North Stand Standing - message from removed fan

[Chinman3000]

I'm am posting this on behalf of my friend who was removed from the north stand section F (new, old C) on Saturday:

I received a letter from the club today advising that I was ejected
against Huddersfield on Saturday for inciting the crowd and refusing
to comply with Stewards instructions. The club have banned me for the
rest of this season, I can apply for a season ticket next season but I
am not allowed to get one in the north stand and have to have a
meeting with the safety officer and sign a behavioural agreement
first. I wasn’t arrested but was given notice to leave the premises
and escorted to the station by 2 police officers, I had no problems
with the police at all.

I firstly wanted to say that yes, I do know the rules around standing
and I know that I was not allowed to stand there. The reason I was
stood there is that I, and many others around me, have literally stood
there for 2 seasons now without sitting down (well, apart from once
when I had a huge hang over from the night before). We get the
occasional steward walking around asking people to sit down but we
have always stood without having any problems whatsoever.

I am in the front couple of rows of a large group of people who have
been season ticket holders for the last couple of years; we all speak
to each other, have a laugh and like a good sing whilst standing and
watching the Albion. I feel that if anyone had a problem with anybody
standing in the area that they would just ask us to sit down, I do not
think anyone would have problem with this. I have made some good
friends whilst I have been a season ticket holder in that area and
like to think a lot of people there also feel the same.

I don’t want to go into full detail on here as I do not know how it
could affect the appeal I plan to make against the severity of the
exclusion. People on here who were around at the time have explained
it pretty spot on in previous posts anyway. I just wanted to let
people know the situation as it has been asked a few times on here.

I have not got an account open here yet as it is awaiting moderation
so this is a friend’s account. A couple of people who were there have
said that they would be willing to help in my appeal, could I ask that
you PM my friend and I will certainly get back to you, it would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[terryberry1]

sit down shut up, sit down shut up

 

[Stat Brother]

Was your friend the fella in in the beige coat, desperate to incite the people around him to make a bad situation worse?

If he is he's done well to only miss 5 games and keep his S/T options.

 

[Chinman3000]

Was your friend the fella in in the beige coat, desperate to incite the people around him to make a bad situation worse?

If he is he's done well to only miss 5 games and keep his S/T options.

No, he was 3 places to the right of him nearer the aisle, black coat.

 

[murraymints4brighton]

Like I said in the previous thread I am happy to help in your appeal. I sit just up on the right from you and was the guy who came to warn you the steward mafia had gathered below! Absolute joke of a situation. In no way of deserving a ban.

 

[muvs]

My advice Chinman, knowing a number of banned Albion fans would be to contact Amanda Jacks at the Football Supporters Association. The treatment of fans by the Club has been some of the worst the FSA has come across in recent years.

I'm am posting this on behalf of my friend who was removed from the north stand section F (new, old C) on Saturday:

I received a letter from the club today advising that I was ejected
against Huddersfield on Saturday for inciting the crowd and refusing
to comply with Stewards instructions. The club have banned me for the
rest of this season, I can apply for a season ticket next season but I
am not allowed to get one in the north stand and have to have a
meeting with the safety officer and sign a behavioural agreement
first. I wasn’t arrested but was given notice to leave the premises
and escorted to the station by 2 police officers, I had no problems
with the police at all.

I firstly wanted to say that yes, I do know the rules around standing
and I know that I was not allowed to stand there. The reason I was
stood there is that I, and many others around me, have literally stood
there for 2 seasons now without sitting down (well, apart from once
when I had a huge hang over from the night before). We get the
occasional steward walking around asking people to sit down but we
have always stood without having any problems whatsoever.

I am in the front couple of rows of a large group of people who have
been season ticket holders for the last couple of years; we all speak
to each other, have a laugh and like a good sing whilst standing and
watching the Albion. I feel that if anyone had a problem with anybody
standing in the area that they would just ask us to sit down, I do not
think anyone would have problem with this. I have made some good
friends whilst I have been a season ticket holder in that area and
like to think a lot of people there also feel the same.

I don’t want to go into full detail on here as I do not know how it
could affect the appeal I plan to make against the severity of the
exclusion. People on here who were around at the time have explained
it pretty spot on in previous posts anyway. I just wanted to let
people know the situation as it has been asked a few times on here.

I have not got an account open here yet as it is awaiting moderation
so this is a friend’s account. A couple of people who were there have
said that they would be willing to help in my appeal, could I ask that
you PM my friend and I will certainly get back to you, it would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[kevo]

It seems extremely harsh. Hope your friend has his appeal upheld.

 

[Drumstick]

Going to the FSF straight away probably would help you situation given they are allowing you back elsewhere. I would attempt an appeal along with those on here who saw the situation and have offered there witness accounts.

 

[LukeOwen]

Not sure if this video was put in the other thread but at 1:45 you see a bit of what was going on. Guessing that is the guy in the beige coat?

Brighton Hove Albion v Huddersfield - YouTube

 

[Chinman3000]

Not sure if this video was put in the other thread but at 1:45 you see a bit of what was going on. Guessing that is the guy in the beige coat?

Brighton Hove Albion v Huddersfield - YouTube

That's a great video of it. Shame it isn't longer! Shows exactly what was said. Loads of people standing, one person singled out.

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

Its hard to make a decision on whether its harsh or not since near enough everyone doesnt know what exactly was said - words were certainly exchanged and it did get a bit heated, though others around getting in on it didnt help.

 

[Peever]

One thing that I still do not understand (and maybe ive missed something) but why is it the North Stand seems to be singled out? The back half of the away section seems t be standing without incident....when I got to Villa Park the entire middle of the Upper Holte is standing...along with 2-3k odd away fans. In the town end in Swindon....standing. I remember reading about the the club getting warnings etc about it from the league but surely other clubs have got them too and not much seems to be done about it..... How are the seats in the home end any different than those in the away end?

 

[Commander]

Interesting to see whether the club is still as happy to hand out bans to long term customers a few years down the line when we're back in the Championship with crowds of 12000-13000. My guess is they probably won't be.

 

[Commander]

I remember reading about the the club getting warnings etc about it from the league

Fairly sure this is actually bullshit. The stewards have told people this in the ground to get them to sit down, but when questioned on it the club haven't backed it up.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Interesting to see whether the club is still as happy to hand out bans to long term customers a few years down the line when we're back in the Championship with crowds of 12000-13000. My guess is they probably won't be.

Really can't see crowds ever getting as low as 13000 in the lifetime of the stadium.

 

[Stat Brother]

Interesting to see whether the club is still as happy to hand out bans to long term customers a few years down the line when we're back in the Championship with crowds of 12000-13000. My guess is they probably won't be.

As much as I see you point, I'm missing the relevance.

At this precise moment in Albion time, the club are holding all the aces (kings, queens, and jacks).
If you won't sit in their seat how they want, someone else gladly will, simple market forces.

People can fight it all they want, and some might even 'win' but it's not going to change the current situation.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

My advice Chinman, knowing a number of banned Albion fans would be to contact Amanda Jacks at the Football Supporters Association. The treatment of fans by the Club has been some of the worst the FSA has come across in recent years.

Is this true? Are they on the record as saying this?

 

[Aseros]

Man in the Beige Coat should be handed a life ban TBH.

 

[Aseros]

Is this true? Are they on the record as saying this?

No, when it comes to standing here, most people like to make stuff up.

 

[Peever]

Fairly sure this is actually bullshit. The stewards have told people this in the ground to get them to sit down, but when questioned on it the club haven't backed it up.

Which does not surprise me really. Every club in the country runs the risk of fines etc due to standing but from my expereicne at various grounds its really a non issue....so it seems odd that Brighton has been singled out (if even true)