising others, look in the mirror and try to improve your own characters..

Aw - come on, Gullscorer - that's a little harsh. When you were 22, didn't you get involved in banter and chanting with opposing fans? I know I did ..... mind you, it was all good natured as we got as good as we gave. We don't know the extent of the taunting of course, but surely all that was needed was a bit of common sense and a warning to 'cool it' ?

Post by **Colorado Gull** » 24 Feb 2014, 21:23

I'm sorry I think we're looking at it the wrong way here because of what I saw, heard and now read seems to me that our fans were treated terribly. Alright so one or two or whatever may have got overheated against Exeter. And? Did they do anything wrong? No, they probably acted the same way as everyone else around them, hand gesturing and shouting abuse. It was a derby game and we were terrible, who can blame anyone, I was very irate, shouted, swore and gave the hand gestures, that's what football is about sometimes with the fans, you see it at least once every game that's on sky when the camera's are on the fans. To say that someone shouldn't come to football because of giving the V's or to say the stewards didn't go over the top by putting them into the corner of the Popside against Accrington Stanley, is ridiculous.

Steve231 · Post by **Steve231** » 24 Feb 2014, 21:45

Cheers for all the responses and thoughts, even to the odd comment that seems to have missed most of the points I was making. Of course my version of events is what I know about the person in question and what the allegations were, I think on this occasion it maybe a case of being tarnished with the same brush. I'm also going on what the steward said to me on Saturday. Once again I'd like to reiterate 95% of stewards are human and make a laugh. Also I appreciate whilst some are down right ignorant and arrogant that there is the act they are following orders. The "we're doing it because we can" response is the one that angers me the most. Id also like to relay that I wasn't actually doing any of the gestures during the Exeter game as i was stood in the middle but I'll hold my hands up and admit I've done it before. In fact on this occasion I made the decision to stay away from the Exeter end because I still hurt from the absolute tonne off egg on my face and the sheer devastation of that play off semi final and to be honest I actually hate Exeter for that day. However... It's football, fans taunt fans, if you're stood singing "you're not singing anymore" then you're tormenting opposition fans so where is the line drawn between, banter, atmosphere and hooliganism that warrants being banished to the furthest corner of the ground. I'd suggest if you've done something worth punishment then you'd have been banned already?

That's an interesting question I haven't thought of before... Where is that line. You score in the last minute and celebrate and wave to away fans that are flocking out, is that inciting trouble? Is that what some Torquay fans would consider a waste of time? I appreciate there will always be the and that come on here and that go to the game and simply wish that we clap the players on, give them 100% backing regardless of whether they play well or not and simply clap them off again until the next time. There's got to be an element fun and banter between opposing fans, footballs built on rivalry is it not? Why do people look forward to the big crows and the the big games? I'd suggest its for the atmosphere. One thing that we desperately lack at the moment.

Post by **Dave** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:22

Hi Steve, was talking to your group after the match in boots and laces with my mate, was going to put this on here myself but thought better of it, totally stupid behaviour from the stewards, caused a problem, where, there was no problem. When there's match between two local rivals, yep your going get some banter and a few gestures, done it myself in the past , believe one of the stewards was banging on about being ex-military, what in gods name has that got to do with crowd control( and there wasn't any to control Saturday)

I know you are the lads who often get the atmosphere going at match's, if anyone wants to know why it was so flat Saturday, read the opening post.

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:24

Gullscorer - are you actually for real. You are seriously a total idiot. Were these people causing any trouble at the game on Saturday? It appears not and was witnessed by other supporters. Having paid their entrance money they should have been able to stand where they wanted.
One supporter had previously given a V sign to an Exeter supporter. God almighty have you ever been to a match involving Liverpool or Everton supporters.
The capacity for any trouble at the Accrington game was totally zero. Give some people a uniform and they feel the need to act like the gestapo.
These supporters were treated shamefully.
Lets face it 90% of the stewards have not got a brain cell to rub together.
When I was walking into Bristows Bench on Saturday there was a disabled bloke on a mobility scooter waiting with an able bodied companion, waiting to access the section for disabled supporters at the front of the ramp.
The pair of gormless jerk offs in green jacket's ignored the bloke on the scooter didn't speak to him and generally gave the impression that they though the bloke didn't exist.
Rather than making him feel welcome they ignored him and wouldn't let him enter the disabled section. After about five minutes of doing nothing the pair of numptys eventually spoke to another steward in an orange jacket.
He also ignored the disabled supporter but eventually went off into the disabled section with the supporters abled bodied friend.
I could scarcely believe what I was watching. I then talked to the disabled supporter for a few minutes - nice bloke, until his friend came back and he entered the disabled section on his scooter. Not one of the stewards could be arsed to acknowledge the supporter, speak to him, wish him a good afternoon - just treated him like a piece of shit on their shoes.
It's the same when you go in the ground. Is it really necessary for middle aged or elderly female supporters to have to show the contents of their handbags. It is ridiculous.

taunton_gull · Post by **taunton_gull** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:32

I can confirm on two occasions this season I have had a less than welcoming experience with an overzealous female steward on the pop - when I asked why I needed to turn out my pockets I was informed 'that's what happens when your lot bring in flares.' Nothing more to say!

Post by **SuperNickyWroe** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:34

taunton_gull wrote:I can confirm on two occasions this season I have had a less than welcoming experience with an overzealous female steward on the pop - when I asked why I needed to turn out my pockets I was informed 'that's what happens when your lot bring in flares.' Nothing more to say!

well stop being naughty taunton me old cocker and leave the flares at home.

taunton_gull · Post by **taunton_gull** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:35

SuperNickyWroe wrote: well stop being naughty taunton me old cocker and leave the flares at home.

More chance of me wearing flares!

Post by **SuperNickyWroe** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:36

Gullscorer wrote:Whatever the rights and wrongs of your encounter with the stewards on Saturday, the question must be asked: what gives you the right to taunt opposing supporters, or for that matter anybody else? It's tantamount to stirring up trouble, and I'm not surprised the stewards regarded the bunch of you with misgivings, and your declared attitude would have done nothing to change their opinions.

Next time, try to behave as real supporters should and support your own team, and don't waste energy taunting others simply because they support an opposing team. And if it was them who started the taunting, then it was juvenile and immature of you to rise to the bait. Try behaving properly in future and perhaps the stewards will one day begin to look upon you as responsible adults.

The fact that one or two of the stewards were behaving like little Hitlers was no excuse. Instead of criticising others, look in the mirror and try to improve your own characters.. And if you think I'm rushing to judgement too quickly here without knowing all the facts, then I apologise, but I can only proceed on the facts as presented and your attitudes as described in your post..

gullscorer is talking wet again.

steve231, dont let the nerks get you down.

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:36

taunton gull - that would actually be funny if it wasn't true. These people are complete idiots.

Post by **SuperNickyWroe** » 24 Feb 2014, 22:37

taunton_gull wrote: More chance of me wearing flares!

get off our forum you hippy.

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