The Stewarding 'problem'. The best way to resolve it?

[abc]

Issues with the conduct of the Stewards is clearly surfacing again. At Withdean it got of hand to such an extent that it severely damaged the atmosphere in the ground and the relationship between many loyal and sensible fans and the Club (and vice versa). It would surely be to the benefit of everyone (Fans, Club and Stewards) that a mutual understanding and respect is achieved before the same happens at the Amex.

The Club have Regulations to adhere to and rely on their Stewards to enforce them. If you feel that the Stewards are not doing this in the right way, behaving aggressively or even being dishonest as to how they describe situations, then may I suggest you write to Mr Barber and let him, politely, know your views. In this way he will have the information from both fans and stewards to be albe to make fair and rational decisions going forward.

The North Stand incident last night is a case in point. If an individual was indeed badly treated and a steward has lied about what was said or happened and you witnessed it then let Mr Barber know. That would be help the fan enormously but also the club.

There are a few fans that take things too far and no doubt a few stewards that do the same. But there is never any excuse for aggression or violence by fan or steward. Let the club know your concerns and give them the chance to find a way forward that is reasonable, measured and fair to all.

Thank you

 

[Da Man Clay]

The thing is, fans are seen as second class, so very little of what is sent to the club about stewards is pretty much ignored. Waste of time unfortunately.

 

[Monkey Man]

It looked like some people were filming the North Stand incident on their phones last night, so maybe some of that footage will back up (or contradict) the accounts of what happened.

Crazy to have a situation where police are marching into the stand.

 

[JJ McClure]

Remove the fat idiot steward that seemed to cause both incidents and retrain him as a toilet cleaner would be a start.

 

[pornomagboy]

Steward 744 is that the fat twats weight aka mr griffin shouldnt be allowed to man handle and push people as I am sure that is assullt and if the fan wanted could get the steward done

 

[Acker79]

The thing is, fans are seen as second class, so very little of what is sent to the club about stewards is pretty much ignored. Waste of time unfortunately.

Chants such as "get a proper job" would suggest the lack of respect is a two-way thing.

 

[LamieRobertson]

It looked like some people were filming the North Stand incident on their phones last night, so maybe some of that footage will back up (or contradict) the accounts of what happened.

Crazy to have a situation where police are marching into the stand.

merely an observation but was it that bad police had to get involved..didnt see any re the bolton incident up the other end and that appeared far worse

 

[hola gus]

And this needed a separate thread because.......

 

[The tall one]

Hi.
Just to confirm that police were involved in the Bolton incident.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Hi.
Just to confirm that police were involved in the Bolton incident.

ooooh ta for that ..i just never saw any ..but then i was watching match as one does

 

[Return of the Rev]

Seems the stewards were not backed up by the rozzers on Saturday so they gave it large last night

 

[BensGrandad]

Isnt the man in charge of stewarding Richard HEBBERD in which case if people have an issue with 1 or more stewards and their manner etc should he not be contacted and I am sure that our super high tech CCTV will be able to highlight any problems that may exist, but this can only happen if the club are aware of the problems.

 

[Gazwag]

Chants such as "get a proper job" would suggest the lack of respect is a two-way thing.

To be fair most of the stewards in the North Stand take all of this sort of chanting as banter and play along with it - I could point out at least 4 or 5 of the regular stewards who are very good at their job and treat fans with respect and have a dialogue with them. Sometimes some chants do go a bit too far but that doesn't seem to happen too often.

One lady steward in particular told us when she first appeared in our section (I think it was the Peterborough game) that she had been moved from her "comfy" position to sort "us" lot out and if we weren't careful we would be evicted - seems she has some sort of personal agenda to get back to her old position.

 

[Brovion]

And this needed a separate thread because.......

I guess because people want to discuss a solution, a way forward, rather than just rant about a specific incident.

 

[Acker79]

To be fair most of the stewards in the North Stand take all of this sort of chanting as banter and play along with it - I could point out at least 4 or 5 of the regular stewards who are very good at their job and treat fans with respect and have a dialogue with them. Sometimes some chants do go a bit too far but that doesn't seem to happen too often.

One lady steward in particular told us when she first appeared in our section (I think it was the Peterborough game) that she had been moved from her "comfy" position to sort "us" lot out and if we weren't careful we would be evicted - seems she has some sort of personal agenda to get back to her old position.

I think, generally speaking there is a good relationship on individual levels, but there are stewards who perhaps are a bit of a (and I hate this term, generally) jobsworth but there are also a few fans who are simply anti-authority/anti-steward and look for any excuse to challenge them.

I think when it becomes groups, the fans as a whole, there is a sense of "this is a football game, I should be allowed to stand/swear/do what I like and stewards are just part of that movement to take the game away from proper fans!" and so the idea some fans try to paint that fans are poor innocent victims, wanting to stick to the club and fa regulations but being forced into protesting for the rights of the common fan and having those protests taken as disobedience by stasi-like stewards is, imo, deceptive.

 

[88brighton]

I have heard from a particular steward that there were loads of them in the North last night as they we're going to kick everyone out. Yes EVERYONE in the north for standing. Only reason this was not done was because of the unfortunate incident that occured by the entrance to block B. They seem to think this will be happening in the next home game. How true I don't know but it is from one of the higher stewards in the West. Hope this is not the case as it will make things even worse between stewards and fans

 

[Brovion]

I have heard from a particular steward that there were loads of them in the North last night as they we're going to kick everyone out. Yes EVERYONE in the north for standing. Only reason this was not done was because of the unfortunate incident that occured by the entrance to block B. They seem to think this will be happening in the next home game. How true I don't know but it is from one of the higher stewards in the West. Hope this is not the case as it will make things even worse between stewards and fans

I haven't been in the North Stand yet this season, but IF what you say is true then maybe the North Stand could have a peaceful 'stand up' protest, sort of like an old-fashioned 1960s student 'sit-in' but, er, standing instead. No resistance, no arguing, just everybody stand and let them drag 'us' out (I say 'us' but I probably won't be there). Be interesting to see what happens after that.

 

[Captain Sensible]

Those stewards that are persistently involved in altercations with supporters over and above any other stewards, need to be retrained in the job and then made to re-apply for the job. If they don't come up to standards, they should be fired. It's a few North stand stewards that fall into that category. If the club deal with them, then the current situation should be resolved. They are stewards not bouncers outside the event.

 

[Triggaaar]

No resistance, no arguing, just everybody stand and let them drag 'us' out (I say 'us' but I probably won't be there).

I'm right behind you mate. He called you a ****! You're not going to take that are you?

 

[Doc Lynam]

I haven't been in the North Stand yet this season, but IF what you say is true then maybe the North Stand could have a peaceful 'stand up' protest, sort of like an old-fashioned 1960s student 'sit-in' but, er, standing instead. No resistance, no arguing, just everybody stand and let them drag 'us' out (I say 'us' but I probably won't be there). Be interesting to see what happens after that.

Direct action Gandhi style, i like it.