Scarborough Fans

[Guest]

Firstly I would like to apologise to anyone who felt that the treatment of the Scarborough fans was unreasonable yesterday.

It was my intention to move the fans into the shed much earlier but unfortunately due to one individual and his two friends this was delayed. He, despite being warned, continued to use foul and abusive language directed at our supporters and officials alike. I finally went to speak to him in the middle of the downpour, by which time the Scarborough supporters were largly fed up with the afternoon and were all agitated with a steward who was basically doing his job. I quickly defused the situation moving the steward to another location although I stress he was acting to stop foul and abusive language which is an arrestable offence within a football ground. The majority of the Scarborough fans accepted this and the tension lifted however the individual was still being aggresive so the moving of the fans was delayed until I was satisfied there was no threat. The incident with the camera I cannot comment on as I arrived after the incident but I checked the individuals camera when he offered me the chance and there were no photo's of any staff on it.

The difficulty is compounded by the problems with the closure of the stand as we do have to consider overcrowding in the covered areas when the heavens open and also we are legally obliged to keep walkways in front of the main stand clear as they are fire exit routes so although it is a covered area we cannot allow spectators to stand in there. There were a large number of seats still available which I offered to several of our supporters but they declined the offer.

I note that on a thread sometime ago the stewards were critisized for moving away supporters into the Stonebridge covered area so it really is a thankless job.

I would also point out that a number of Scarborough's elderly supporters did take up our usual offer of sitting in the stand but if some were unaware of this arrangement I apologise and will ensure in future away fans are made aware.

Finally I would like to thank all of the Gravesend supporters for your excellent support this season and I appreciate your tolerance whilst the stand is closed a situation that I hope will be addressed in some form very soon.

[jc]

A well-reasoned response. Of course, what's done is done, and there isn't a lot we can do for the Scarborough fans now except apologize, but as the weeks go by and the club as a whole gets to know the full range of limitations and problems caused by the closure of the Northfleet end, such things hopefully won't happen again.

 

One thing I will say is that, in the stewards' defence, we have been extremely unlucky with the weather for the last two Saturday home games. If you think about it, you would probably only expect a couple of home games a season to be affected by heavy rain during the match, but now we've had it twice in two Saturdays, and both not long after the Northfleet end was closed. Obviously, that doesn't condone the alleged bad treatment by the stewards of their fans on other issues, as outlined on other threads.

[Hirsty]

Thanks for the explanation Chris.......always good to hear both sides.

 

Cheers,

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Why weren't all the other Scarborough Supporters placed undercover.......And this individual placed in a Police Van?

[Hempstead Gaz]

As a matter of goodwill, perhaps Brian could write to the Scarborough Chairman, offering free seating for those away fans making the trip next season. It would probably only cost the club about £75 - but what price is the good PR and being seen to be doing something to redress the situation.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Many may not want to sit down, CG - so perhaps a reduction on the entry charge for away fans for next seasons game, rather than free seating?

[Hempstead Gaz]

That's a point Alan, but at least a free seat would guarantee watching the game in the dry and comfort. There would obviously be no "interaction " problems, as they wolud be quite close to their own mananager/directors, who would take a very dim view of any trouble. As I saw it, Scarborough appear to have a really decent set of fans.

[Hempstead Gaz]

One thing that occurred to me, as I deal with Health & Safety issues at work. The stewards have a duty of care to look after the welfare of the people they are paid to look after.

If an away fan is injured or taken ill directly as a result of an action (or inaction) then I suspect a) the steward the Club Safety officer, c) the Club itself may have a vicarious liabilty.

Hypothetically, and thank God it didn't, what if a 75 year year old man was refused cover, got hypothermia then collapsed.

If it had been my Father, I would be in my solicitors office this morning, looking at any contraventions of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

Food for thought?

[Guest]

just one point they weren't at work so can't be covered under health and safety at work act 1974. Also has no one ever been to Championship club Gillingham who have a complete end for the away fans totally uncovered and no one gets moved into shelter there as they don't at most clubs.

Also do Scarborough fans not read or watch weather reports then? Some were only wearing shirts and they had apparently driven through 15 foot high snow drifts to get to us so my thinking is they were not really well prepared anyway.

[jc]

Quote:

Anonymous said:Also do Scarborough fans not read or watch weather reports then? Some were only wearing shirts and they had apparently driven through 15 foot high snow drifts to get to us so my thinking is they were not really well prepared anyway.

How sympathetic <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

no not really as no one ever really cares about our away supporters when they are stuck on an open terrace or have we forgotten that. How many times have we stood on an open terrace and stewards come over and said excuse me perhaps you would like to move to a covered area hold on I'll just move our supporters over. get real!!!

[jc]

But then I can't remember the last time Fleet away supporters were subject to a persistent deluge in a segregated open terrace - although, against Canvey this season, we were very lucky, since it started straight after the final whistle.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

One point about away support at our place compared to away support at Gillingham - there really is no comparison, as simple as that.

 

At Fleet, we were talking about 50 away fans on a terrace - at Gillingham, you're talking far more away supporters, so would be difficult to move on that score alone, let alone the fact that its all seater stadium, so making a move to covered accomodation all but impossible.

 

The point is taken regarding being prepared for bad weather, but I think the main complaint has been the delay in allowing the move, allied to the alleged customer unfriendly attitudes of the stewards. In any event, without having full wet weather clothing, I dont think the away fans could have protected themselves,given the strong wind that was blowing.