Near Miss - Craig Hope Article

[Jammy89]

A near-miss involving a Newcastle player and a young fan this week has led to the club telling supporters to stop gathering near the training ground entrance.

Confidential can reveal that a senior star was alarmed when he nearly hit an autograph-hunter while driving his car. The scare was raised with staff and the club have acted swiftly.

The narrow lane leading to the Benton base is used by Newcastle staff, players, pedestrians and construction vehicles working on the training ground expansion. Those wanting selfies and shirts signed often jump into the road, causing players to stop. Fans have also started waiting at nearby traffic lights and approaching the driver?s window while they're on red.

Newcastle have been considering taking action for some time but are also aware of the positive interactions that arise from fans, especially during the school holidays, enjoying a brief moment with the players.

But the incident this week has sharpened focus and a decision has been taken in the interest of safety.

Players and coaches have now been instructed not to stop their cars upon entering or leaving the training ground and fans have been asked not to congregate there.
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Totally get this and if they had hit the child in question it would be awful.

I also get that most kids go with their parents and that sadly it's the odd one or two that are spoiling for the rest.

But these players are these kids hero's - I'd like to believe they could do something every so often so these kids can meet their idols.

I know they do a lot of outreach but most is directed towards worth causes, I wonder if we couldn't have an open (to a degree) meet/greet thing where kids can come and just meet the players, get a selfie and autograph etc.

Or am I just to head in the clouds? World doesn't work like that anymore?

[Zippity]

No, some sort of open session is exactly the right sort of initiative.

Parents letting their kids go up to players' cars at red lights is ridiculous (and if it's kids on their own then the players shoulkd refuse to do it-they'd soon get the message).