Stewards in the Kop

[BanjoPie]

I'm sure it was an unpleasant situation for Grantham particularly having his granddaughter with him. I think that some Stewards should show a little empathy and take the time to properly explain the rules instead of playing the big 'I am in charge' attitude. They should also apply the rules to everyone and not turn the other cheek because the smokers look like a couple of bruisers (if they haven't got the balls to do that then they shouldn't be doing the job)

[60YearsAPie]

I don't think any of us who sympathised with Grantham were suggesting he flaunt Health & Safety regulations but were commenting on the apparent way it was handled, especially with young children involved. Obviously, we've only heard one side. Over the years, I've taken children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to games, and I know how easily upset they can get and put off so as not wanting to attend again.

[Davy500]

Was anyone else affected by the over zealous stewarding in the Kop on Saturday?

I’d taken my 6 year old granddaughter to her first ever home game on Saturday and not to break with tradition, 5 minutes before half time we went to the chip and burger van in the corner of the Kop. After getting her a hotdog, we went to my normal place halfway up the steps and I lifted her up and sat her in the wall. We’d only been there 3 or 4 minutes when two stewards started to kettle people off the steps and down into the small yard area near the chip van. There were several supporters near me with small children and we pointed out that we were not blocking the steps or causing any issues… just minding our own business and trying to eat our food.

At this, one of the stewards called a supervisor and a heated argument ensued. I informed him that I had stood game after game and season after season in the same spot since the Kop had reopened to home supporters with my both son and several grandchildren. He then started to ask me for my season ticket so that he could report me and eject me (and my granddaughter!) from the ground. I and another supporter told him that he was not the police and had no right to ask me for that information.

We pointed out to him and the other stewards, that once the halftime whistle was blown, many hundreds of supporters would be coming down those steps and that the area at the bottom would not be big enough to hold them all… indeed it was dangerous for people with small children and particularly the elderly and infirm. I saw one elderly gentleman with a walking aid almost being forced down the steps!

We eventually moved to the bottom of the steps and sure enough, my granddaughter had her hotdog knocked out of her hands and a small boy with his dad was crying in the crush.

The halftime whistle blew and within minutes the area was becoming congested and dangerous. The two stewards on the steps realised that they were not going to win an argument with big blokes wanting to smoke and stopped insisting that they moved to the foot of the steps… Quelle surprise!

Note
1) The area at the foot of the steps on the Kop is not big enough to hold more than a hundred or so supporters and to kettle people into a small area is both dangerous and reckless. It seems to be perfectly ok for supporters to congregate en masse at the TOP of the steps and concourse near the food outlet but not on the steps!

2) There has been no issues with supporters standing in these areas until Saturday. What’s suddenly changed after more than a decade?

3) The petty and vindictive nature of the stewarding on Saturday should be an embarrassment to the club. Bullying women, the elderly and children is the lowest of the low… particularly when you then witness the same stewards backing off in the face of big blokes having a cigarette.

It was an absolutely awful experience for my 6 year old granddaughter and not one she is ever likely to forget. One thing is for sure, I’ll never, ever purchase food or drink from the ground again. I’ll pack our own food and drink from now on and stay in our seats.

The club should be embarrassed.

Unfortunately this kind of behaviour has been on the rise since Covid - no common sense applied - and give some people a little power and its gone to their head, and they start acting like hitler lol , not pleasant for the small children
I had rang the doctors for hours right after covid and couldnt get through- i then went into the doctors with mask on and all that to book an appointment - even though i was right in front of mouthy receptionist - she said i cant make an appoinment = you will have to ring - so i took my phone out and rung in front of her - she then started giving it the big one saying i get security and get you thrown out - so i went out side near window so she could see - rang again and she answered lol

[60YearsAPie]

she said i cant make an appointment = you will have to ring - so i took my phone out and rung in front of her - she then started giving it the big one saying i get security and get you thrown out - so i went out side near window so she could see - rang again and she answered lol

[MAD_MAGPIE]

Was anyone else affected by the over zealous stewarding in the Kop on Saturday?

I’d taken my 6 year old granddaughter to her first ever home game on Saturday and not to break with tradition, 5 minutes before half time we went to the chip and burger van in the corner of the Kop. After getting her a hotdog, we went to my normal place halfway up the steps and I lifted her up and sat her in the wall. We’d only been there 3 or 4 minutes when two stewards started to kettle people off the steps and down into the small yard area near the chip van. There were several supporters near me with small children and we pointed out that we were not blocking the steps or causing any issues… just minding our own business and trying to eat our food.

At this, one of the stewards called a supervisor and a heated argument ensued. I informed him that I had stood game after game and season after season in the same spot since the Kop had reopened to home supporters with my both son and several grandchildren. He then started to ask me for my season ticket so that he could report me and eject me (and my granddaughter!) from the ground. I and another supporter told him that he was not the police and had no right to ask me for that information.

We pointed out to him and the other stewards, that once the halftime whistle was blown, many hundreds of supporters would be coming down those steps and that the area at the bottom would not be big enough to hold them all… indeed it was dangerous for people with small children and particularly the elderly and infirm. I saw one elderly gentleman with a walking aid almost being forced down the steps!

We eventually moved to the bottom of the steps and sure enough, my granddaughter had her hotdog knocked out of her hands and a small boy with his dad was crying in the crush.

The halftime whistle blew and within minutes the area was becoming congested and dangerous. The two stewards on the steps realised that they were not going to win an argument with big blokes wanting to smoke and stopped insisting that they moved to the foot of the steps… Quelle surprise!

Note
1) The area at the foot of the steps on the Kop is not big enough to hold more than a hundred or so supporters and to kettle people into a small area is both dangerous and reckless. It seems to be perfectly ok for supporters to congregate en masse at the TOP of the steps and concourse near the food outlet but not on the steps!

2) There has been no issues with supporters standing in these areas until Saturday. What’s suddenly changed after more than a decade?

3) The petty and vindictive nature of the stewarding on Saturday should be an embarrassment to the club. Bullying women, the elderly and children is the lowest of the low… particularly when you then witness the same stewards backing off in the face of big blokes having a cigarette.

It was an absolutely awful experience for my 6 year old granddaughter and not one she is ever likely to forget. One thing is for sure, I’ll never, ever purchase food or drink from the ground again. I’ll pack our own food and drink from now on and stay in our seats.

The club should be embarrassed.

This is something that you should certainly let the club know about.

I noticed it last season a few times people being ushed away from the steps and the area where you can see onto the pitch in the Kop. This was either at half time of before the game. There was one particularly older gentleman steward with sunglasses who's approach and attitude seemed to provoke a heated and negative response from people.

Politely informing people and explaining them why they need to move is probably the best approach, rather than threatening to evict people or demanding season ticket cards. It's only going to escalate and cause confrontation.

It might be worthwhile if the club issued a blanket statement as a reminder about the need to keep steps and concourses painted yellow clear for evacuation and emergency procedures.

[upthemaggies]

Could be that the stewards were told/reminded to enforce the guidelines on Saturday with the club expecting a bigger crowd than usual, or now that we're back in the FL with more strict rules and regulations? I'm sure most of the stewards are very decent and sensible but a part-time job at a Football Ground is always going to attract a certain type as well.

It's great that we're getting larger gates these days but with that comes some trade offs - longer queues etc.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

Could be that the stewards were told/reminded to enforce the guidelines on Saturday with the club expecting a bigger crowd than usual, or now that we're back in the FL with more strict rules and regulations? I'm sure most of the stewards are very decent and sensible but a part-time job at a Football Ground is always going to attract a certain type as well.

It's great that we're getting larger gates these days but with that comes some trade offs - longer queues etc.

Technically in the national league, I *think* you could have drank a pint whilst watching the game as the law states it's you can't drink alcohol in full view of the pitch for professional league matches, as the vanarama wasn't a fully professional league, I don't think it was an issue but the club kept it anyway but now we are back in the league, standing on the steps is in view of the pitch and you can be drinking alcohol so probably why they are enforcing it more

[maddogslater]

Personally I'm with GranthamPie on this issue, though the stewards should reserve the right to chuck him out for supporting Labour.

[tripie]

I believe that areas where you are not allowed to congregate or loiter are clearly painted or hashed in yellow. If this is what stewards are enforcing then they are doing their jobs. If they don't enforce then there is a risk to the clubs safety certificate which could further reduce the capacity.

[tripie]

Just to add, whenever I've been with young kids or older relatives I've always gone in the DP for bigger games. The atmosphere isn't as good but it's a lot more pleasant and you can see the kop in it's full glory.