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Post by smj1 on Feb 16, 2009 10:19:39 GMT 1
Thanks for the question. I was cc'd in on an email from the HTSA (Marcus Middleton) on Sunday. He has asked the question of Ann Hough, whom I am sure will look into it and reply accordingly. All in all not a bad weekend  regards Sean |
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Post by mids on Feb 22, 2009 11:15:10 GMT 1
Thank you for your recent email following the above match and I apologise for the delay in responding.
Planning for this fixture was very in depth and took place over a long period of time. It involved the Football Club, the Stadium Company, the Safety Team and West Yorkshire Police. Part of the process included a review of the match day strategies used at this fixture last season. We also took into account several additional factors including the increase in the number of season ticket holders.
Irrespective of the opinions expressed by some of our supporters, it was considered by all parties responsible that it would be unsafe to hold back 4000 supporters in the South Stand due to the layout of the stadium and crowd dynamics when exiting the Stadium site. Last season a cordon of Police Officers was placed across the bottom of Stadium Way, adjacent to the south end of the Direct Golf Stand which restricted the egress of home supporters via the St Andrew’s car park and the Direct Golf Stand until the away supporters had left the site and as you are probably aware, we came under extreme criticism from home supporters for using this tactic.
Please be assured that the main consideration when planning for these events is the safety of all the spectators attending the event. Damage to the Stadium property was not considered, and never has been, a reason for not holding back away fans.
This season, we took on board those criticisms and, as previously stated, after lengthy meetings, it was agreed that we would allow both sets of supporters to exit the south end of the ground simultaneously, albeit with extra stewarding and Police presence. The Club also actively promoted the advice to our home supporters that, due to a near capacity crowd, the number of fans exiting the site would be substantial and it would be in their best interests to wait in their seats for approximately 15 or so minutes or leave via the north end of the ground. To some extent, supporters have a responsibility for their own personal safety and are capable of assessing the risks should they wish to ignore the Club’s advice.
Throughout the whole event, there were only three arrests on the stadium site (two of which were alcohol related and one for public disorder). Furthermore, there were only four ejections at the match compared to 37 last season. Therefore, the actual occurrence of disorder was significantly reduced by the policing and stewarding arrangements put in place. There were no outbreaks of public disorder during the exiting of fans at the south end of the site. There was verbal banter between the two sets of fans, which you would expect at a game of this nature. Whilst it was extremely busy, it took only 20 minutes to clear the area before the away supporter coaches could then be released.
I was present during the exiting of the fans at the south end of the ground and observed the area you refer to. Also present were officials from the Football Association and the Football Licensing Authority. Both these associations considered the policies we employed to be safe and fit for purpose.
In conclusion, the stadium was built and is licensed to season in excess of 24000 spectators at a sporting event. At times when concerts have been held at the stadium we have safely accommodated spectators in excess of 40000. Whilst we can plan for the safe exiting of these fans we cannot plan for the apprehension some fans may personally feel when finding themselves in large crowds which are moving at the same time.
I thank you for your comments but please be assured that the safety of all our supporters attending at the stadium is always paramount in our planning.
Kindest regards,
Ann
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Post by Rob in t'Hood on Feb 22, 2009 11:32:30 GMT 1
So basically to summarize:
We told you to stop back and wait for the Yids to leave and if you didn't take that advise then you're all old enough to make your own decisions and what will be will be.....
Isn't that what it says? If that's the case then I would discourage anyone allowing their teenage children to visit the stadium without the company of adults as you now have to listen to the tannoys for advise about whether if's safe to leave or not and if you miss that announcement then TOUGH.
What a complete joke - they kacked their pants with the thoughts of holding back the knuckledraggers - that in itself is enough to hold them back!
So the club just thought there was gentle banter - GET IN THE REAL world. Yids were walking through the crowds "offering" anyone who wanted it - including children. I saw people getting spit on by the scummy barstewards - and I guess the fact that some fans thought the safest way to get out was walking on that steep banking - that was THEIR choice right? and had they had an accident - Towns statement would be "we told you to stop behind - it's YOUR fault" (BREATHE.......)
JOKE
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Post by megastar1 on Feb 22, 2009 11:40:53 GMT 1
not that it's likely to happen - after the performance I witnessed at Crewe yesterday! - but assuming we made the playoffs this season, and played Leeds at home in an evening 2nd leg decider could Ann Hough tell me what her masterplan would be! Let's all shake hands in the St Andrews car park after one of our team's exit and wish our beloved opponents the best for the Wembley final. GET IN THE REAL WORLD MS HOUGH - you were VERY LUCKY THIS TIME (THANKFULLY) but may not be so lucky in future. The arrogance of your response staggers me. One thing I hate is the end justifies the means argument that she uses. Take constructive criticism on board and look again at the options.
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Post by stevvy on Feb 22, 2009 11:50:44 GMT 1
if they really wanted us to stay behind for a bit they could have said so more than once...........i wasnt even aware they'd asked us to,because i wasnt in the ground when it was announced pre match.......and it wasnt announced again-if they ask us to stay behind for 10mins or whatever (or at least those exiting at that end of the ground anyway) then as long as leeds fans are made to stay in their seats for 10-15mins or whatever while we leave at bellend road,fair enough,but why keep us in for so long at bellend road and let the home fans hang around waiting for us?should keep home fans back for 15mins at both grounds while the away fans go-by keepin the away fans in,you dont stop the problem of home fans waiting for them-be alot easier to get the away fans at both grounds on the coaches/away from the ground before letting the home fans out,cos its a helluva lot easier and quicker to get rid of 2-4k away fans than 20+ plus home fans (esp at bellend road where they just hang around waiting for you anyway)
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Post by Scissett Terrier! on Feb 22, 2009 11:53:21 GMT 1
stevvy i didnt hear them ask even once.
as for the reponse as i said on the other thread their argument for not allowing town fans to have the south stand is now well and truly over!
lets have it next season please SMJ1
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Post by stevvy on Feb 22, 2009 11:55:16 GMT 1
unsure as to when you got in and unsure as to when they announced it,but think i got in at around 11.50am(ish) and didnt hear anything about us being asked to stay behind-i went out at the north end of the ground so it didnt affect me,but they needed to announce it more than once
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