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safety certificate - the licence which enables us to admit spectators to the Amex to watch our matches - could also be withdrawn.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.
Original article
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.
Original article