SYP & the policing of Bramall Lane

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Foxy

Foxy

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I was talking with a fan of a championship club the other week about the policing of their matches and how he wasn't particularly impressed with his local force and their handling of fans (home and away) on match days...

With talk of the Derby and the mention of the visit of the Pigs earlier this season (and the happenings just before kick off) and the tactics used with the Millwall fans recently discussed, I just wondered what people thought to the way SYP handle our matches on a weekly basis?

Without the police involvement every Saturday, we wouldn't be able to watch the game, so how do we think our lot are doing? What do they do well or indeed badly? and what could they do better?

I must say, I've had little involvement or cause to be annoyed with them during years of attending Bramall Lane, but wondered if anyone else had any opinions?
 



Set of cluless wankers. Look at the way pigs attacked shirters behind kop last derby match unchallenged by plod. Also look at the way people were treated coming out of the Sportsman so many years back. All bullied at school.
 
Ballinpigpubs13 said:
Set of cluless wankers. Look at the way pigs attacked shirters behind kop last derby match unchallenged by plod. Also look at the way people were treated coming out of the Sportsman so many years back. All bullied at school.
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That's two fairly well covered discussions though, in how many weeks of policing our games?
 
I remember SYP just watching the Wendy thugs try to intimidate our fans before the game on Shoreham, they stood there and watched it happen and when the fans had gone, then the riot van came!
 
But in how many of the other weeks have their services been called upon Goalz?

Many moons ago, when the Lord Nelson was our favourite drinking den, the OB used to rock up at about 2 oclock and corral all the drinkers stood outside (pub capacity, approx 12) indoors and shut the door - effectively barricading at least twice the capacity of the pub inside (sounds familiar). Twenty minutes later the vans would pull up in front of the windows and the away boys of the day (about 20 if it was WBA, few hundred if it was Sham) would be escorted past. Thing is, out of all the side streets twixt Station and Bramall Lane, this was the only one with a pub up it.

So, shit thick, or creating problems so they could look like they were solving them?
 
raul said:
But in how many of the other weeks have their services been called upon Goalz?
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Not suggesting otherwise or professing to know :)

Just looking for opinions/experiences.
 
I really wish the buggers would try filming the folk who need locking up instead of me eating a nasty burger (with onions).
 
raul said:
But in how many of the other weeks have their services been called upon Goalz?

Many moons ago, when the Lord Nelson was our favourite drinking den, the OB used to rock up at about 2 oclock and corral all the drinkers stood outside (pub capacity, approx 12) indoors and shut the door - effectively barricading at least twice the capacity of the pub inside (sounds familiar). Twenty minutes later the vans would pull up in front of the windows and the away boys of the day (about 20 if it was WBA, few hundred if it was Sham) would be escorted past. Thing is, out of all the side streets twixt Station and Bramall Lane, this was the only one with a pub up it.

So, shit thick, or creating problems so they could look like they were solving them?
Click to expand...

I still go in Fannys I remember when we were playing Forest (i think it was the Play Off Semi) they used the horses to move people from outside and the horse nearly ended up inside the pub not that there was any room for it.
I had a pop at the coppers at another game and asked them why they did it when there other streets they could use to take the away fans to the ground a thick ' Dunno' was the reply. I think Darren must have had a word as it stopped
 
I think they have gone for overkill with the derby games, limiting the number of away tickets, and the barracades that filter both sets of fans away separately is not a good idea as it creates another potential flashpoint furthur away where the supporters have to pass each other.

As a case in point i went from Bramall Lane to the Scholar in the derby match at the Lane and ran in to them in the underpass at St Mary's Gate, where i was spat at, and guess what, not a single police officer in sight.
 
Is this supposed to be a constructive thread about policing, or just an excuse for the usual suspects to relate their pathetic little anecdotes. Just wondered
 
SoccerCynic said:
Is this supposed to be a constructive thread about policing, or just an excuse for the usual suspects to relate their pathetic little anecdotes. Just wondered
Click to expand...

Long long ago, 1960 to be more accurate, the entire police presence for a league game at Hillsborough was nine constables and supervising officers spaced out along the perimiter. These were the officers on night duty who arrived at the ground 12.30p.m. and were paid for at special duty rates which were charged to the club. Other officers on morning duty were put on traffic points up to 3 p.m. when a further six or so officers would be deployed on match duties. This resulted in 2 hours overtime for each of those officers, again paid for by the club. At that time the weekly wage of Mr Plod was Nine pounds and eighteen shillings a week I know this through a little research I did some time ago. My How things have changed.
 
Anyone found a Teddy?
 
I think the Bradford game in the JPT was a good example of what frustrates people about SYP.

Before the game there was a sizeable police presence including a group of 4 or 5 officers engaging in the usual weekly activity of filming people drinking outside the Sportsman.

Immediately after the match, a group of about a dozen or so Bradford fans came up Bramall Lane giving it all the usual. I looked around for the police who'd been so visible before the game and they were nowhere to be seen. One Blade was knocked to the ground and took a right kicking, the Bradford fans then ran towards the Blades leaving the South Stand who were a mixture of families and a few old fellas and were clearly not interested. After spending a short time hurling abuse and 'offering out' a clearly disinterested bunch of Blades, they went bouncing back down the road singing 'Bradford Ointment'.

That's the frustration for me, the balance between the extensive, expensive presence and the ability to actually stop trouble on the rare occasions it does occur is totally wrong.

It would seem looking from the outside in that they'd rather get footage which can be used in banning order cases (it is sometimes enough to gain an order if they can prove that you drink with undesirables!) than stop any real trouble.

Other questions which I'd like answering:

Why is segregation at derby games more of an issue in Sheffield than anywhere else in the country? The measures in place for the sty on Feb 26th are beyond a joke.

What is the role of the police within Bramall Lane? The stewards make all the ejections and I can't recall seeing a copper getting involved. When the Birmingham fans were lobbing bottles into the South Stand, the police within the ground seemed to leave them to their own devices.

There must be loads of behind the scenes stuff which we don't see but I think thousands of pounds could be saved by replacing the police with a camera crew every week.
 
The objectives of the OB seem to have changed over the last 20 years or so. Now they are more interested in walking around with a camcorder filming everyone then passing on their "intelligence" to another set of plod masquerading as a specialist hooligan unit! They are not interested in preventing trouble or dealing with it when it happens.

I remember the ZDS game at Swillsborough, me and the old man went and there were plod everywhere actually doing something! We were escorted down and went through a couple of checkpoints where they were actually checking you had a ticket and then channelling you down a certain route to the ground. If you couldn't produce a ticket you were turned away. Not foolproof and I'm sure those that wanted to get down and cause mischief did but for the "shirters" at least you fealt as the SYP were actually doing something...
 



The whole temporary fence thing is the biggest pile of bollocks I've ever seen. Let's funnel all supporters into one specific point so they can clearly identify each other. The matchday policing has gone down the pan in the last 3-4 years, more concerned with poking cameras in people's faces then stopping flashpoints.

Ps - has anyone found that Teddy yet? :)
 
The first time I saw the police filming people as they queued to get in the ground was at QPR in the 1990's. This was before camera phones but someone had a camera with them and started taking pictures of the police in retaliation, which didn't go down very well but caused much amusement amongst United fans.
 
Did anyone see the article in the FSF magazine re me getting compensation for the Barnsley fan bit by a SYP dog at the Lane :-)
 
Current policing is, I'm sure, based on perceived and real intelligence received by the police. I think they have a difficult balance to make, get it wrong and they are, rightly so, called to account. This being the case they tend to, in my opinion, go for a more robust display than might truly be necessary.

We should also remember that they recruit from the general public, some of whom are bullies, thugs etc and some police officers do truly revel in the power and authority. I used to inspect police custody suites to ensure people were being detained according to the law, I met many, in fact the majority, of good decent police officers, however i did meet some right bast--ds.

Let's hope football is what makes the headlines at the 'massive'.'
 
Rodley said:
The whole temporary fence thing is the biggest pile of bollocks I've ever seen. Let's funnel all supporters into one specific point so they can clearly identify each other. The matchday policing has gone down the pan in the last 3-4 years, more concerned with poking cameras in people's faces then stopping flashpoints.

Ps - has anyone found that Teddy yet? :)
Click to expand...

I remember going to a 'big game' some years ago and having to show my ticket to a copper at the temporary fencing down Bramall Lane. "Do you take American Express?" quipped I.
"That'll do nicely" came the immediate reply "– but I still need to see your ticket". I showed him the ticket, we had a chuckle, and parted amicably.

On another occasion I walked past a small group of police men and women hanging around on Bramall Lane. One of them was a stunning blonde. "Wow!" thought I , until she opened her mouth and a stream of Barrack room language came out. Never judge a book by its cover.
 
I know of a lad that chucked a chicken drumstick at a passing car and hit a plod in the face allegedly. And they didn't catch him. That was near Bramall lane so it counts. If only the said plod had passed his fitness test?
 
The biggest cause for complaint I've had in recent years is the game last season against Millwall. I was walking from the Kop back towards town (up towards Devonshire Green) so naturally I was walking along John Street and then onto Bramall Lane. Now Bramall Lane was cordoned off, or at least there was a huge Police presence. However, not a single bloody Copper thought "Hang on a minute, if we block this off, people are going to find alternate roots. How about we put someone in St Mary's Courtyard in case?". However, it was left completely unpoliced, cue four Blades chasing down a Millwall fan and kicking his head in whilst he was on the floor.

I went up towards them to try and stop them (anyone who has seen me will know how hilarious that would be) but thankfully at the same time a Blade and his mates who looked like extras from Sons Of Anarchy had the same idea and the thugs dispersed. Eventually a Policewoman came to see what the fuss was about.

Now I understand the Police can't be everywhere at once, but it's common sense that by blocking Bramall Lane you're going to get increased traffic through St Mary's, there really should have been a copper or two there.
 
Rodley said:
The whole temporary fence thing is the biggest pile of bollocks I've ever seen. Let's funnel all supporters into one specific point so they can clearly identify each other. The matchday policing has gone down the pan in the last 3-4 years, more concerned with poking cameras in people's faces then stopping flashpoints.

Ps - has anyone found that Teddy yet? :)
Click to expand...

Are you old enough to be on this forum. Has mummy never told you not to throw your toys about...grow up boy. oops, nearly forgot the obligatory icon...:)

Take policing back 30 years, when there were sufficient cops to deal with the trouble makers. yes, they were mostly on overtime, weekend off or got up off nights. As personal stories seem to be the norm on here I'll give you my own. A recent home match...several so called United fans decided to smash up the seating. No police at all nearby and totally ignored by the stewards(who can blame them). 30 years ago the offenders would have been languishing in the cells as there would be dozens of cops in the ground. Dont blame the cops...blame the mindless thugs and yes, even those on here who thinks its clever to indulge in playground name calling. You know the ones...taunts such as "piggy" "sty" etc etc.

---------- Post added at 12:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------
Darren said:
Did anyone see the article in the FSF magazine re me getting compensation for the Barnsley fan bit by a SYP dog at the Lane :-)
Click to expand...
On what basis was the settlement. Not out of court settlement without admission of liability by any chance was it
 



SoccerCynic said:
Are you old enough to be on this forum. Has mummy never told you not to throw your toys about...grow up boy. oops, nearly forgot the obligatory icon...:)

Take policing back 30 years, when there were sufficient cops to deal with the trouble makers. yes, they were mostly on overtime, weekend off or got up off nights. As personal stories seem to be the norm on here I'll give you my own. A recent home match...several so called United fans decided to smash up the seating. No police at all nearby and totally ignored by the stewards(who can blame them). 30 years ago the offenders would have been languishing in the cells as there would be dozens of cops in the ground. Dont blame the cops...blame the mindless thugs and yes, even those on here who thinks its clever to indulge in playground name calling. You know the ones...taunts such as "piggy" "sty" etc etc.

---------- Post added at 12:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------


On what basis was the settlement. Not out of court settlement without admission of liability by any chance was it
Click to expand...

It was indeed. But the police don't hand out money on these cases unless they think they will lose.
 
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