E-mail from the club ref over zealous stewards

[MidlandSeagull69]

The Club is not introducing a policy of no atmosphere but what it is
doing,
as it has done for the last five years is to stop inconsiderate
behaviour
and to comply with its safety obligations.
At Tuesday's match only two people were officially warned. Both of
these
were observed standing for considerable lengths of time whilst those
around
sat and those behind were forced to stand to see the game. There is no
intention to stop people singing or supporting the team. It seems
strange
equation that produces the result that only those who stand can sing or
support the team!
The only place where the Club has difficulties with the all seater
policy is
in Blocks H & J where it seems to have become a matter of principle for
a
small minority to stand. This ignores the wishes of the majority in
that
area to see the game. The Club fortunately receives very few complaints
despite the restraints of Withdean, the majority of those it does
receive
are from people who have bought tickets in that area but have been
unable to
see the game because of the persistently boorish behaviour of a small
number
in front of them. This is particularly disconcerting when children or
those
less able to stand for long periods have had their days spoilt.
There is some truth in the rumour you mention, with a nationwide effort
being made to restrict persistent standing. The Club has made
announcements
in the past and has issued letters to those in H & J Blocks, this is
nothing
new. There will be a statement in Saturday's programme and a letter
will be
given to everyone in H & J Blocks outlining the issues and explaining
the
Club's position.

Yours sincerely

Richard Hebberd
Operations Manager

 

[CHAPPERS]

At least they are responding to the SELFISH behaviour of those in H and J blocks.

 

[JJ McClure]

Jeez, so basically shut up and sit down because you're being inconsiderate and boorish (not even sure what that means).
If they don't want people to stand they should do away with the singing section and rename it the twiddle your thumbs section instead.
After Saturday I might give up going to home games

 

[Minghawk]

sit down and yet still sing?
now there's a thought

 

[Buckingham]

sit down and yet still sing?

Steady on thats not possible is it...

 

[Lush]

Steady on thats not possible is it...

No. As everyone knows - the vocal cords are de-activated as soon as the buttock muscles are placed into contact with a hard surface.

 

[Lush]

New chant?

Sit down sing up, sit down sing up.

 

[Brighton till i die]

they really are trying to get every one who creates an atmosphere to completely f*** off going to home games - i for one, would much rather see ALL away games and only a couple at that shit hole piecve of shit excuse for a home ground - the stewards and the f***ing FA can shove their "seating" law up their arse!

 

[Eggmundo]

I sit at the back, no one behind me.
Does that mean I'm allowed to stand?

 

[the full harris]

they really are trying to get every one who creates an atmosphere to completely f*** off going to home games - i for one, would much rather see ALL away games and only a couple at that shit hole piecve of shit excuse for a home ground - the stewards and the f***ing FA can shove their "seating" law up their arse!

totally agree.

 

[Brighton till i die]

totally agree.

Ta!

 

[JJ McClure]

totally agree.

Ditto

 

[Storer68]

they really are trying to get every one who creates an atmosphere to completely f*** off going to home games - i for one, would much rather see ALL away games and only a couple at that shit hole piecve of shit excuse for a home ground - the stewards and the f***ing FA can shove their "seating" law up their arse!

Then f*** off and let someone who does want to watch the team at home sit in your seat.

 

[Brighton till i die]

Then f*** off and let someone who does want to watch the team at home sit in your seat.

like i said mate, i would rather go to the away games - not that i am any less a fan than you - just get f***ed off with the shit we have to put up with there - its bollox.

 

[Easy 10]

To be fair, I think they are referring to people who remain standing for long periods of the game. Most reasonable people shouldn't have a problem with fans standing up and singing/chanting and then sitting back down again. Where it becomes a problem is when people arrive at their seat with no intention of using it, and remain standing for most of the game whether they are singing/chanting or not.

There's been plenty of away games I've been to where fans have remained standing in the away end en-masse (I've been one of them), but I think you have to go with the majority rule. At home games most fans do use the seats, therefore if a minority choose not to then its bound to cause aggravation, as the people sat behind either have to follow suit and stand, or sit there staring at someones back (or risk getting a mouthful when they ask the person to sit down).

Just have a bit of consideration is all the club is asking - that doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

 

[JJ McClure]

Article on the official site now, McGhee calling for fans to get behind the team.
We'd love to Mark, but can you tell the stewards to f*** off!

 

[Brighton till i die]

easy - that is very true mate - it is f***ing great away from home cos you can normally generate a good atmosphere and the "singers and standers" can all group together.

Withdean is no comparrrisson to the goldstone and that is where it is a shame that we now have to endure that place as our home ground, comparred to the "north stand" days.

 

[JJ McClure]

Do grounds in "The Campionship" have to be all seater?
If not then rather than 2000 extra seats would it not be better to build a terrace behind the goal to keep everybody happy?
Just a thought, sorry.

 

[Brighton till i die]

would be f***ing marvelous if possible!!
i'd be well happy to go then!

 

[Gazwag]

At all clubs you get the supporters who are:

1. Singers who are there to enjoy themselves and support the club

2. Fans who are there to support the club and enjoy the odd song and shout when; we score; the is a bad decision; the opposition do a bad tackle etc

3. Moaners

4. Families

Sadly, the Withdean cannot accommodate all of these fans together.

I have been 1, 2 occasionally 3 but now 4

I don't get to games often, but last year got tickets for J block on two occasions and had to stand throughout the game. Whilst that didn't bother me or the wife it was difficult for our 10 year old daughter to see. She could if she stood on the seat, but was told not to by the stewards.

We didn't get a choice of where to sit as we where given what was left.

On other occasions we have got tickets for the family section (Tue & tomorrow) which is ok but the view is nowhere as good as further along.

Basically what I am saying is the Withdean is hopeless for everybody to enjoy the match no matter which category supporter you are. It would have been far better to have no seats on the south bank and everybody sat/stood where they wanted and similar groups of supporters to accumulate together.

WHEN we get falmer, no doubt the first season will be similar to Withdean until like for like supporters eventually all end up together and things can return to how it should be.