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Standing in the North Stand
- Thread starter Bozza
- Start date
A lot of the confusion has been caused by the club telling us at the season ticket presentations that standing would be tolerated at the back of the North Stand.
Martin Perry said that the stewarding would be relaxed and people in the back 4 rows would not be asked to sit.
Martin Perry said that the stewarding would be relaxed and people in the back 4 rows would not be asked to sit.
Jack Daniels
New member
The week after the "Standing in the North Stand" debate kicked off, during the West Ham v Chelsea game, both sets of fans stood for most of that match, and the stewards backed off and didn't wade in to try and get supporters to sit.
Tomorrow's game is possibly going to be the largest attendance this season so far at the Amex, and will the stuff that's been going on recently, I feel, and this is a personal opinion, the stewards will be told to get tough tomorrow and they will rigidly enforce the no standing rule in the lower rows of the North Stand. I really think it could turn nasty tomorrow. I just hope sensible behaviour from fans and stewards prevail, and we have a great match to get behind the team.
This
Jack Daniels
New member
Too short. Needs lots more waffle.
ngood77
Active member
- Aug 5, 2006
- 983
Everybody knows the rules, they are the ground regulations. It's how they are interpreted and enforced that matters.
I take it you put forward the strong desire for North Stand fans to stand during the game and the inevitable, and avoidable, backlash there would be if this stewarding approach was maintained ? I know it's not your job, and we are immensely grateful for your NSC management, but you have a much more open, and 'respected', route into the club than most of us.
Cheers
ngood77
Active member
- Aug 5, 2006
- 983
I agree with you that it's inconsiderate of clubs not to offer both standing and sitting areas.
Horsham Gull
H Block Offender
the club have now also issued a statement about persistent standing on the official site: Persistent Standing
rocker959
Well-known member
Some pics of standing
Hillsborough Kop in standing days......... wow !
Leppings Lane Hillsborough disaster at 3pm if only the LFC fans had been directed to the empty spaces in the sections either side of the goal !!!
Anfield all seater Kop ........... who is sitting ??
Hillsborough Kop in standing days......... wow !
Leppings Lane Hillsborough disaster at 3pm if only the LFC fans had been directed to the empty spaces in the sections either side of the goal !!!
Anfield all seater Kop ........... who is sitting ??
Attachments
portlock seagull
Why? Why us?
- Jul 28, 2003
- 17,377
Seems fair and polite enough to me. Missed the bit about staff showing respect to paying customers and not lying or being rude to paying customers but then this is football and its all about control so 8/10 is best ever going to get
doogie004
Well-known member
and millwall
Ernest
Stupid IDIOT
Please adhere to Ground Regulations...
As a club playing in one of the top two divisions of English football, we are required to operate and compete in an all-seater stadium. Furthermore, our Ground Regulations require us to ensure spectators do not persistently stand in seated areas while play is in progress.
As such, like all clubs in the top two divisions in this country, our stadium management is constantly monitored by the FA and by other authorities. As part of this process, we are required to ensure that spectators do not persistently stand in seated areas while play is in progress.
In addition to the possible safety implications of spectators standing in seated areas or the inconvenience caused to fellow supporters not standing, clubs who do not comply with the regulations can face having their ground capacity reduced or receiving a severe financial penalty - or both.
Ultimately, our safety certificate - the licence which enables us to admit spectators to the Amex to watch our matches - could also be withdrawn. I am sure that you will appreciate that none of these scenarios are desirable or acceptable to our club or indeed to the overwhelming majority of Albion supporters.
Unfortunately, however, we have recently seen an increase in people standing for long periods of matches at the Amex, mainly in the North Stand. This has led to a number of complaints from other supporters who have been unable to see parts of the game creating inconvenience and, at times, unnecessary tension.
We therefore instructed our stewards to ask those supporters standing persistently during the match to take their seats during quieter periods of the games. We began this at our last game against Bristol City and the vast majority of supporters complied with our stewards’ polite requests - thank you for your help with this.
Unfortunately, however, a very small number of supporters refused to comply with our stewards' requests. As a result three individuals were ejected from the stadium at the Bristol City match. Regrettably, during this process, some of our stewards were subjected to verbal abuse and, sadly, in one case, a physical assault.
Verbal and physical abuse of our stewards is totally unacceptable and is not something we will tolerate at the Amex – or at any other stadium where our stewards are employed to ensure the safety and security of our supporters - under any circumstances. As such, we will be taking the strongest possible actions to eradicate this issue.
Any supporter engaged in this type of behaviour will be ejected from the stadium without warning and can expect a ban from the Amex that is likely to be measured in a number of years rather than a number of matches. It is also possible that anyone involved in such activity may face further action from the Police too.
We are of course well aware of the current debate regarding safe standing at football matches, but it's very important that all of our supporters fully understand the environment in which we have to operate at this time and which I broadly outlined at the start of this letter.
Recognising that some fans enjoy standing for critical parts of the match, supporters were advised when the Amex first opened that season ticket holders in the back four rows of the North Stand, although still fully governed by the same Ground Regulations, would be treated slightly differently from those seated further forward in this stand.
What this meant at that time - and what it still means now - is that stewards’ requests for those supporters in the back four rows of the North Stand to sit down are likely to be less frequent than they would experience in other areas of the North Stand or the rest of the stadium.
What it did not mean at the time – and doesn’t mean now - is that supporters in the back four rows can persistently stand, that there will be no stewards' requests for supporters in those rows to sit down once exciting periods of play have concluded, or that those stewards' requests for supporters to sit back down can be ignored.
Such limited and conditional flexibility is normally tolerated by the FA and by the authorities provided that it is well managed by the club and is not seen to be abused by supporters. Last season, such flexibility was appreciated by supporters and worked well. Unfortunately, in recent matches, this has not been the case.
In summary, we want a great atmosphere at the Amex and we want everyone to enjoy watching the match. However, it's important for everyone to please always remember and respect that we have a moral and legal responsibility to comply with - and fully discharge - our Ground Regulations.
We fully understand that many supporters around the stadium want to stand up at times of excitement and when getting behind the team, but we ask ALL our supporters, wherever they sit, to please:
- consider other supporters around you and re-take your seat once the moment of excitement has passed;
- comply with our stewards’ requests at all times, regardless of what may or may not be happening on the field;
- respect our staff at all times. The stewards are there for your safety, security and comfort - and many are fellow Albion fans.
Finally, and most importantly, we also have a duty of care for the safety and security of everyone in our Stadium - spectators and staff alike. This will always be of paramount importance to us and will always take precedence above anything else.
Thank you for your co-operation with this matter and for your continued support. It is very much appreciated.
As a club playing in one of the top two divisions of English football, we are required to operate and compete in an all-seater stadium. Furthermore, our Ground Regulations require us to ensure spectators do not persistently stand in seated areas while play is in progress.
As such, like all clubs in the top two divisions in this country, our stadium management is constantly monitored by the FA and by other authorities. As part of this process, we are required to ensure that spectators do not persistently stand in seated areas while play is in progress.
In addition to the possible safety implications of spectators standing in seated areas or the inconvenience caused to fellow supporters not standing, clubs who do not comply with the regulations can face having their ground capacity reduced or receiving a severe financial penalty - or both.
Ultimately, our safety certificate - the licence which enables us to admit spectators to the Amex to watch our matches - could also be withdrawn. I am sure that you will appreciate that none of these scenarios are desirable or acceptable to our club or indeed to the overwhelming majority of Albion supporters.
Unfortunately, however, we have recently seen an increase in people standing for long periods of matches at the Amex, mainly in the North Stand. This has led to a number of complaints from other supporters who have been unable to see parts of the game creating inconvenience and, at times, unnecessary tension.
We therefore instructed our stewards to ask those supporters standing persistently during the match to take their seats during quieter periods of the games. We began this at our last game against Bristol City and the vast majority of supporters complied with our stewards’ polite requests - thank you for your help with this.
Unfortunately, however, a very small number of supporters refused to comply with our stewards' requests. As a result three individuals were ejected from the stadium at the Bristol City match. Regrettably, during this process, some of our stewards were subjected to verbal abuse and, sadly, in one case, a physical assault.
Verbal and physical abuse of our stewards is totally unacceptable and is not something we will tolerate at the Amex – or at any other stadium where our stewards are employed to ensure the safety and security of our supporters - under any circumstances. As such, we will be taking the strongest possible actions to eradicate this issue.
Any supporter engaged in this type of behaviour will be ejected from the stadium without warning and can expect a ban from the Amex that is likely to be measured in a number of years rather than a number of matches. It is also possible that anyone involved in such activity may face further action from the Police too.
We are of course well aware of the current debate regarding safe standing at football matches, but it's very important that all of our supporters fully understand the environment in which we have to operate at this time and which I broadly outlined at the start of this letter.
Recognising that some fans enjoy standing for critical parts of the match, supporters were advised when the Amex first opened that season ticket holders in the back four rows of the North Stand, although still fully governed by the same Ground Regulations, would be treated slightly differently from those seated further forward in this stand.
What this meant at that time - and what it still means now - is that stewards’ requests for those supporters in the back four rows of the North Stand to sit down are likely to be less frequent than they would experience in other areas of the North Stand or the rest of the stadium.
What it did not mean at the time – and doesn’t mean now - is that supporters in the back four rows can persistently stand, that there will be no stewards' requests for supporters in those rows to sit down once exciting periods of play have concluded, or that those stewards' requests for supporters to sit back down can be ignored.
Such limited and conditional flexibility is normally tolerated by the FA and by the authorities provided that it is well managed by the club and is not seen to be abused by supporters. Last season, such flexibility was appreciated by supporters and worked well. Unfortunately, in recent matches, this has not been the case.
In summary, we want a great atmosphere at the Amex and we want everyone to enjoy watching the match. However, it's important for everyone to please always remember and respect that we have a moral and legal responsibility to comply with - and fully discharge - our Ground Regulations.
We fully understand that many supporters around the stadium want to stand up at times of excitement and when getting behind the team, but we ask ALL our supporters, wherever they sit, to please:
- consider other supporters around you and re-take your seat once the moment of excitement has passed;
- comply with our stewards’ requests at all times, regardless of what may or may not be happening on the field;
- respect our staff at all times. The stewards are there for your safety, security and comfort - and many are fellow Albion fans.
Finally, and most importantly, we also have a duty of care for the safety and security of everyone in our Stadium - spectators and staff alike. This will always be of paramount importance to us and will always take precedence above anything else.
Thank you for your co-operation with this matter and for your continued support. It is very much appreciated.
Meade's Ball
Well-known member
I hope that's a clear message for people that only the back 4 rows will be treated with greater leniency on this matter, but even they aren't entitled to be standing throughout a game. Stand when you are thrust to do so in a moment of excitement, and sit back down on the seat you've purchased until another event causes you to erupt with anticipation, delight or fury. Knuckleheaded rebel yells are neither attractive nor witty and can interfere with the game we're paying to watch, so i hope it's not endless ones of those tomorrow. It's not perfect, no, but i am not sure we buy anything with a clause in it promising perfection. Overall, it's very much good enough for me and i can't wait for kick-off, of the two teams and not the steward-supporter stand-off, tomorrow. Up the frigging Albion!!!
I have.
I shall apologise now if i get up and stand. Sometimes, i don't know what comes over me, i get excited and have this urge to stand up and cheer, clap and shout.
Iv'e had the same problem before at concerts....i don't know what comes over me.
I sit down when that urge passes, sometimes not for long, and sometimes i forget i am still standing up.
I brought a ST in the North Stand because i realised that i might have this problem.
I'm dealing with it though, and i hope to ween myself off this habit......it might take time though.
JBizzleBeard
Well-known member
Yea because you lose all ability to sing/chant/create an atmosphere when you have to sit down...I don't get it. Just sit down.
I believe they will be writing to northstanders.
But here are the programme notes anyway...
Standing in the North Stand - Page 8
Sure is.
Charlies Shinpad
New member
So how do the club define the word "Persistant" then ?
Twenty seconds ? One minute ? During the singing of GOSBTS Perhaps when the team first comes out ?
When we celebrate a goal at our end for a couple of minutes ??
Twenty seconds ? One minute ? During the singing of GOSBTS Perhaps when the team first comes out ?
When we celebrate a goal at our end for a couple of minutes ??
RM-Taylor
He's Magic.... You Know
- Jan 7, 2006
- 15,279
Which will never happen. In over 100 Albion away games (been going since I was 7/8) I've only ever been seated once and that was because there was an old bloke behind me with a walking stick.
EDIT: I've also been to the Amex twice, which I stood both times in the West Stand
Vegas Seagull
New member
- Jul 10, 2009
- 7,782
Can we have a sweepstake on how many Millwall fans are either made to sit or then ejected?
After all the club has now gone to print they MUST follow it up with action in the away end or they'll be seen to be a laughing stock
As this was my suggestion I'll have first dibs with 0 (zero)
After all the club has now gone to print they MUST follow it up with action in the away end or they'll be seen to be a laughing stock
As this was my suggestion I'll have first dibs with 0 (zero)
KJP
Well-known member
Pretty obvious what it means