email from club - NO MORE TICKETS ON SALE IN KOP - standing & wrong seat usage

[Digs blade]

yeah if only there was some sort of parking system in place where you could park a car in an allocated space for specified period of time

Not after an argument so no need for the sarcasm and I don’t want to take this off topic.

Youve obviously never had issues trying to find somewhere to park around the ground. Well done for that

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I have 3 sub 20 yearolds sit in front of me from time to time,they spend most of the time play punching each other then take it in turns to dissappear for 5 mins during the game,dont think young lads have weak bladders.Wish they would piss off permanently.

 

[Inter_blade83]

Jordan didn’t do it again though, did he?

Interesting how the name Jordan was mentioned. I once taught a class with 3 Jordans and 4 Jaydens. They were all cunts.

 

[blackydog]

Meanwhile, Wendy cleared of any safety concerns in Lepers Lanes end.
“Our findings show full compliance at the stadium and no issues relating to the matchday operation. Some minor changes have been identified to improve the overall experience."

 

[MVB]

I personally think having hundreds of coked up lads with an axe to grind in the vicinity of one man and a gun is a great idea and can forsee no possible issues arising

Just as a completely unrelated issue, does the army surplus store on London Road sell Bullet Proof Jackets?

 

[Bladesman]

Meanwhile, Wendy cleared of any safety concerns in Lepers Lanes end.
“Our findings show full compliance at the stadium and no issues relating to the matchday operation. Some minor changes have been identified to improve the overall experience."

Are we surprised at all by that outcome?

 

[Karaoke Blade]

• Find someone standing in gangway/crowded area
• Ask to see season ticket
• If it is not their seat, ask them to move
• If they don't, ask them again or else dibbles will eject them
• If they're still fucking stupid, have dibbles eject them

That's quite easily governable.

I attended a match a couple of seasons ago and on arriving at my season ticket seat, there was somebody sat in it. I asked them politely to move and they did.
If they hadn't moved I would have reported it to a steward and expect them to intervene. Simple solution.

(If, for any reason, I hadn't attended the match, then I'd be quite happy for the person to remain sat in my seat as there would be no issue to resolve).

If the issue is more about people standing in aisles, then see above, (what jt64 said). Is it really that difficult to resolve?

 

[Dkc]

As far as I can see there may be minor safety concerns but it's hardly going to create another Hillsborough disaster if a very small minority of fans stand at the back with their mates instead of sitting in their assigned seat. Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut is the phrase that springs to mind. People have been doing the same since the kop became all-seater 30-odd years ago without any major issues.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut is the phrase that springs to mind.

Maybe it's worse than that, more like 2 or 3 people keep chatting in class, so using the SAG mentality, the whole class now needs to stay behind for detention.

I heard Seth Bennett on Radio Sheffield say the stewards will be doing stricter checks at the turnstiles and they advise fans to turn up earlier.
Simple question WHY? What is the relevance of checking bags and body searches outside at the turnstiles?
Shouldn't those stewards be positioned around gangways F and G instead, looking for possible overcrowding.

To be honest there's still a lack of clarify regards what is actually happening.
In the last few matches, there's is far less people hanging around the last gangway, assumed the restriction would end and we'd be allowed to sell tickets again.

Someone mentioned it earlier, it's like organising a music festival and stating that if any one drops any litter then the festival will be cancelled.
Think it's realistic to reduce the problem but to try and ensure every single person sits in their allocated seat is unrealistic.
Also if it's done on a minor scale then what is the problem?

Also it's a bit bizarre that apparently there's a problem on our Kop but no one has complained, no incidents and there's no risk to safety.
Where as at Hillsboro away fans have complained about their safety but Sheffield City council have ruled that there's no issue on their away end.

 

[Scoips]

A couple of belated observations on this. Firstly the club's communication on the issue has been dreadful. I'm still not clear exactly what the issue is and SAG/the Council have a responsibility to clarify their precise concerns to the club, so why haven't the club passed this on. The issue isn't standing - it happens in all parts of the ground and every other ground, so its not just an issue on our Kop. There's plenty of speculation about too many people to a seat, refusing to give up a seat if the owner turns up, gangways being blocked etc, but we don't know exactly what SAG's concerns are. Why don't the club give us clearer and better targetted information.

It is also clear that we have a smallish number of scrotes who seem to takle great pleasure in making life as uncomfortable as possible for other Blades and see any requests to follow rules or for common courtesy as a challenge. I sit further down the Kop, so its not much of a problem for me at home matches, but this behaviour is evident in abundance at away matches. I wouldn't have a problem in these people being identified, warned and if necessary banned.

However, it does appear that we are being subject to a level of scrutiny and enforcement that is greater than other clubs. Do we have more scrotes than other clubs? Are the unspecified problems at the back of the Kop worse than at most other grounds? For those nerdy enough to have a look at the Council's policy, it is here ...https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/business/licences-permits-registrations/sports-ground-licences

It does say that the Council's actions have to be proportionate, accountable, consistent, transparent and targeted, so the club could have a conversation with the Council about how they have demonstrated that they have acted in this way. The policy also seems to give a great deal of delegated authority to the Chief Licensing Office and the Head of Licensing - it would be interesting to know how much the elected councillors know about what is being done in their name. Its not clear to me how many other mebers of SAG will have had an input into this. SY Plod have a history of profound incompetence and utterly counterproductive interventions, but how much are they concerned about minor issues contained in the home support inside the ground? Are the Council's Health and Safety team going to matches?

So, in my view, the club has got to make a decison about whether SAG/ the Council are making reasonable requests or taking the piss. If its the former, then we've got to get on and deal with it - hugely better communication, much better stewarding by fully trained and competent people and ejection for those who refuse to comply. If its the latter, then challenge the Council. Get them to provide all their evidence. Get them to demonstrate their actions are consistent, transparent, proportionate etc. Get proper legal advice, not from some local two bit solicitor who spends most of their time doing divorce cases, but a recognised specialist (who will be expensive but less than 30k a game!). The Council's legal team aren't great, so a heavyweight challenge would make them think. And if necessary, make it an issue for the elections in May. The votes of 20,000 Blades would make a huge difference.

 

[Sheffsteel]

A couple of belated observations on this. Firstly the club's communication on the issue has been dreadful. I'm still not clear exactly what the issue is and SAG/the Council have a responsibility to clarify their precise concerns to the club, so why haven't the club passed this on. The issue isn't standing - it happens in all parts of the ground and every other ground, so its not just an issue on our Kop. There's plenty of speculation about too many people to a seat, refusing to give up a seat if the owner turns up, gangways being blocked etc, but we don't know exactly what SAG's concerns are. Why don't the club give us clearer and better targetted information.

It is also clear that we have a smallish number of scrotes who seem to takle great pleasure in making life as uncomfortable as possible for other Blades and see any requests to follow rules or for common courtesy as a challenge. I sit further down the Kop, so its not much of a problem for me at home matches, but this behaviour is evident in abundance at away matches. I wouldn't have a problem in these people being identified, warned and if necessary banned.

However, it does appear that we are being subject to a level of scrutiny and enforcement that is greater than other clubs. Do we have more scrotes than other clubs? Are the unspecified problems at the back of the Kop worse than at most other grounds? For those nerdy enough to have a look at the Council's policy, it is here ...https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/business/licences-permits-registrations/sports-ground-licences

It does say that the Council's actions have to be proportionate, accountable, consistent, transparent and targeted, so the club could have a conversation with the Council about how they have demonstrated that they have acted in this way. The policy also seems to give a great deal of delegated authority to the Chief Licensing Office and the Head of Licensing - it would be interesting to know how much the elected councillors know about what is being done in their name. Its not clear to me how many other mebers of SAG will have had an input into this. SY Plod have a history of profound incompetence and utterly counterproductive interventions, but how much are they concerned about minor issues contained in the home support inside the ground? Are the Council's Health and Safety team going to matches?

So, in my view, the club has got to make a decison about whether SAG/ the Council are making reasonable requests or taking the piss. If its the former, then we've got to get on and deal with it - hugely better communication, much better stewarding by fully trained and competent people and ejection for those who refuse to comply. If its the latter, then challenge the Council. Get them to provide all their evidence. Get them to demonstrate their actions are consistent, transparent, proportionate etc. Get proper legal advice, not from some local two bit solicitor who spends most of their time doing divorce cases, but a recognised specialist (who will be expensive but less than 30k a game!). The Council's legal team aren't great, so a heavyweight challenge would make them think. And if necessary, make it an issue for the elections in May. The votes of 20,000 Blades would make a huge difference.

Good post, common sense really but it hits the nail on the head. However one would expect the club are already aware of your points.
Makes me wonder if the Prince has gone into hiding, so the SAG can do what they want without being challenged.
Appreciate there's no Prince but why isn't the CEO Steve Bettis being more visible and communicating the position.

Still think the council need to answerable regards their apparent double standards regards their treatment of SUFC compared to SWFC.
In the SW v Newcastle game, the away fans say they felt in danger but the Sheffield Council say SWFC did everything they could and the blame lies with the away fans.
Regards SUFC no fans have complained or felt in danger, presumably SU have done everything they can but this time that's not good enough.

 

[jt64]

At this stage, what have the council actually done?

 

[ZLB]

At this stage, what have the council actually done?

Straight roads.

 

[Freddie]

I’ve just been stopped for a ticket check at the top of gangway B on the Kop and then again half way down!! Two thoroughly pleasant young men I must say. Can we remove all restrictions now then?

 

[tyke1889]

It's getting those people to read the message, see the message, understand the message. As we've seen, the original statement was hit because of the standing element of it. The actual issue is seat migration.

Do we have any loudspeaker systems in place at all? One above the turnstiles repeating the message 'ticket checks are in place. Please use your own allocated seat'

Sometimes the simple solutions are the best.

At the back of the Kop it would sound like.

Brr brrrrr br b brrrb. Brrrs brr ybb br brccbr sb

 

[Gerritforud]

Straight roads.

Sanitation.

 

[jt64]

Wrong thread

 

[Bladesman]

At this stage, what have the council actually done?

Block a load of roads off.

 

[finlaytheblade]

As far as I can see there may be minor safety concerns but it's hardly going to create another Hillsborough disaster if a very small minority of fans stand at the back with their mates instead of sitting in their assigned seat. Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut is the phrase that springs to mind. People have been doing the same since the kop became all-seater 30-odd years ago without any major issues.

Probably true but if the powers that be say we have a problem then we have to comform or the club will have to shut the kop.
Straight forward statement
if you are part of the problem you will know !or complain to the club I imagine feed back from the fans would help.

 

[finlaytheblade]

A couple of belated observations on this. Firstly the club's communication on the issue has been dreadful. I'm still not clear exactly what the issue is and SAG/the Council have a responsibility to clarify their precise concerns to the club, so why haven't the club passed this on. The issue isn't standing - it happens in all parts of the ground and every other ground, so its not just an issue on our Kop. There's plenty of speculation about too many people to a seat, refusing to give up a seat if the owner turns up, gangways being blocked etc, but we don't know exactly what SAG's concerns are. Why don't the club give us clearer and better targetted information.

It is also clear that we have a smallish number of scrotes who seem to takle great pleasure in making life as uncomfortable as possible for other Blades and see any requests to follow rules or for common courtesy as a challenge. I sit further down the Kop, so its not much of a problem for me at home matches, but this behaviour is evident in abundance at away matches. I wouldn't have a problem in these people being identified, warned and if necessary banned.

However, it does appear that we are being subject to a level of scrutiny and enforcement that is greater than other clubs. Do we have more scrotes than other clubs? Are the unspecified problems at the back of the Kop worse than at most other grounds? For those nerdy enough to have a look at the Council's policy, it is here ...https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/business/licences-permits-registrations/sports-ground-licences

It does say that the Council's actions have to be proportionate, accountable, consistent, transparent and targeted, so the club could have a conversation with the Council about how they have demonstrated that they have acted in this way. The policy also seems to give a great deal of delegated authority to the Chief Licensing Office and the Head of Licensing - it would be interesting to know how much the elected councillors know about what is being done in their name. Its not clear to me how many other mebers of SAG will have had an input into this. SY Plod have a history of profound incompetence and utterly counterproductive interventions, but how much are they concerned about minor issues contained in the home support inside the ground? Are the Council's Health and Safety team going to matches?

So, in my view, the club has got to make a decison about whether SAG/ the Council are making reasonable requests or taking the piss. If its the former, then we've got to get on and deal with it - hugely better communication, much better stewarding by fully trained and competent people and ejection for those who refuse to comply. If its the latter, then challenge the Council. Get them to provide all their evidence. Get them to demonstrate their actions are consistent, transparent, proportionate etc. Get proper legal advice, not from some local two bit solicitor who spends most of their time doing divorce cases, but a recognised specialist (who will be expensive but less than 30k a game!). The Council's legal team aren't great, so a heavyweight challenge would make them think. And if necessary, make it an issue for the elections in May. The votes of 20,000 Blades would make a huge difference.

Great Post send it to the club & SAG ! you seem to have a sensible approach ! surely that's all that's needed or is it too sensible for the powers that be !.

 

[mattbianco1]

Still not selling back of Kop for Tottenham. Although does seem to be more available than versus Wrexham

 

[S64 Blade]

Great communication again by the club...

 

[Tickhill Blade]

Back 7 rows of Kop not available, so thats about 1300/1400 empty seats. Then about the first 10 seats of every row on the side also unavailable, so another 500 odd. Not far off 2000 empty seats then, added to the Westfield corner.

 

[Digs blade]

That is an absolute joke decision re Spurs

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Still not selling back of Kop for Tottenham. Although does seem to be more available than versus Wrexham

I saw that too. Couldn't get my normal seat - what's going on?!

 

[Houston_Blade]

Still not selling back of Kop for Tottenham. Although does seem to be more available than versus Wrexham

Looks like back 10 rows and side 10 seats all the way down nearest the SS. Will be costing serious money @ £30 an adult.

 

[Working Class Hero]

Still not selling back of Kop for Tottenham. Although does seem to be more available than versus Wrexham

This is exactly the type of game where Bramall Lane normally comes alive, and the Kop becomes our 12th man. This has been robbed of us for this game and I'm willing to bet it wont feel anything like previous cup games against Premier League opposition.

It's a shame because it's just so unnecessary. Not selling tickets for league games when the Kop is already well populated by season ticket holders is one thing, but shutting half the stand off is just ridiculous. As others have said it's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I don't think anyone still knows what the safety risk actually is (at least that isn't a risk in any crowded area).

 

[Blade 1971]

Back 7 rows of Kop not available, so thats about 1300/1400 empty seats. Then about the first 10 seats of every row on the side also unavailable, so another 500 odd. Not far off 2000 empty seats then, added to the Westfield corner.

The seats closest to the South Stand, many of which are restricted view, only ever go on sale once all other tickets have been sold. The only change for the Spurs game that I can see is the closure of the back rows.

 

[PaulHalfway]

Wonder why Westfield corner is not for sale to our fans, massive gap to the Spurs fans, hundreds of empty seats, very strange
In the PL they literally have about 3 empty seats gap between fans at all matches and a row of stewards, that must be 2000 tickets we could sell.

 

[Mojo]

In my experience Sheffield council are absolutely incompetent thick petty jobsworthy wankers. And that's on a good day