Ipswich Town bans young fans over 'flying balls' fear

TomandJerry · Mar 12, 2015

"Young football fans are being banned from the lower tiers of Ipswich Town's ground after children were hit by "flying balls", the club said.

The Championship club said for "safety reasons" all under fives visiting Portman Road next season would have to sit higher up in the stands.

The move would only affect a "very small number" of people, the club said.

Supporter Richard Moss, who goes to the ground with four children, said being forced to move was "disappointing".

Ipswich said it had become concerned after seeing babies at matches."

A good idea (which might lead to an improved atmosphere some way) or saftey gone mad?

Green Cross Code Man · Mar 12, 2015

Safety gone mad. When have you ever heard of a child being seriously injured that way?

TomandJerry · Mar 12, 2015

Green Cross Code Man said:
Safety gone mad. When have you ever heard of a child being seriously injured that way?

Depends,

Ronaldo free-kick breaks boy's wrist at AFC Bournemouth

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-23443565

desprateseagull · Mar 12, 2015

So, adults are able to be hit, and that's OK..??

Gazwag · Mar 12, 2015

Bit like Charlton two years ago when they left the practice nets up giving half the away crowd a crap view because a ball might hit a disabled supporter

Blackadder · Mar 12, 2015

Can't remember if fans stand at Portman Road? If so, not good for youngsters pushed to the back.

pasty · Mar 12, 2015

Utterly, utterly ridiculous.

RandyWanger · Mar 12, 2015

If you're watching the game and not f**king about on your mobile phone then you could Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge out of the way.

Brovion · Mar 12, 2015

I accept that I'm an old dinosaur, but this can be added to the "I hate football" thread as another reason why me and the modern game are just about finished. I WAS hit in the face by a ball as a child (it was admittedly watching the amateurs at Lancing rather than the pro's but it still hurt!) and in those days (1960s) everybody just laughed - although the bloke who did it did come over to see if I was alright. And do you know what? Surprise, surprise, apart from a bit of stinging, I was.

What are the ramifications if this 'safety' measure is adopted by other clubs and organisations? Ban kids from grounds where they can't be housed out of harm's way?

Publius Ovidius · Mar 12, 2015

Compensation!

Tom Hark Preston Park · Mar 12, 2015

There was an old bloke in a flat cap in the North Stand earlier this season who appeared to be near-CONCUSSED when an inflatable football happened to bounce off his bonce. Multi-tasking steward then had to fetch him a (plastic) glass of water while attempting to maintain a straight face! :lol:

studio150 · Mar 12, 2015

Move all pensioners to higher tiers due to slow reactions. But as they may not be able to manage the stairs move them to lower tiers, can't due to stray football's. Ban them. Seriously how many times has anyone watching the Albion actually touched the matchball let alone be hit by it. Utter madness.

34064 Fighter Command · Mar 12, 2015

If it isn't safe for the kids, how can it possibly be safe for the players.

What next, Golf, Cricket, Tennis all going to follow suit?

Babies at football, I ask you. How hard can it be to organise a babysitter for 3 hours on a saturday afternoon.

supaseagull · Mar 12, 2015

Are they going to move disabled fans aswell?

Munkfish · Mar 12, 2015

Against Derby, the ball came into the crowd heading straight for someone a few rows infront of me, unfortunately they had weak wrists and could only palm the ball directly towards my face, luckily I have the reactions of a cat and flicked it over my head. the only problem the lady behind caught a face full of ball. Probably not for the first time, she looks a bit dirty.

Moshe Gariani · Mar 12, 2015

"First they came for the Under Fives..."

Notters · Mar 12, 2015

RandyWanger said:
If you're watching the game and not f**king about on your mobile phone then you could Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge out of the way.

Yes, under fives are well known for f**king about on their phones.

Eeyore · Mar 12, 2015

Tom Hark said:
There was an old bloke in a flat cap in the North Stand earlier this season who appeared to be near-CONCUSSED when an inflatable football happened to bounce off his bonce. Multi-tasking steward then had to fetch him a (plastic) glass of water while attempting to maintain a straight face!

I hope the plastic container didn't have a cap on it.. :ohmy:

AnotherArch · Mar 12, 2015

When my now grown-up lads started to go to football at the age of 4 or so, the only way they could see the game from the terraces was by standing by the wall on the front (or sitting on it if allowed). (Cr@p view for me, but I was only allowed to go if I took them.) Back then, being hit by any ball was just a natural risk, and being hit by, or touching the actual match ball, was an honour!

Thunder Bolt · Mar 12, 2015

One Nsc'er was knocked out by the ball at a pre-season friendly at Whitehawk. He was returning to his seat with drinks and went out cold.

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