Disgusting stewards and their pathetic excuses. (9 Viewers)

[Glenn Storer]

fair enough but did everyone need to go running down the stand. my kid no longer wants to go back to the ricoh as he is scared. how many more parents will not bother coming up in future. i am sure i am not the only parent to be not coming again until this dies down. If this continues we will see the crowds dwindle more than they already are.

I urg EVERYONE PLEASE STOP THE VIOLENCE and lets concentrate on football again.

we are in real danger of losing future fans because of this.

Violence? This wasn't the heydays of hooliganism ricoh, this was Police over-reaction and tempers over-running. This isn't going to happen every week, I'd be bloody well surprised if anything like that happens at the Ricoh again in the next 10 years. It's an isolated incident on the scale of the reaction from fans but it speaks volumes about City fans despite bickering being unified against perceived injustices. You should make a complaint to West Midlands Police if your kid was hurt.

 

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[Macca]

And that justifies perhaps damaging this guys hands seriously? What if it's his livelihood? Perhaps he'd just had one too many, we've all been there. Don't wanna defend thugs and idiots in town cause I've seen all that, but just a point to think on maybe. I'm just wound up after today haha.

If he was of those types who can't enjoy a night out without selfishly spoiling everybodies fun then drag him around by his bollocks as far as I am concerned.

 

[pusbccfc]

I didnt see anyone from the top half of 15+16 run down?

 

[DcfcMan]

My brother was one of the fans in block 27 with the SISU out sign and he was one of the few that was not kicked out. Now before you all starting saying 'it distracts the lads, they should be doing it outside the ground' they were barely heard before the stewards decided to get power happy. The man in the suit was talking to them for a while and stated that he agreed with their view point but he was doing his job which is fair enough, but his excuse was that the sign did not have a fire safety certificate and therefore would have to removed, they argued the point that the chances of the derby flag having a certificate was low but in response they said that the derby one had a certificate which I find hard to believe. My brother then asked that if the sign said 'we love coventry' would they moan about it and they said that they would remove that too, which again I find hard to believe. I heard on the radio people saying that it may have been to do with the fact it was in with the crowd and this is why the derby flag was allowed. But when asked of the SISU out sign could be put where no fans were sitting they said no. Now one of the people they were with is one of the most non violent people you can meet and for the stewards to treat him the way they did is disgusting. He pays for his ticket, he doesn't get paid to
Be there like the stewards so I'm sure they would expect him to not want to be chucked out, but that's no excuses
To push and shove him and others down the stairs, also other cov fans simply got involved because of the way other fans were treated and they to were pushed and shoved. It's disgusting the way they treated the fans today and to put it simply, I'm blaming SISU, if they sold the club all of this would never have happened, well maybe it would if the new owners turned out to be the same anyway.


SISU and stewards out.

Hi guys, Dcfc fan here. Just reading your forums to decipher what happened in the stand to our right. Just to clear up our main flag, it has a full fire certificate and all the necessary clearances. It was bought by fans through donations and there is one man who looks after it. He speaks to all away teams prior to games and has to organise for it to come so that'll be why Coventry didn't have a problem with it. If you wanted any advice about flags/fire certificates or anything then he's on twitter (dcfc_flagman I think) and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help you.

I feel your pain over SISU. They tried to buy us from the 'three amigos'. They were 3 crooks who has since visited prison for committing fraud whilst in charge of the club, and SISU were their preferred bidders. However, the RPG (Rams Protest Group) pushed through for a local consortium to take over. Protests they did included; laying a wreath outside to signify the death of the club if the 3 amigos stayed in power, 'red card' days with thousands of red cards handed out to fans to hold up to the board, chanting, peaceful protests outside, local media support, petitions, banners (not confiscated, but only one or two noted by myself) and other things too. I hope this helps., but if you're creative I'm sure you can get media support. All publicity isn't good publicity for SISU.

Good luck for the season guys (except the obvious). Felt a draw was appropriate today but knew the first goal would win it and felt the ref had an absolute mare as it was never a penalty...was it!? (view from the away end, but we had sheer disbelief at the decision so feel free to correct!)

Dcfc X

 

[kingharvest]

I don't think we should let what happened today lie. Forget about the legalities of bringing a banner in - the police in block 15 were in the wrong by the sounds of it, and certainly the stewards in the CET stand were in the wrong to throw out people because of the banner.

As people have said, if it had been ignored it would have died down - they created this situation today. Can we not all email the club/telegraph and make sure that this issue is not brushed under the carpet or blamed on the fans.

 

[Glenn Storer]

I don't think we should let what happened today lie. Forget about the legalities of bringing a banner in - the police in block 15 were in the wrong by the sounds of it, and certainly the stewards in the CET stand were in the wrong to throw out people because of the banner.

As people have said, if it had been ignored it would have died down - they created this situation today. Can we not all email the club/telegraph and make sure that this issue is not brushed under the carpet or blamed on the fans.

Already emailed FSF, Telegraph and Club will get one on Monday morning. Doubt much will be done mind.

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

Hi guys, Dcfc fan here. Just reading your forums to decipher what happened in the stand to our right. Just to clear up our main flag, it has a full fire certificate and all the necessary clearances. It was bought by fans through donations and there is one man who looks after it. He speaks to all away teams prior to games and has to organise for it to come so that'll be why Coventry didn't have a problem with it. If you wanted any advice about flags/fire certificates or anything then he's on twitter (dcfc_flagman I think) and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help you.

I feel your pain over SISU. They tried to buy us from the 'three amigos'. They were 3 crooks who has since visited prison for committing fraud whilst in charge of the club, and SISU were their preferred bidders. However, the RPG (Rams Protest Group) pushed through for a local consortium to take over. Protests they did included; laying a wreath outside to signify the death of the club if the 3 amigos stayed in power, 'red card' days with thousands of red cards handed out to fans to hold up to the board, chanting, peaceful protests outside, local media support, petitions, banners (not confiscated, but only one or two noted by myself) and other things too. I hope this helps., but if you're creative I'm sure you can get media support. All publicity isn't good publicity for SISU.

Good luck for the season guys (except the obvious). Felt a draw was appropriate today but knew the first goal would win it and felt the ref had an absolute mare as it was never a penalty...was it!? (view from the away end, but we had sheer disbelief at the decision so feel free to correct!)

Dcfc X

Cheers for the support mate. I'll be honest, I think CCFC deserved the points today-we had the better chances. But I'll agree with you that it was NEVER a penalty-I didn't even appeal! Ref was poor, but I say that every week really.

 

[Mumford and Daughter]

Ricohforver if your going to moan about violence then write a complaint to the police not on here. I was in block 15 and the actions by the police were wrong. I seen a lady with a walking stick getting pushed by the police. Is she a hooligan? All us fans did was stand up to ourselves!

I feel like a nazi at the moment with SISU as hitler! Freedom of speech nowhere and police officers flaunting the law.

 

[Otis]

Ricohforver if your going to moan about violence then write a complaint to the police not on here. I was in block 15 and the actions by the police were wrong. I seen a lady with a walking stick getting pushed by the police. Is she a hooligan? All us fans did was stand up to ourselves!

I feel like a nazi at the moment with SISU as hitler! Freedom of speech nowhere and police officers flaunting the law.

Why is he going into Block 15 with his young son? Wonder just how old he is. It can get quite rowdy in there and there are the odd one or two arrests or evictions during some games.

 

[Lord_Nampil]

Everton had a
Peaceful protest before there game with villa! They had proper banners as well no bed sheets! My personal thought is if people would like to protest then please do it before the game! Who ever is right and wrong, 90 mins of football is what matters and again it did affect the players on the pitch! Clingan was watching it while the rams nicked the ball off him!!

A peaceful protest not during a game is what the anti sisu guys need to do! Fighting with cops live on sky is not acceptable and doesn't look good on us even if the reason for it was because of the actions of stewards and cops!

 

[Macca]

Ricohforver if your going to moan about violence then write a complaint to the police not on here. I was in block 15 and the actions by the police were wrong. I seen a lady with a walking stick getting pushed by the police. Is she a hooligan? All us fans did was stand up to ourselves!

I feel like a nazi at the moment with SISU as hitler! Freedom of speech nowhere and police officers flaunting the law.

worst historical analogy ever but I take the point

to be fair I wouldn't take my young lad in Block 15. Yeh I know its a pretty lame area really but at his age he is quite impressionable

 

[valiant15]

How are shitsu gonna see a protest outside nampil you jelly?

 

[GaryPendrysEyes]

I have a question?
Why do SOME cov fans always try and stir pointless things into something major. Problem is your on someones property and you have to abide by the rules? what would you do if someone came into your house with a banner directed at you? Think about it. we as fans should protest outside the ground in a peaceful manner. what I saw today was a disgrace. PPL from top of the block running down to join in. MINDLESS if you ask me. I agree something needs to done in regards to the board but embarrassing ourselves in front of the camaras is not the way to go.

PUSB

This is so dumb it has to be a wind up. For starters SISU dont own the stadium-- it was a low key peaceful protest handled with violence by police and steward halfwits.

 

[Pigeon]

What happened at yesterdays game was completely unnecessary and was dealt with just as pathetically or if not worse than the protest at the last home game.
The police acted in a disgusting way that only made the situation more tense and angry than it already was towards them after the disgraceful way fans were treated previously. We all know that if a flag or banner with an anti-SISU slogan on it would never be approved to come into the ground.
I wouldn't mind this if SISU owned the bloody place!
Also several of us where we sat in block 18 with a clear view of event noticed the cowardly tactics of the stewards after the violence by increasing the number of female stewards/ officers in that area.
It's just ridiculous that the club think that we have so many fans in such great spirits at the moment that it's fine discouraging them from coming to the club and not allowed to voice their opinion or anger that they pay their hard earned money to watch something they love being ruined.
The people with the banners looked quite young as well so they should think about the future supporters of this club not returning.

 

[mattylad]

I spoke with the police at half time on the concourse under 15 and just like Wenger this one had some how missed the incident hmmmmmm....anyway I said about banners and he confirmed that regardless of whether it carries a fire certificate the stewards have the right to remove any where they don't like the wording. The only way to do it is to have seven of you have a letter printed on a t shirt each SISU OUT

 

[wingy]

This is so dumb it has to be a wind up. For starters SISU dont own the stadium-- it was a low key peaceful protest handled with violence by police and steward halfwits.

Sorry if i'm regurgitating something already expressed ,hav'nt read all on here today due ,lack of sleep ,headache sorethroat ,from vocal overide at the match ,may get shot down ,am no fan of sisu,and did join in the chorus when the stadium management made ttheir weekly fuax pas ,the fans have been treated in afairly derogatory way since we moved in,but i think we are being naive if we think sisu are ordering these actions.the staff in the ground are employed through ACL,possibly sublet through compass group.in the telegraph stand aguy in a suit spent at least ten to fifteen minutes trying to get the lads to take down the banner before stewards got involved,so from that end they tried lowkey efforts .i don't think there should be any problem over banners ,regardless over any pedantic fire issues ,the real issue is the none ownership of the ground,and ACL operating a vision of how to run events , and they take low view on footy fans ,enforcing schemes that are seldom popular or convenient for us ,having attended their other events the seem alot more tolerant at the concerts allowing allsorts urine ,bottle throwing ,bottle kicking melees in the stadium,with no effort at all to curtail it .we are there soft target ,there captive cashcow ,and we get their contempt,the stadium is the prize for this football club ,as it will secure the future of the club longterm ,something anything done on the pitch can never achieve ,with its ups and downs fans coming fans going, managers coming and going ,and the same for owners and managers.:thinking about:

 

[Changeyourface]

It made for a much better atmosphere though, it's about time the police and stewards realised that they can't act like arseholes and get away with it

 

[mattylad]

I think the picture says it all, the chap deliberately kept his hands together at this stage so they couldn't say he was assaulting them. This was seconds after they had pushed him into the seats, he was dragged back up in a highly dangerous neck hold and it was these two things that insighted the crowd to come to his aid. I am not anti police but those involved should all be hugely embarassed by this incident and owe both this man and the crowd in that area an apology.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

View attachment 719 I think the picture says it all, the chap deliberately kept his hands together at this stage so they couldn't say he was assaulting them. This was seconds after they had pushed him into the seats, he was gragged back up in a hugely dangerous neck hold and insighted the crowd to come to his aid. I am not anti police but those involved should all be hugely embarassed by this incident and owe both this man and the crowd in that area an apology.

The guy in the glasses is like

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

In reference to that picture there is a little boy sitting with his parents and obviously he is going to be scared. This isn't good for what is a family club and I hope we don't see any more of this as it will inevitably drive fans away from the Ricoh.
A bit of common sense and this could have all been prevented.

 

[Changeyourface]

In reference to that picture there is a little boy sitting with his parents and obviously he is going to be scared. This isn't good for what is a family club and I hope we don't see any more of this as it will inevitably drive fans away from the Ricoh.
A bit of common sense and this could have all been prevented.

I'd hardly describe Coventry as a family club, maybe more so since we've moved to the shitty Ricoh but still wouldn't class as us as a family club.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I'd hardly describe Coventry as a family club, maybe more so since we've moved to the shitty Ricoh but still wouldn't class as us as a family club.

Maybe not but more displays like that and people will inevitably stay away from the Ricoh. That is not what we need at this time, we need as many fans as possible up the Ricoh.

 

[coundonskyblue]

I'd hardly describe Coventry as a family club, maybe more so since we've moved to the shitty Ricoh but still wouldn't class as us as a family club.

Of course were a family club. We must be the definition of a family club.

I would say 99% of us on here were introduced to Coventry City by an older relative.

 

[sw88]

I hope the CET use this picture, like they went through a phase of getting their stories from our posts!! This confirms imo it was the police who were at fault. I am assuming that this was early on in the incident, and would confirm why other fans got involved. A general member of the public doing this would get arrested for ABH or GBH, i forget which one has intent on causing injury as this coppers actions imo had the intention of causing injury.

I hope the copper gets identified with or without his number on his uniform, and gets dealt with accordingly.

 

[Lets all sing together]

In reference to that picture there is a little boy sitting with his parents and obviously he is going to be scared. This isn't good for what is a family club and I hope we don't see any more of this as it will inevitably drive fans away from the Ricoh.
A bit of common sense and this could have all been prevented.

Family club ?? what planet are you on ? have you ever been to a football match before ?

 

[Lets all sing together]

Of course were a family club. We must be the definition of a family club.

I would say 99% of us on here were introduced to Coventry City by an older relative.

Yes I agree - we're the definition of a family club , but family has many interpretations

 

[Changeyourface]

Of course were a family club. We must be the definition of a family club.

I would say 99% of us on here were introduced to Coventry City by an older relative.

By that definition every club in the country is a family club. But the term "family club" is more often used to describe horrible, modern, tinpot clubs like.. Fulham, Reading etc. If Coventry ever became a "family club" I don't think I'd be able to keep going, it wouldn't be the same club that I've grew up supporting.

 

[wingy]

Of course were a family club. We must be the definition of a family club.

I would say 99% of us on here were introduced to Coventry City by an older relative.

Careful how you word it Coundon or there will be comparisons made with fester:guitar2:

 

[Ashdown]

Good grief, this foreverRicoh character is a prize fool isn't he?? He takes a young kid into the rowdiest part of the ground { when the rest is all but fucking empty} and complains when the most passionate of our support are needlessly provoked and react to a bunch of uniformed individuals who at first looked like they were spoiling for a dust up, picking on a couple of guys for what exactly....???? Soon scattered though didn't they when the numbers evened up!!!
SISU OUT !!!!!!
PUSB

 

[skyblu3sk]

I'm Sure this guy would be interested in this picture http://twitter.com/#!/kerryblakeman

 

[operationprem]

Forevericoh what an idiot police stared a fight out of nothing an we are called mindless hooligans for protecting our own....you have no place at the ricoh

 

[skyblu3sk]

This was the response from the Chief inspector for Coventry "@Skyblu3sk @Coventry_Police Officers should display their numbers at all times, I will speak to the Bronze commander who was in charge." To another lady that was complaining he said "@marieluc please feel free to e mail me [email protected] I would like to know more details, Kerry"

 

[chiefdave]

Did anyone hear the chap who was made to go on the radio to explain what had happened. He claimed it was the same rule at all grounds and that there would be no problem with a banner with the proper certificate. He was repeatedly asked how supporters could get a certificate but wouldn't answer. He did say any banner that was professionally made would come with one. Also said bedsheets would never get a certificate as they aren't safe!


Couple of things here. There’s no law or even a H&S recommendation that says you need a fire certificate for a banner. Therefore it’s down to the ground regulations. Unfortunately I can’t check them as it seems the only place they are displayed is by the turnstiles. If anyone wants to pop down and take a look I’d be very interested to see what is on there. It’s certainly not the same at all grounds, for example there was no problem with whoever put up the large SISU out banner at Palace – sure they didn’t have a certificate and permission in advance.
Surely the overriding priority for stewards when it comes to enforcing H&S is to maintain a safe environment, what they have done at the last 2 games could very well of caused a lot more trouble than it did so in my opinion they aren’t doing their job. How many people that witnessed what happened will now not return, we’re hardly in a position where we want to be scaring fans from coming to the games!


Popped in to Fratton Park today, as it’s at the end of my road. The receptionist looked at me like I’d gone mad when I asked if I could speak to someone about H&S requirements for fans banners. She put me onto someone there who told me the only restrictions they have are that it can’t be offensive, advertising or put somewhere that causes a safety issue (like blocking a walkway). I pushed on what was classed as offensive and asked if a protest banner would come under that and was told they have never had a policy of confiscating banners protesting against club ownership or management. I asked him about the bell and was told the only reason they seek permission for that is that some clubs won’t allow musical instruments or anything that makes noise in the ground. I mentioned about bedsheets not being safe and he laughed and said if they were that much of a fire risk why aren’t people going up in flames every night!


I’m not particularly on the SISU out wagon, although every time someone from the club is on the radio or releases a statement I go more that way, but I’m tempted to call their bluff and get a banner professionally made with a fire certificate and ask for permission to display it, would be interesting to see their response.

 

[Cov4]

BBC midlands news are doing a brief piece on events in a minute.

 

[Sub]

http://www.ccfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10269~2448391,00.html

CCFC statement on the offal