Pre Match trial of outside area - observations

As for over zealous stewarding it's probably down to how the contractor's management brief them (or don't) pre-match.
It's not all about potential violence between fans.
I am in favour of feeling at least reasonably secure in a massive gathering in a very unstable world with some seriously misguided loons in society just dreaming of turning me into a pile of chopped meat.
The risk assessment won't allow the wild west liberty that would be so welcome to all. We have to get used to the idea that be our lovely little DC on matchday would be a prime target for the nut jobs.

Before anyone says it I know the outside areas are still effectively wide open and the pettiness is annoying but the do nothing option for checks is not an option, at least for the ground itself. It's a deterrent, not a solution, and I for one am glad an effort is made in a difficult situation to manage. I'll put up with the hassle and little Hitlers.
 
Doofus said:
As for over zealous stewarding it's probably down to how the contractor's management brief them (or don't) pre-match.
It's not all about potential violence between fans.
I am in favour of feeling at least reasonably secure in a massive gathering in a very unstable world with some seriously misguided loons in society just dreaming of turning me into a pile of chopped meat.
The risk assessment won't allow the wild west liberty that would be so welcome to all. We have to get used to the idea that be our lovely little DC on matchday would be a prime target for the nut jobs.

Before anyone says it I know the outside areas are still effectively wide open and the pettiness is annoying but the do nothing option for checks is not an option, at least for the ground itself. It's a deterrent, not a solution, and I for one am glad an effort is made in a difficult situation to manage. I'll put up with the hassle and little Hitlers.
Click to expand...
Why are we so much more of a threat than other fans?
 
RobTrent said:
Why are we so much more of a threat than other fans?
Click to expand...

Zimmer Crew?

Due to average higher age, more chance of having metal/artificial components in body.

That coupled with being armed with projectiles (such as Werthers originals and false teeth), makes large % of our fan base a tier 1 security risk proposition.

Even heard the other day, that some of our 'senior fans' have had razer blades fitted into cloth caps (ala Peeky Blinders), hence the seemingly over the top requests to remove them for inspection, during searches.
 
redharry said:
As I have said on here so many times. Our "security" is ridiculous compared to how other fans are treated at other PL and Championship grounds. Most grounds home fans are not routinely searched, stewards are often not even present at home turnstiles. Why we have to put up with it every week is beyond me. And as for ticket checks at the start of the safe standing area, don't get me started.
Click to expand...
Perhaps it’s because our Operations Director is an ex-Copper and has carried an over zealous police practice to Dean Court. I agree, it’s ridiculously over the top.
 
Doofus said:
As for over zealous stewarding it's probably down to how the contractor's management brief them (or don't) pre-match.
It's not all about potential violence between fans.
I am in favour of feeling at least reasonably secure in a massive gathering in a very unstable world with some seriously misguided loons in society just dreaming of turning me into a pile of chopped meat.
The risk assessment won't allow the wild west liberty that would be so welcome to all. We have to get used to the idea that be our lovely little DC on matchday would be a prime target for the nut jobs.

Before anyone says it I know the outside areas are still effectively wide open and the pettiness is annoying but the do nothing option for checks is not an option, at least for the ground itself. It's a deterrent, not a solution, and I for one am glad an effort is made in a difficult situation to manage. I'll put up with the hassle and little Hitlers.
Click to expand...
So why are home supporters at DC treated so differently to home supporters at other clubs. Why should we put up with "little Hitlers" as you put it ? I don't feel safer at DC compared to St James Park, Anfield or Luton. Does a steward insisting on searching under your hat make you feel safer?
 
SlowDownDerek said:
I do actually agree with you about what seems like pointless overzealous stewarding at AFCB, it's as if they think we don't know what it's like at other grounds.

Stupidly I didn't read the 2003 licencing act before I turned up on Saturday so when the lady asked to see my ticket I just showed it to her and carried on. I feel a bit silly now. ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I probably need to change my mindset when dealing with these people but struggle. We were subject to a different head steward this week, snarling at people to sit down, ordering the younger stewards around aggressively, running around like a headless chicken. The search coming in was more thorough than ever.

I didn't think they were 'keeping us safe' or whatever, they were literally oppressing us and I sit in one of the tamest areas of the ground.

Earlier this season there was a medical emergency and they froze, complete inaction. It was if things had to go through the chain of command and even then they strolled up like it was an inconvenience with a measure of distrust. Spectators acted quicker and with more urgency.

There needs to be a massive overhaul of stewarding. We're not their enemy, they should be concentrating on our comfort and safety not looking for fault and building levels of distrust. We should be looking at them as people to help and assist, not ready to punish us for the slightest issue which is certainly how it feels now.
 
red_house said:
Yeah, I probably need to change my mindset when dealing with these people. We were subject to a different head steward this week, snarling at people to sit down, ordering the younger stewards around aggressively, running around like a headless chicken. The search coming in was more thorough than ever.

I didn't think they were 'keeping us safe' or whatever, they were literally oppressing us and I sit in one of the tamest areas of the ground.

Earlier this season there was a medical emergency and they froze, complete inaction. It was if things had to go through the chain of command and even then they strolled up like it was an inconvenience with a measure of distrust. Spectators acted quicker and with more urgency.

There needs to be a massive overhaul of stewarding. We're not their enemy, they should be concentrating on our comfort and safety not looking for fault and building levels of distrust. We should be looking at them as people to help and assist, not ready to punish us for the slightest issue which is certainly how it feels now.
Click to expand...
The head should answer questions in the spirit of transparency. Go to a rowdy rock concert and the stewards work WITH the crowd not against them.
 
I'm happy with the level of stewarding as we don't have any trouble at DC, so it's not over the top, it's just like my special stone which keeps Tigers away.......( I don't take it to games obviously , so I am worry about how they would deal with a Tiger running about of course.....

But you can't be too careful.......
 
LewSwimmin said:
As I understand it the bottle top rule is not in place to stop the bottles being used as weapons but to prevent discarded ones causing trip hazards when people are leaving their seats en-masse, such as at full time or in an emergency. It's easy to cause a lot of problems for other people if you fall in front of them after rolling your foot on a closed bottle, whereas ones without a top on just get flattened when anyone treads on them.
Click to expand...
No good bringing facts into the equation here, although it might help steer the argument in a namby-pamby, nanny state, health and safety gone mad type direction!
 
Red Sky said:
The only way to offer real customer choice is to get out of exclusivity contracts. Something we need to be doing as we become less tinpot. I'd love Way Outback or someone similar to have a pop up bar at the ground.
Click to expand...
As I've said Boscombe Brewery is the obvious choice; based in Gloucester Road a few hundred yards from the ground, a fellow compatriot of the owners and much better beer too.
 
red_house said:
Yeah, I probably need to change my mindset when dealing with these people but struggle. We were subject to a different head steward this week, snarling at people to sit down, ordering the younger stewards around aggressively, running around like a headless chicken. The search coming in was more thorough than ever.

I didn't think they were 'keeping us safe' or whatever, they were literally oppressing us and I sit in one of the tamest areas of the ground.

Earlier this season there was a medical emergency and they froze, complete inaction. It was if things had to go through the chain of command and even then they strolled up like it was an inconvenience with a measure of distrust. Spectators acted quicker and with more urgency.

There needs to be a massive overhaul of stewarding. We're not their enemy, they should be concentrating on our comfort and safety not looking for fault and building levels of distrust. We should be looking at them as people to help and assist, not ready to punish us for the slightest issue which is certainly how it feels now.
Click to expand...

All depends what area of the ground you are I guess, if you’re a kid having your picture taken in front of the pitch having the audacity to smile, then the stewards will be on you super quick to move you on. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

;