Statement from the Club

[Colin Zeal EFM]

It's been three days now since the Stockport game. Can we please have some kind of statement from the club about the six that got thrown out, whether they disapprove or not. I'd just like to know where the officials of St Albans stand on this matter.

[ESG]

sadly they dont stand

just sit on the fence....

[Northern Monkey]

Come on "officials" say what you have to say. No easy way is there pardon the 6 and get grief from pension central. Ban the 6 and get grief from everyone else. These guys though they can be boisterous are NOT, I.C.F. the whole ejection thing could have been avoided, for example why no PA annoncement to say sit down, for christs sake even we do that at CP when our riotous fans stand in front of the seats. Or are we going to start ejecting them like the "Big boys" please read as much sarcasm as you like but take the point.

[herts blue]

This is not a statement from the club and shouldn't be read as such as I'm in no position to give one. What I can do however is make two observations.

 

First, most of the club officials were, as indeed was I, on the opposite side of the ground and you couldn't see why people were being ejected. Without wanting to put words I their mouths, I'm guessing that this makes it difficult for them to comment on what happened and how fair it was?

 

Secondly, you have to understand the difference between non-league and Football League stewards. I may be generalising (but not by much in my experience), but non-league stewards tend to be volunteers there for the love of the club and have nothing to gain by being belligerent and throwing fans out for no reason at all. Football League clubs are increasingly use private security firms. These are either much more efficient, or - if I were being really cynical - they have to justify the contracts they are employed under. If no-one gets evicted, then why would the club need to renew the contract when it expires? They have to give the impression that they are not only doing a stirling job, but are indispensable. Payment by results if you like. I've seen some shocking examples over recent years, with Leyton Orient (though that had improved last time I was there) and Southend springing to mind in particular. It ain't fair but, in the end, what can you do?

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Well, Stockport's stewards were not a hired Security Firm - they are employed as staff of the club.

 

I'm more interested in what the club have to say about the "Stockport Six". And also whether they will back any complaint about how our fans were treated.

 

Maybe a statement from the Supporters Club too??

[Laz]

Regarding your first point, HB, they were on the opposite side of the ground at Aylesbury too, but had plenty to say about a certain incident that occured there. So what's the difference.

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Good point, Laz.

[Northern Monkey]

My point is that at our level common sense can prevail. Every game I hear a PA announcement " Would those people standing in front of the main stand please sit down" or words to that effect plus a reminder it is a ground reg. This announcement is not meant for EFM or anyone who stands behind the goal. I agree our stewards are our people and maybe thats why they get a certain respect. I seem to recall some nonsense last season where one of our stewards (acting unpaid) was subjected to foul and abusive language (and spat at??) by one of our notable supporters, result printed apology to the supporter and his family in the programme. and just in case there is any doubt the point I am making is.... with consideration the reasons(excuses?) given for the ejections are trivial and that ANYONE in those circumstances can become victims. And that our club is greater than that.

[herts blue]

They were only observations, and if you say the stewards were club employees, I'll take your word for it, though that's pretty rare at that level these days. Maybe they've picked up a few tricks from comrades around the division. All I'm saying is that I could see a lot more from ground level across the pitch at Aylesbury than I could half way up the stand at Stockport, and while I can't speak for anyone else, the away stand was pretty crowded, and I personally couldn't see or hear why individuals were being carted out from there (and we were having a pretty good look).

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Look, all I want is a statement from the club.

 

Thank you.

[Laz]

I get the opinion the club isn't really interested. They've probably formed an opinion: Costello was ejected, so he must have been causing trouble.", or whatever.

[mdetaylor]

in some instances 2 and 2 make 5

in some instance they don't

I hope someone from the home office thinking of allowing previous convictions to be given as evidence in court reads the above.

 

Slippery slope

 

Shot at dawn I would imagine

 

Or maybe comment should be reserved until the club does or does not make a statement (they may not be bothered)

 

 

[AFF]

Hi CZ.

 

Why so hasty? Surely, for 'the Officials' to make some sort of statement, they should look into the circumstances first. That means contact with "The Stockport 6" and contact with SCFC to obtain both sides of the story.

 

I am not talking about a major in-depth Inquiry, but it would be rash to make any detailed statement of criticism or otherwise of any of those involved without some first hand facts. Oh, by the way. In my view, if any Saints fan is ejected from any ground, the Officials should make enquiries to be aware of the circumstances.

 

Hi Hb.

 

So "most of the Club Officials, as indeed was I [you], were on the other side of the ground".

 

How did you get over there then? Was there any difficulty with the Stewards?

 

You weren't sitting anywhere near that Official who gets £50,000 a year to take the team sheet from The Duo to the referee one hour before kick-off were you? Or that Official who is on the small but perfectly formed Committee who deal with the matchday programme or that Official who ghost writes The Duo's Notes?

 

HB. Have you ever considered a career in the Civil Service?

 

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Hi AFF.

 

After the incident at Hendon there was a posting on here within 24 hours by Mr Gibson, so I'd have expected a similar degree of haste.

 

Point taken though.

[Webbo MFI]

Have you looked at the site today?

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Yes. I read the news about Sippetts, the news about Gould, read AFF's match report and Claire's Chit-Chat.

 

Why??

[GHA EFM]

webbo likes to check whether people realise there's more to www.sacfc.co.uk than just a message board, Zealondo.

[Colin Zeal EFM]

Right just read it. There was no headline on the Front Page - that's why I didn't spot it.

 

Presumably the two people he refers to are Costello and Thornsy. I happen to think it's more likely these two people were ejected because SCFC had been "tipped-off" before the game about potential trouble-makers.

 

Neither did anything wrong. Indeed, Thornsy was returning to his seat after half-time and a minute later he was pulled.

 

 

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

I didn't make half time! However I was sitting down with a load of youngsters away from any arguments that were still going on behind me, a steward walked away from the area where people were still moaning at them walked down over a couple of rows of people tapped me on the back ans asked for a word. I was then taken out and told I'd been spotted on CCTV (hence my data protection thing on the general board) being foul and abusive and ejected.

[SAINTS64MAD]

i can confirm what thornsy is saying. he was not being foul or abusive in anyway! i must admit when he went they were tapping me on the shoulder until they realisied it wanst me doin it.