Changes for the coaches

[Linz]

Just got a letter through the post:

Dear Blade

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your much valued support of Sheffield United Football Club and to inform you of the following.

As a user of our Official Away Blade Coach transport this season, I am writing to advise you that from the Burnley Away game on Saturday April 18th and until further notice, the following changes are being introduced.

Sheffield United Football Club continue to ensure that the Club complies with safeguarding procedures and to make sure that all young supporters travelling on the Official Away Blade transport are properly supervised.

Therefore, from the Burnley away game on Saturday April 18th, Juniors aged under 16 will not be allowed to travel on the Away Blade coaches without a responsible adult aged 25 or over.

A maximum of two juniors under 16 may travel with a responsible adult providing a Parental Consent Form is completed and returned to Sheffield United Football Club when booking Away Blade travel.

May I also bring to your attention the enclosed details regarding the strict No Alcohol Policy on the Away Blade coaches.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this letter, please ring me on 0114 2213131.

Once again, many thanks for your continued support, on and off the pitch, it is appreciated I can assure you.

Regards

Mick Rooker

Alcohol on Away Blade Coaches

To ensure that we comply with s1(1) of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985, as amended by the Public Order Act 1986, which prohibits the carriage of alcohol on a PSV that is being used for the principle purpose of carrying passengers for the whole or part of a journey to or from a designated sporting event. [Linz: Is it me, or does that not read right?]

There will be random searches made by our Matchday Stewards to check that no alcohol is being taken on the coach. If any alcohol is found on any person they will not be allowed to travel and a refund for the coach will not be given.

Plastic bottles containing soft drinks may be taken on the coach, providing the seal has not been broken.

Under no circumstances are sports drinks containers or glass bottles allowed to be taken on the coach.

I hope you understand why these conditions have been brought in as it is within the right of any Police force throughout the country to turn around any coach that is travelling to a football game with alcohol on board. This would affect every passenger.

Whilst you are travelling on the Away Blade coaches I would be grateful if you could respect other passengers by not playing music too loudly, or using obscene or abusive language.

Anyone not following the simple instructions above will be barred from using the Away Blade coaches for life.

All well and good... but what about people who annoy you who aren't aged under 16, playing music or using abusive language?

 

[Samantha]

So... that would mean that I have only just reached the responsible age of 25 to take someone under16 to an away game?!

That's stupid!! What's wrong with an 18 year old, or are 18 year olds no longer classed as adults?

 

[shorehamview]

So... that would mean that I have only just reached the responsible age of 25 to take someone under16 to an away game?!

That's stupid!! What's wrong with an 18 year old, or are 18 year olds no longer classed as adults?

Most 18 year olds are rather immature. Would you let the average 18 year old lad on a coach in charge of an under 16 year old? I wouldn't.

 

[keenzy]

Most 18 year olds are rather immature. Would you let the average 18 year old lad on a coach in charge of an under 16 year old? I wouldn't.

not even me?

 

[shorehamview]

not even me?

You're not fit to be in charge of yourself, never mind kids too.

 

[The One]

You're not fit to be in charge of yourself, never mind kids too.

That's what child services keep saying to him.

 

[Linz]

That's what child services keep saying to him.

He did claim she said she was 16 though

 

[shorehamYY168]

i think this is a disgraceful move by the club which will drive away the already dwindling away support we have how can we give free tickets to juniors one minute then effectively ban them from away matches the next.this post is from a 21 year old who has taken his 15 year old brother to every away game this season on away blade coaches, so we can no longer travel what a joke,i can smoke,drink and vote but cant take my brother to an away match one word pathetic

 

[metalblade]

Tough shit too if you have more than two kids, more PC shit to brighten our days. Instead of penalising the innocent why not clamp down on the ones that cause the problems I mean if they are on an Away day coach they should be easily identified.

 

[Linz]

Instead of penalising the innocent why not clamp down on the ones that cause the problems I mean if they are on an Away day coach they should be easily identified.

I think that is where the major problem lies for United.

The away blade coaches are staffed by volunteers and the only benefit they get from it is free travel. They are unlikely to challenge anyone causing trouble because they don't want the hassle.

I know Keenzy was on a coach where someone was drinking booze a few weeks ago... they couldn't do anything.

 

[shorehamYY168]

Tough shit too if you have more than two kids, more PC shit to brighten our days. Instead of penalising the innocent why not clamp down on the ones that cause the problems I mean if they are on an Away day coach they should be easily identified.

exactly why not put seat numbers on coach tickets? then if anything did happen the stewards wouldnt have to confront the individual they could just report them to the club.then they could take action against people causing the problem rather than imposing a "blanket" solution that affects everyone
is mick rooker the new hitler?

 

[Linz]

is mick rooker the new hitler?

Hahaha... slightly harsh.

I don't know anyone who does more in the interests of Blades fans than Mick Rooker and I get the feeling from reading elsewhere that he is as exasperated with the situation as anyone else. What he has said is that the coaches are a privilege, not a right... but I don't agree in a blanket ban.

What about those under 25 who have children? Are they not allowed to take their own child on a coach? I think like we spoke about HERE... having a photo ID card is a lot of hassle but might go some way to identifying the dick heads.

You get a photo ID card for the season and are issued tickets for each coach journey as you are now. As you get on the coach, your ID card and your ticket are inspected and if the ID card isn't you, you don't get to travel.

If Costco can do it, why can't Sheffield United!?

 

[shorehamYY168]

Hahaha... slightly harsh.

I don't know anyone who does more in the interests of Blades fans than Mick Rooker and I get the feeling from reading elsewhere that he is as exasperated with the situation as anyone else. What he has said is that the coaches are a privilege, not a right... but I don't agree in a blanket ban.

What about those under 25 who have children? Are they not allowed to take their own child on a coach? I think like we spoke about HERE... having a photo ID card is a lot of hassle but might go some way to identifying the dick heads.

You get a photo ID card for the season and are issued tickets for each coach journey as you are now. As you get on the coach, your ID card and your ticket are inspected and if the ID card isn't you, you don't get to travel.

If Costco can do it, why can't Sheffield United!?

well we dont like doing things the easy way do we? however i do think i.d cards are probably the way forward why not invent a new free away blade membership were you have to be a member to travel on the coaches, you get your id when you sign up and need it to travel simple! the current course of action is only going to put people off travelling with the blades! you only have to look at sunday's match as an example only 600 tickets sold for a promotion 6 pointer from a club with 20,000 season ticket holders is a little pathetic imo

 

[SRBlade]

look at sunday's match as an example only 600 tickets sold for a promotion 6 pointer from a club with 20,000 season ticket holders is a little pathetic imo

Who wants to travel to south Wales, at £50+ ticket and travel on Mothers day with work the next day?

I would for a start, i just can't afford it

 

[shorehamYY168]

yeah i can understand that going away is expensive and times are tight,but 600 tickets is only 3% of our season ticket holders will travel.pathetic really

 

[Samantha]

Have to agree... £21 (?) ticket, plus £25 coach - then you got to feed and keep yourself hydrated all day.. not a cheap day out is it?

 

[shorehamYY168]

Have to agree... £21 (?) ticket, plus £25 coach - then you got to feed and keep yourself hydrated all day.. not a cheap day out is it?

yeah very true but hopefully it will all be worth it !

 

[Samantha]

yeah very true but hopefully it will all be worth it !

It had better be... my housemate (landlady) is from Cardiff, and her dad will be at the game in the Cardiff end... I'd best be able to gain the bragging rights!!

 

[shorehamYY168]

well im going for 1-2 to united got a good feeling for a change

 

[Foxy]

Have to agree... £21 (?) ticket, plus £25 coach - then you got to feed and keep yourself hydrated all day.. not a cheap day out is it?

Its gonna cost a bomb in petrol, but I won a lodge for 3 nights in deepest south wales....

So its not a day out, its a weekend!