STAR Reaction to Saturday's Stewarding Inadequacies

[handbags_harris]

Despite the reaction of a number of fans both on HNA and elsewhere, I find it slightly surprising that STAR haven't issued any kind of statement regarding their reaction to the clear stewarding inadequacies on Saturday. What is their current assessment of the situation and are any questions going to be asked of the club and their stewarding policies?

[STAR Voice]

On the agenda for our meeting on Wednesday an apparent shortage of stewards and also how they did.

[Rhys The Royal]

Well there was a shortage becuase they were too busy messing about at the top of Y25, instead of stopping people running on the pitch.

[Skin]

Well there was a shortage becuase they were too busy messing about at the top of Y25, instead of stopping people running on the pitch.

You're wrong, they had already gone outside the ground when the fans went on the pitch.

As for messing around at the top of Y25 - Yes, they did this consistently, winding people up, getting in peoples way, standing on peoples toes, making all sorts of threats about chucking out fans. In fact all they did was create a very volatile atmosphere instead of letting people enjoy the game. That is what needs addressing. They should not be winding up large sections of the crowd like they do.

[RoyalBlue]

On the agenda for our meeting on Wednesday an apparent shortage of stewards and also how they did.

Definite shortage of stewards. No steward covering the entrance and stairs up through Y21.

[Compo's Hat]

So what was discussed at the meeting?

[The 17 Bus]

the stuff on the agenda

[STAR Liaison]

So what was discussed at the meeting?

That several Reading supporters will be receiving banning orders and will be shown the CCTV evidence that the order is based on and asked why they behaved like that. The orders will be appealable but will be for the rest of the season if enforced. Do not forget that these were used when we did not have a full stadium, so it is not a matter of just being able to resell the seat!

The message we received which may or may not go down well is that RFC want Reading fans to follow the example of the club this week and take the moral high ground. The want us all to show that we do not respond in kind to away followers who try to elict a response, and they certainly do not want supporters who are willing to start any fracas.

As far as the Chelsea supporters who got out of their area, although they should have been treated more harshly, the fact that it was after the game was ended meant that the stewards were attempting to calm them, as per the training that I have personally witnessed even if it is not always in evidence in the home stands, rather than have any further escalation.

[M4 Junction 11]

So what was discussed at the meeting?

That several Reading supporters will be receiving banning orders and will be shown the CCTV evidence that the order is based on and asked why they behaved like that. The orders will be appealable but will be for the rest of the season if enforced. Do not forget that these were used when we did not have a full stadium, so it is not a matter of just being able to resell the seat!

The message we received which may or may not go down well is that RFC want Reading fans to follow the example of the club this week and take the moral high ground. The want us all to show that we do not respond in kind to away followers who try to elict a response, and they certainly do not want supporters who are willing to start any fracas.

As far as the Chelsea supporters who got out of their area, although they should have been treated more harshly, the fact that it was after the game was ended meant that the stewards were attempting to calm them, as per the training that I have personally witnessed even if it is not always in evidence in the home stands, rather than have any further escalation.

So fears are justified then. Reading fc come down harder on the home fans again

[RoyalBlue]

So what was discussed at the meeting?

That several Reading supporters will be receiving banning orders and will be shown the CCTV evidence that the order is based on and asked why they behaved like that. The orders will be appealable but will be for the rest of the season if enforced. Do not forget that these were used when we did not have a full stadium, so it is not a matter of just being able to resell the seat!

But, in the case of season ticket holders, this course of action would appear a lot more credible if they didn't resell the seat. Afterall, they've already had the money for it.

[royal.badger]

So what was discussed at the meeting?

That several Reading supporters will be receiving banning orders and will be shown the CCTV evidence that the order is based on and asked why they behaved like that. The orders will be appealable but will be for the rest of the season if enforced. Do not forget that these were used when we did not have a full stadium, so it is not a matter of just being able to resell the seat!

The message we received which may or may not go down well is that RFC want Reading fans to follow the example of the club this week and take the moral high ground. The want us all to show that we do not respond in kind to away followers who try to elict a response, and they certainly do not want supporters who are willing to start any fracas.

As far as the Chelsea supporters who got out of their area, although they should have been treated more harshly, the fact that it was after the game was ended meant that the stewards were attempting to calm them, as per the training that I have personally witnessed even if it is not always in evidence in the home stands, rather than have any further escalation.

So nothing happens to the Chelsea fans on the pitch then ??

[bobby1413]

The stewards have gone from:

- being there for the safety and welfare of the fans (both home and away)

to

- being slightly annoying in the way they do their job

to

- being very picky and targetting home fans specifically

to

- doing absolutely feck all apart from stopping people taking pictures, getting funny about someone standing, warning someone about being on the steps, warning about the language, and generally ignoring anything the away fans do - specifically them getting on the pitch,standing up all game.

I don't mind that, but I do mind them ruining the match by climbing through a row to warn someone about a camera or about standing up.

If it happens again, I'll ask for my £35 quid back.

[M4 Junction 11]

So nothing happens to the Chelsea fans on the pitch then ??

More likely for the FA to take action against Jose.

[bobby1413]

So what was discussed at the meeting?

That several Reading supporters will be receiving banning orders and will be shown the CCTV evidence that the order is based on and asked why they behaved like that. The orders will be appealable but will be for the rest of the season if enforced. Do not forget that these were used when we did not have a full stadium, so it is not a matter of just being able to resell the seat!

The message we received which may or may not go down well is that RFC want Reading fans to follow the example of the club this week and take the moral high ground. The want us all to show that we do not respond in kind to away followers who try to elict a response, and they certainly do not want supporters who are willing to start any fracas.

As far as the Chelsea supporters who got out of their area, although they should have been treated more harshly, the fact that it was after the game was ended meant that the stewards were attempting to calm them, as per the training that I have personally witnessed even if it is not always in evidence in the home stands, rather than have any further escalation.

So nothing happens to the Chelsea fans on the pitch then ??

What about a higher police presence.

The incidents on saturday were pretty petty and didn't come to much. But if both sets of fans wanted a fight, it would have happened. As for the chelsea fans getting out. I'm 100% sure they wouldn't have if the police were lining the away end by the pitch.

Why do other clubs have 50 odd coppers in the ground, and Reading have 4, and one with a camera - may I add - photographing home fans only.

[Rhys The Royal]

So what was discussed at the meeting?

That several Reading supporters will be receiving banning orders and will be shown the CCTV evidence that the order is based on and asked why they behaved like that. The orders will be appealable but will be for the rest of the season if enforced. Do not forget that these were used when we did not have a full stadium, so it is not a matter of just being able to resell the seat!

The message we received which may or may not go down well is that RFC want Reading fans to follow the example of the club this week and take the moral high ground. The want us all to show that we do not respond in kind to away followers who try to elict a response, and they certainly do not want supporters who are willing to start any fracas.

As far as the Chelsea supporters who got out of their area, although they should have been treated more harshly, the fact that it was after the game was ended meant that the stewards were attempting to calm them, as per the training that I have personally witnessed even if it is not always in evidence in the home stands, rather than have any further escalation.

So nothing happens to the Chelsea fans on the pitch then ??

What about a higher police presence.

The incidents on saturday were pretty petty and didn't come to much. But if both sets of fans wanted a fight, it would have happened. As for the chelsea fans getting out. I'm 100% sure they wouldn't have if the police were lining the away end by the pitch.

Why do other clubs have 50 odd coppers in the ground, and Reading have 4, and one with a camera - may I add - photographing home fans only.

Becuase the club have to pay the Police to be at our games, so they would prefer to hire Stewards than Police as the Stewards are probably cheaper.

[M4 Junction 11]

Perhaps we can set up an organisation to fight for the rights of the home supporters.

[STAR Liaison]

Becuase the club have to pay the Police to be at our games, so they would prefer to hire Stewards than Police as the Stewards are probably cheaper.

That is true, as well as the fact that a police presence does not seem to dampen problems but increase them. The club has worked hard to keep the number of incidents down so that we can have more police free games.

[Sharpy]

Becuase the club have to pay the Police to be at our games, so they would prefer to hire Stewards than Police as the Stewards are probably cheaper.

That is true, as well as the fact that a police presence does not seem to dampen problems but increase them. The club has worked hard to keep the number of incidents down so that we can have more police free games.

LMAO that wil never happen!! you cant control who the away fans are....get real!!

[STAR Liaison]

LMAO that wil never happen!! you cant control who the away fans are....get real!!

But it has happened.

I have asked this on the thread on Club Policies and got one positive response so will ask it here too. Is there a demand for another stewards forum? This enables you to explain your thoughts to the stewards in authority as well as for them to explain some of the problems they face and why they react as they do (which is sometimes because of rules and laws determined elsewhere than Reading).

It would be a chance to do something rather than moan on here.

[Skin]

Is there a demand for another stewards forum? This enables you to explain your thoughts to the stewards in authority as well as for them to explain some of the problems they face and why they react as they do (which is sometimes because of rules and laws determined elsewhere than Reading).

It would be a chance to do something rather than moan on here.

Instead of handing banning orders out like sweets maybe this forum should be offered to those fans instead.
Some basic education of stewards directives and responses towards fans who misbehave would be an obvious place to start. Also fans need to understand that these stewards do have the power to ban them (I didn't know this until I was told).
Maybe if fans were treated with some more respect and understanding then the stewards would be too? Or is that too obvious?
FFS we're there to watch football not have running battles with the stewards. There's no need for it from either side, I just think if they stopped acting like the National Guard for one second they would realise that too.
Banning orders should be a last ditch policy not a 'this will learn them policy'. Its hardly going to earn them any respect among the fans is it?