[Football] Idiots at away games

Buzzer · Feb 2, 2018

Hastings gull said:
I suppose the reality is that this has to be the compromise. Not ideal by any means , but perhaps if everyone understands it, then that at least would help.

It is ideal though. It works very well. Honestly, it really does and if a fan has special needs because they need to be sat with a bit of space or in a quiet area then all it takes is a word with the stewards. I've seen it done loads of times.

Lower West Stander · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
I really don't think anyone has any problem with people wanting to sit in their seats but as many, may others have said in this thread, the etiquette is that if you want to sit in your seat then arrive early. You can't really start trying to kick people out of your seat when you rock up 5 minutes before kick off.

It's an unwritten rule that's been around for donkey's years and every away fan understands it, or should do.

But that’s my point and it’s what I said earlier on this thread.

You say “every away fan”. But it’s not - it may be fans who go to every away who follow a certain etiquette, but there are going to be fans in the away end at each game who don’t follow it and just want to do what it says on their ticket. And why can’t you go and sit in your seat 5 minutes before the game starts? All this looks to me like a set of regular away fans wanting to protect their own interests. As other have said, there should be compromise.

I understand your point, but if something is an unwritten rule, why should people accept it when they can’t know anything about it!

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Buzzer · Feb 2, 2018

Lower West Stander said:
And why can’t you go and sit in your seat 5 minutes before the game starts? All this looks to me like a set of regular away fans wanting to protect their own interests. As other have said, there should be compromise.

That is the compromise though! If you really, really, really want your seat then don't arrive after everyone else because it causes no end of bother with a huge knock-on effect. I'm struggling to see where there is compromise by demanding your seat when everyone else is already at the game.

As a bit of light relief and proof that stewards (or most of them) are there to help rather than massage their own egos, this is the kind of thing I was referring to when I said that a quiet word with the stewards if you have a special need is all that's needed.

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Hastings gull · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
It is ideal though. It works very well. Honestly, it really does and if a fan has special needs because they need to be sat with a bit of space or in a quiet area then all it takes is a word with the stewards. I've seen it done loads of times.

I suspect that given such a difficult situation, it works well for those who go regularly, understanding the etiquette, and one could certainly say -fair enough - but for those who do not and quite reasonably expect to sit in their seat at any time of arrival, the situation is by no means ideal. I am sure that what you say with regard to the stewarding reflects much current practice, and thankfully so, but the OP's experience, whatever you think of him, was in direct contrast to that. I don't go to away matches now, being an old fogie, but can certainly sympathise with the etiquette, as I am sure that, had I been younger and going in this day and age, I would have wanted to stand after a few drinks. But there is the nagging doubt about what to do with those who are also devout Albion fans and don't want to stand.

Thunder Bolt · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
It is ideal though. It works very well. Honestly, it really does and if a fan has special needs because they need to be sat with a bit of space or in a quiet area then all it takes is a word with the stewards. I've seen it done loads of times.

I know where you're coming from but not all stewards are helpful. Some just ignore you when you ask for help. Thankfully they are in a minority.

Buzzer · Feb 2, 2018

Thunder Bolt said:
I know where you're coming from but not all stewards are helpful. Some just ignore you when you ask for help. Thankfully they are in a minority.

True. I've seen some absolute stinkers too but they really are in the minority.

Thunder Bolt · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
True. I've seen some absolute stinkers too but they really are in the minority.

The worst one was at Forest away. He stood in front of me all game. I politely asked him to move, but he wouldn't, and we'd sold out, so I couldn't move.

Buzzer · Feb 2, 2018

Thunder Bolt said:
The worst one was at Forest away. He stood in front of me all game. I politely asked him to move, but he wouldn't, and we'd sold out, so I couldn't move.

I'd have filmed him and sent it to Forest. Sounds like the bloke really needs taking down a peg or two.

Guinness Boy · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
I really don't think anyone has any problem with people wanting to sit in their seats but as many, may others have said in this thread, the etiquette is that if you want to sit in your seat then arrive early. You can't really start trying to kick people out of your seat when you rock up 5 minutes before kick off.

It's an unwritten rule that's been around for donkey's years and every away fan understands it, or should do.

I'd normally agree with this and certainly think it's the accepted norm. Wednesday was a bit different though due to the traffic. For various reasons there were three of us with tickets together but we had to arrive in two separate cars. Car 1 which just had one mate in arrived on time and he went straight to the seats and saved our two. We'd aimed to get there at 7 but got in the ground at 7.44 thanks to the traffic. It was a bit of a faff getting to our seats but the mate who'd saved them is ex-Navy. grumpy and doesn't take any shit. However, since he was driving on to Devon after the game and we were going home it was also my only chance to see him on what's supposed to be a social occasion. If we'd ended up split up even for just the first 45 mins I would have been well pissed off.

Thunder Bolt · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
I'd have filmed him and sent it to Forest. Sounds like the bloke really needs taking down a peg or two.

My mobile phone only made calls and sent texts, at that time.

Weststander · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
I'd have filmed him and sent it to Forest. Sounds like the bloke really needs taking down a peg or two.

With a traditional bunch of fives?

Buzzer · Feb 2, 2018

Weststander said:
With a traditional bunch of fives?

No way. With that kind of steward then even a bit of verbals back at him could get you a ban. Bloke just needs politely reminding by his club that he's there to help, not use the job as some sort of break away from his grotty bedsit where he spends all his time watching Britain First videos and ultra-violent porn.

Weststander · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
No way. With that kind of steward then even a bit of verbals back at him could get you a ban. Bloke just needs politely reminding by his club that he's there to help, not use the job as some sort of break away from his grotty bedsit where he spends all his time watching Britain First videos and ultra-violent porn.

I was being silly. Fully recognising that in the age of CCTV and jobsworths, even an argument would face the full force of clubs pulling rank to dish out an over the top ban.

sully · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
That is the compromise though! If you really, really, really want your seat then don't arrive after everyone else because it causes no end of bother with a huge knock-on effect. I'm struggling to see where there is compromise by demanding your seat when everyone else is already at the game.

It doesn’t cause any bother at a home game, so why is it a problem away?

Oh yes, it’s because you want to stand where you like and stuff those who don’t.

Buzzer · Feb 2, 2018

sully said:
It doesn’t cause any bother at a home game, so why is it a problem away?

Oh yes, it’s because you want to stand where you like and stuff those who don’t.

Home games are different for a number of reasons. Most of us have seats where we sit in every week by virtue of our ST and you simply don't get home fans trying to sit in other people's seats. If it happens then it's the exception. And stewarding for home fans is different than for away fans.

Sorry matey but I'm not sure we're going to agree here so probably best to leave this here but if you think that turning up at kick off and insisting on sitting in your seat is perfectly reasonable then you will cop loads of abuse and in my opinion justifiably so.

thedonkeycentrehalf · Feb 2, 2018

chaileyjem said:
Not arguing. Just pointing out , regardless of OPs true or not story that The stewarding at Southampton was poor, and that can be potentially dangerous .(access important for all sorts of reasons not just fire)
And standing in aisles to the extent of what happened at St Mary’s isn’t commonplace at away games.

We got held up in traffic and didn't get in the ground until just after kick off. We had no chance of getting to our seats (and didn't expect to either) so the steward told us to take one of the nearby empty seats (reasonable enough).

The biggest problem was that all the late arrivals came through the entrance and went straight up to the central away stairs closest to the goal. The steward at the top of these stairs could see that there was no space left and was desperately trying to attract the attention of his colleagues to help stop people coming up via these stairs. Nobody came to help him and he had to give up trying to keep the aisles clear. He didn't appear to have a two way radio so was helpless. All it would have taken was some better communication / management by the stewards and the latecomers could have been directed to the areas where there was still space and the aisles kept clear.

sully · Feb 2, 2018

Buzzer said:
Home games are different for a number of reasons. Most of us have seats where we sit in every week by virtue of our ST and you simply don't get home fans trying to sit in other people's seats. If it happens then it's the exception. And stewarding for home fans is different than for away fans.

Sorry matey but I'm not sure we're going to agree here so probably best to leave this here but if you think that turning up at kick off and insisting on sitting in your seat is perfectly reasonable then you will cop loads of abuse and in my opinion justifiably so.

Agree that we’re not going to agree. Clearly a little bit of respect for others is too much to ask.

As long as you’re ok, that’s fine. :shrug:

Iggle Piggle · Feb 2, 2018

The problem this year is that we've had a load of sell outs. The unwritten away rule when there is more space than people is singers and piss heads to the back and those who want to sit to the front. Unfortunately, when it sells out you have to at least aim for your seat but not everyone does.

This season I've taken my 6 year old lad to a couple of games. He stands on the seat, we go to the front and we get there early and I tell him not to repeat anything he hears. Anyone aiming for row z at 2.55 for a 3 o clock kick off in that situation, well, complain about it all you like on here but get used to dissapointment in life.

throbinson · Feb 3, 2018

Shit I’ve got row 24 with my short arse son next week at Stoke, anyone fancy swapping for row 5 or 6? Unless it’s raining

dazzer6666 · Feb 3, 2018

throbinson said:
Shit I’ve got row 24 with my short arse son next week at Stoke, anyone fancy swapping for row 5 or 6? Unless it’s raining

Let him stand on his seat [emoji106]

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