MadStad steward watch 09/10

[Sir Rodney Effing]

Agree with all the comments on here; the stewards are just a bunch of jobsworths... Hang on; no, can't call these f*ckwits that as they don't know what they are doing, ergo they are not even doing their job.

I was once was told I could not come into the ground for being drunk. They based this not on giving me a breathalyster test but could tell I was drunk by apparently laughing at my friend for seeing his "Royals Brick" spelt wrongly. I know, I can't work it out either. The other steward was highly embarrassed by all this. It makes you realise the West Brom Stewards were just the same as all the others.
Would any stewards care to reply to any of this, assuming you have now learnt to walk without scraping your knuckles on the ground and you can now use a computer?

[Wimb]

^ ALOL at this. I took my 11 year old (STH) and one of my 5 year olds to yesterday's game - so that will be the "fans tomorrow" you speak off - and the 5 year old preferred it when we were stood up rather than having to sit down.

And as for "the club shouldn't ever be down at that level again" - another abysmal point TBH. I refer you to Leeds / Man City / Nottm Forest / Southampton.....

So what about the kids that don't enjoy having an obstructed view then? sod them I suppose?

In truth you make a very valid point, as others have, that generating and experiencing a good atmosphere is part of what gives people the bug. Again it's part of what gave me the bug, but I find the notion you can't make a good atmosphere whilst sitting/standing for short periods far fetched as we've generated such atmospheres numerous times home and away throughout the time i've been a fan/

So really you're still dodging the main points of it being unfair for some people to stand when others buy their tickets on the expecatation they'll be sat down and have an unrestricted view, and the second point of it being part of the LAW that you cannot persistantly stand.

Finally I don't see why my hopes that the club should never be down in tier 3 and 4 again is an abysmal point either tbf. Yes Leeds, Man City, Forest and Saints all went down to tier 3 but are you suggesting we should do our planning as a club on a negative basis rather then a positive one? If that was the case why the oxf*rd build the Madejski in the first place? why not build a 10,000 seater stadium with terraces on so that the 'die hards' can all be happy. Of course you plan for a 'rainy day' but you should be trying to build a club that's set up to be a side in the top 2 divisions.

[Winchester Royal]

^ ALOL at this. I took my 11 year old (STH) and one of my 5 year olds to yesterday's game - so that will be the "fans tomorrow" you speak off - and the 5 year old preferred it when we were stood up rather than having to sit down.

And as for "the club shouldn't ever be down at that level again" - another abysmal point TBH. I refer you to Leeds / Man City / Nottm Forest / Southampton.....

So what about the kids that don't enjoy having an obstructed view then? sod them I suppose?

In truth you make a very valid point, as others have, that generating and experiencing a good atmosphere is part of what gives people the bug. Again it's part of what gave me the bug, but I find the notion you can't make a good atmosphere whilst sitting/standing for short periods far fetched as we've generated such atmospheres numerous times home and away throughout the time i've been a fan/

So really you're still dodging the main points of it being unfair for some people to stand when others buy their tickets on the expecatation they'll be sat down and have an unrestricted view, and the second point of it being part of the LAW that you cannot persistantly stand.

Finally I don't see why my hopes that the club should never be down in tier 3 and 4 again is an abysmal point either tbf. Yes Leeds, Man City, Forest and Saints all went down to tier 3 but are you suggesting we should do our planning as a club on a negative basis rather then a positive one? If that was the case why the oxf*rd build the Madejski in the first place? why not build a 10,000 seater stadium with terraces on so that the 'die hards' can all be happy. Of course you plan for a 'rainy day' but you should be trying to build a club that's set up to be a side in the top 2 divisions.

Any person buying a ticket in Y25/26 expecting not to have people standing around them is a moron. If you want to sit down theres thousands of seats in the stadium where you won't see anybody standing near you. It might be 'The Law', but how many other laws do you break? I bet you occassionally speed, drink in public etc... The FLA need to see sense and allow standing areas, so the club don't HAVE to enforce ridiculous rules. They can hardly explain to people buying tickets in Y25/26 that they will probably have to stand at some point, as they are saying that they don't do their job properly. This is one rule that people are generally against. Those that want to sit will be able to do in peace if standing areas are introduced, and those who wish to stand, like myself, Finerain, Floyd, Troli + Sons will be able to, safe in the knowledge some jumped up imbecile in an orange jacket isn't going to start throwing their weight around.

Set up a large family area in the stadium where all rules are to be strictly enforced, and turn a blind eye to standing elsewhere. That's how I'd do it

[Wimb]

^ ALOL at this. I took my 11 year old (STH) and one of my 5 year olds to yesterday's game - so that will be the "fans tomorrow" you speak off - and the 5 year old preferred it when we were stood up rather than having to sit down.

And as for "the club shouldn't ever be down at that level again" - another abysmal point TBH. I refer you to Leeds / Man City / Nottm Forest / Southampton.....

So what about the kids that don't enjoy having an obstructed view then? sod them I suppose?

In truth you make a very valid point, as others have, that generating and experiencing a good atmosphere is part of what gives people the bug. Again it's part of what gave me the bug, but I find the notion you can't make a good atmosphere whilst sitting/standing for short periods far fetched as we've generated such atmospheres numerous times home and away throughout the time i've been a fan/

So really you're still dodging the main points of it being unfair for some people to stand when others buy their tickets on the expecatation they'll be sat down and have an unrestricted view, and the second point of it being part of the LAW that you cannot persistantly stand.

Finally I don't see why my hopes that the club should never be down in tier 3 and 4 again is an abysmal point either tbf. Yes Leeds, Man City, Forest and Saints all went down to tier 3 but are you suggesting we should do our planning as a club on a negative basis rather then a positive one? If that was the case why the oxf*rd build the Madejski in the first place? why not build a 10,000 seater stadium with terraces on so that the 'die hards' can all be happy. Of course you plan for a 'rainy day' but you should be trying to build a club that's set up to be a side in the top 2 divisions.

Any person buying a ticket in Y25/26 expecting not to have people standing around them is a moron. If you want to sit down theres thousands of seats in the stadium where you won't see anybody standing near you. It might be 'The Law', but how many other laws do you break? I bet you occassionally speed, drink in public etc... The FLA need to see sense and allow standing areas, so the club don't HAVE to enforce ridiculous rules. They can hardly explain to people buying tickets in Y25/26 that they will probably have to stand at some point, as they are saying that they don't do their job properly. This is one rule that people are generally against. Those that want to sit will be able to do in peace if standing areas are introduced, and those who wish to stand, like myself, Finerain, Floyd, Troli + Sons will be able to, safe in the knowledge some jumped up imbecile in an orange jacket isn't going to start throwing their weight around.

Set up a large family area in the stadium where all rules are to be strictly enforced, and turn a blind eye to standing elsewhere. That's how I'd do it

Can't say I disagree with your really WR, probably the best way to do it sooner the law is changed the better to be honest.

[Negative_Jeff]

^ ALOL at this. I took my 11 year old (STH) and one of my 5 year olds to yesterday's game - so that will be the "fans tomorrow" you speak off - and the 5 year old preferred it when we were stood up rather than having to sit down.

And as for "the club shouldn't ever be down at that level again" - another abysmal point TBH. I refer you to Leeds / Man City / Nottm Forest / Southampton.....

So what about the kids that don't enjoy having an obstructed view then? sod them I suppose?

In truth you make a very valid point, as others have, that generating and experiencing a good atmosphere is part of what gives people the bug. Again it's part of what gave me the bug, but I find the notion you can't make a good atmosphere whilst sitting/standing for short periods far fetched as we've generated such atmospheres numerous times home and away throughout the time i've been a fan/

So really you're still dodging the main points of it being unfair for some people to stand when others buy their tickets on the expecatation they'll be sat down and have an unrestricted view, and the second point of it being part of the LAW that you cannot persistantly stand.

Finally I don't see why my hopes that the club should never be down in tier 3 and 4 again is an abysmal point either tbf. Yes Leeds, Man City, Forest and Saints all went down to tier 3 but are you suggesting we should do our planning as a club on a negative basis rather then a positive one? If that was the case why the oxf*rd build the Madejski in the first place? why not build a 10,000 seater stadium with terraces on so that the 'die hards' can all be happy. Of course you plan for a 'rainy day' but you should be trying to build a club that's set up to be a side in the top 2 divisions.

Sod the families. My mum and dad never took me to football when I was young kid, I just went wiv me mates, learnt how to shout and swear and still do. Football grounds were just like that.
The above view is probably that of someone who intends to vote LibDem. What a miserable, politically correct existence it will be if that lot get anywhere the levers of power.

[Gordons Cumming]

Negative_ jeff.



Oh yeah and why the underscore?

[Stranded]

^ ALOL at this. I took my 11 year old (STH) and one of my 5 year olds to yesterday's game - so that will be the "fans tomorrow" you speak off - and the 5 year old preferred it when we were stood up rather than having to sit down.

And as for "the club shouldn't ever be down at that level again" - another abysmal point TBH. I refer you to Leeds / Man City / Nottm Forest / Southampton.....

So what about the kids that don't enjoy having an obstructed view then? sod them I suppose?

In truth you make a very valid point, as others have, that generating and experiencing a good atmosphere is part of what gives people the bug. Again it's part of what gave me the bug, but I find the notion you can't make a good atmosphere whilst sitting/standing for short periods far fetched as we've generated such atmospheres numerous times home and away throughout the time i've been a fan/

So really you're still dodging the main points of it being unfair for some people to stand when others buy their tickets on the expecatation they'll be sat down and have an unrestricted view, and the second point of it being part of the LAW that you cannot persistantly stand.

Finally I don't see why my hopes that the club should never be down in tier 3 and 4 again is an abysmal point either tbf. Yes Leeds, Man City, Forest and Saints all went down to tier 3 but are you suggesting we should do our planning as a club on a negative basis rather then a positive one? If that was the case why the oxf*rd build the Madejski in the first place? why not build a 10,000 seater stadium with terraces on so that the 'die hards' can all be happy. Of course you plan for a 'rainy day' but you should be trying to build a club that's set up to be a side in the top 2 divisions.

Any person buying a ticket in Y25/26 expecting not to have people standing around them is a moron. If you want to sit down theres thousands of seats in the stadium where you won't see anybody standing near you. It might be 'The Law', but how many other laws do you break? I bet you occassionally speed, drink in public etc... The FLA need to see sense and allow standing areas, so the club don't HAVE to enforce ridiculous rules. They can hardly explain to people buying tickets in Y25/26 that they will probably have to stand at some point, as they are saying that they don't do their job properly. This is one rule that people are generally against. Those that want to sit will be able to do in peace if standing areas are introduced, and those who wish to stand, like myself, Finerain, Floyd, Troli + Sons will be able to, safe in the knowledge some jumped up imbecile in an orange jacket isn't going to start throwing their weight around.

Set up a large family area in the stadium where all rules are to be strictly enforced, and turn a blind eye to standing elsewhere. That's how I'd do it

What if you are new to the area and it's you want to check out a game for the first time and happen to get a seat in Y25/Y26 not knowing the ground, does that make you a moron?

The rules are stupid and I'd like a standing area as much as the next man but complaining when stewards are just doing their job (I can understand complaints about how they do it) is a bit pathetic. The rules aren't going to change by constantly breaking them.

A critical mass will mean the stewards won't do anything but if it continued all that will happen is certain sections will be closed off. It has happened before and will happen again.

[Terminal Boardom]

There is a general election a few weeks away. Anyone calling to ask how you will vote should be met with a request wanting to know where their candidate stands on safe standing areas in football grounds.

[Silver Fox]

INdeed, it's one of the top issues facing the country today

[Terminal Boardom]

INdeed, it's one of the top issues facing the country today

The way that some on here go on about it, one would think it is the ONLY issue affecting our country

[Jerry St Clair]

The above view is probably that of someone who intends to vote LibDem. What a miserable, politically correct existence it will be if that lot get anywhere the levers of power.

Interesting take. Considering that the Lib Dems are the only party that support safe standing areas in grounds.

[Negative_Jeff]

Negative_ jeff.



Oh yeah and why the underscore?

Floyd taught me how to do it. Its in deference to him.

[Negative_Jeff]

The above view is probably that of someone who intends to vote LibDem. What a miserable, politically correct existence it will be if that lot get anywhere the levers of power.

Interesting take. Considering that the Lib Dems are the only party that support safe standing areas in grounds.

I may be wrong but I think the English Democrats are also supporting it.

[Sun Tzu]

The above view is probably that of someone who intends to vote LibDem. What a miserable, politically correct existence it will be if that lot get anywhere the levers of power.

Interesting take. Considering that the Lib Dems are the only party that support safe standing areas in grounds.

I may be wrong but I think the English Democrats are also supporting it.

I'm not sure he was including the joke parties !!

[sandhurstroyal]

The fundamental problem with the rules regarding standing is that people don't protest in the correct way.

Does anyone on this board really believe that the way to change something that they believe to be unjust is to continually break the rules until the government change their mind about it? Isn't that what Hitler did in Germany?

The effective way to change is to let the nation believe that we are trustworthy people and able to go to games without making a nuisance of ourselves.

What people do by arguing with Stewards and the like is show that football fans are objectionable and not to be trusted, the rules will never change unless people adapt their actions.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

[WoodleyRoyal]

i think you'll find the best way to change the law is to stand all game and fight any stewards who comes near, using boiling bovril if required

[Rex]

Nah the over all perception of football is the laughable comments made by even some of the people on this site and supposedly within the footballing fraternity. There are still over riding perceptions that those that watch football do it for for the kudos and macho bollocks of having run ins with opposition support and police. This tarrs everyone with the same brush and as laughably commented on in this thread makes those wishing to enjoy themselves, knuckle draggers/ thugs and morons. Far from it is my perception. The same polarization goes on with stewards. We have seen the small angry man at Forest, the thugs dressed as stewards who come across as SIA thugs who think swinging punches at blokes half their age and weight is authorized in the name of health and safety!.

The stewards need to attain a professional standard, and by attending a course does not make that person fit and able to carry out the job in a calm and logical manner. Crowd control is the specific priority, control where safety if at the forefront. That of the supporter and on occasion the Steward. Absolute honest dialogue needs to be taken, be that in a forum environment or specific meeting encouraging a sea change in attitude from both sides.

Ideal world isn't it?

[STAR Liaison]

Absolute honest dialogue needs to be taken, be that in a forum environment or specific meeting encouraging a sea change in attitude from both sides.

Ideal world isn't it?

Is this the moment to suggest a stewards forum again to get a local dialogue going? From memory I have organised 4 or 5 so far and the number of supporters attending have varied from just me to 6.

I am happy to get another organised - for next season now - if there is a call for it.

[Maguire]

Why don't you all just sit down?

[handbags_harris]

Absolute honest dialogue needs to be taken, be that in a forum environment or specific meeting encouraging a sea change in attitude from both sides.

Ideal world isn't it?

Is this the moment to suggest a stewards forum again to get a local dialogue going? From memory I have organised 4 or 5 so far and the number of supporters attending have varied from just me to 6.

I am happy to get another organised - for next season now - if there is a call for it.

Probably not tbf, it'd just be a waste of time. All we'll get is Clive Doyle turning up with the usual rhetoric of "we can't do anything except enforce the FLA and RBC's rules, and be seen to be enforcing those rules in the manner that I see fit and I will not have standing at the Madejski Stadium full stop because it's dangerous" (totally forgetting that as a former police officer it was his colleagues who were in major part culpable for the reason for the introduction of all-seating). On the back of that it'll be "I won't have people abusing my stewards when they're doing their job of enforcing the stadium regulations", but of course the stewards attitude to the fans will not be called into question, particularly the aforementioned silver-haired chap who has such an air of arrogance and untouchableness (is that a word?) about him - goes in with an air of authority but answer back at your peril. He really is an absolute tw@, said tosser was the one who took me down into the concourse at the Sheff Utd game for apparently gesticulating behind his back, resulting in tangos threatening to revoke my season ticket despite their admittance that the CCTV footage of what I had apparently done wasn't clear. When I went to the forum a few years ago Doyle struck me as a man who there was no debating with, very much a "this was how it is and this was how it's going to stay" type of bloke, I saw no sign of improvement. Until regulations change from the FLA then we're going to get nowhere locally, particularly more so with Doyle as the club's safety officer.