South Yorkshire Police/Millwall Supporters Yesterday

[Highbury_Blade]

As someone who travels to probably 75% of our away games, I wouldn't like to think of United being banned. However, Millwall fans were behaving so badly, I think a ban on them travelling to the Lane next time (probably not next year) would be justified. And it wasn't just a few scuffles either. It was violence the likes of which is not seen nowadays, and the last time I saw it like that was in September 2003, just after we had beaten Cardiff 5-3.

I've heard next to nothing in the news about the millwall fans behaviour. It would take something very newsworthy to get them banned, something like invading another stand.

At the end of the day clubs expect away fans to cause a bit of aggro, that's what stewards and the police are there for.

 

[Ollessendro]

Yes I'll try. There were about as many coppers on duty on Saturday as you would see for a Sheffield derby. Plenty down London Rd, in town. Passing past the Roebuck our group saw three riot vans outside, three coppers on 'ossback, and another van unit filming the Blades stood outside drinking.
During the match, there was a group of Millwall that broke away from the main section, and headed towards the South Stand, taunting the Blades who were sat on there. They also seemed to be throwing objects too. However, I sit on the Kop, so if I am wrong about objects being thrown I will happily stand corrected.
My point about the coppers was that they could have and should have forced the Millwall fans back into the main section of fans. That for a start would have taken some of the sting out. Then, there was violence outside the ground after the match. Now it seemed to me as if the coppers had lost control of the situation.
Next time it should be a complete away fans ban for Millwall.

Cheers Axel. What's this about 200 fans/thugs/hooligans wondering around town who did not even go to the game?

It's strange that this kicked off. Not because of Millwall, but more because the plod usually have these stitched up. I am not a fan of the police, but I have to say they (generally) police games well. They can be incompetent and heavy handed, but they usual have the hooligans in their pockets. South Yorkshire police have a unit that follows the BBC everywhere and they rarely seem to get into trouble these days. Millwall also have an intelligence unit that I presume does the same. So why did they get this wrong? I am sure that they infultrate the Bushwackers and Business Crew and have undercover agents hanging around with them. Plus they will be monitoring telephone calls, wesbites, e-mails etc. They usually meet the hooigan elements at the station knowing exactly where they are, how many they'll be etc etc. So why did they underestimate Millwall? Naivety? Poor planning? Lack of planning? Millwall poor a fast one? The Millwall Bushwackers are clearly very well organised and have a big following. Thy may be mindless thugs, but they are clearly well organised. Interesting.

Personally I think there is no room for this in the game. I think it is sad that grown men are acting like this. However it always get the blood pumping and can really add to the atmosphere. I remember a game at Stoke in 2002 or 2003 (where they kept the Blades fans in after funnily enough) were it really kicked off. I turned up late and ended up sitting with these Burberry hat and Stone Island jacket donning thugs. I couldn't help the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and could not resist the urge to follow the BBC members as similar to scenes to Saturday emerged. The Stoke fans advanced towards the corner and the Blades fans went to meet them!? Human nature I guess. Mind you, I learnt how to survive growing up in the jungle that is Rotherham (hit the fooker before he hits you) and I guess it comes to the surface when the blood boils a little

 

[muttsnuts]

No they're not. The majority of them are actually quite brave and have to put up with a lot of shit off people criticising them for doing a job that 99% of the population would not dare do themselves.

Bollocks. I once applied, I'm 6'2 and everyone thought I would have made a good copper, but they decided I wasn't politically correct enough for them. Until they start employing real people we haven't a chance, thats the problem with the force today. What respect is a 5'6 fresh out of school kid going to get from a bunch of nobs, be they male or female?

 

[JohnDenver]

Bollocks. I once applied, I'm 6'2 and everyone thought I would have made a good copper, but they decided I wasn't politically correct enough for them. Until they start employing real people we haven't a chance, thats the problem with the force today. What respect is a 5'6 fresh out of school kid going to get from a bunch of nobs, be they male or female?

Of the coppers I know, political correctness is the last thing I'd accuse them of.

 

[SwissBlade]

Interesting views on here. Not sure that when sheffielder says that millwall was revenge that we can then claim the moral high ground and talk of banning millwall.

As for better control in the away end, whilst nets and lines of stewards would only do so much it'd be better than what we saw on sat...

---------- Post added at 10:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 PM ----------

aand think of the benefits to the city hoards of cockernees in pubs must've been a great money spinner for the pubs.

watered down, over priced shandy being shifted by the halves will've boosted the city coffers no end

 

[JohnDenver]

I've no idea what happened at Millwall earlier in the season, but I'd be shocked if it was on a par with Saturday. It's not about moral high ground - we have our share of twats too. It's about a long history of chaos wrought by Millwall's lot over many years.

It pisses me off that ordinary folk have to put up with it and pay the cost of it.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

What I don't get - if the whole thing was pre-meditated by the Millwall fans - is why it took so long to rouse them. For an hour, they simply provided superb backing for their team. If they'd come spoiling for a fight, you'd have thought they'd have been taunting us from the beginning - and they weren't. What actually happened was that our support got behind the Blades around 65-70 minutes with a big UNITED chant and then a WE ARE BLADES chant. That seemed to suddenly rile the Millwall fans and they surged towards G and H. Why?!!!!

The goal then didn't help matters as it allowed the Blades to taunt the Millwall fans who got into scuffles with the stewards at that point.

About 5 minutes after the goal, most of the fans who'd surged left. They were clearly signalling to G and H that they'd meet them outside. The stewards and police stayed where they were in that corner as if they'd got it stitched up. Why were the gates not shut at that point? No, you're staying here, lads. Easy. The Kop end of the South Stand was heaving after the game - many people knew exactly what was going to happen down Bramall Lane.

What infuriates me is that there seem to be people on here and on Blades Mad praising their firm for what they did. Football has moved on and is a family sport and anything that endangers innocent people is well out of order. Why should we feel worried about taking our boys/girls to a match at the Lane? Why should our taxes pay for the police and extra costs incurred from this?

 

[bangkok blade]

Blades who don't like this atmosphere at games should probably be aware Millwall will seek revenge on Saturday at Crystal Palace.

 

[Rattly Noise]

Bollocks. I once applied, I'm 6'2 and everyone thought I would have made a good copper, but they decided I wasn't politically correct enough for them. Until they start employing real people we haven't a chance, thats the problem with the force today. What respect is a 5'6 fresh out of school kid going to get from a bunch of nobs, be they male or female?

Funny. My brother joined the force in his forties. Clearly they do recruit "real people". Either that or he dresses up in his uniform every day and just wanders around town. Might explain a lot.

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 PM ----------

What infuriates me is that there seem to be people on here and on Blades Mad praising their firm for what they did. Football has moved on and is a family sport and anything that endangers innocent people is well out of order. Why should we feel worried about taking our boys/girls to a match at the Lane? Why should our taxes pay for the police and extra costs incurred from this?

Sadly for many people football hasn't moved on. many on here are reminiscing about the "good old days" when you;d not had a good time unless someone had punched you in the head a few times. I'm sure there were some decent families and the like in amongst the Millwall fans, but like our own fans, the hooligan element stands out.

Personally I'd single them out, ban them from the Lane and make it compulsory for them to follow Wednesday home and away. They'd soon calm down then.

 

[grafikhaus]

If that's true about 200 cockney twats hanging around town, then syp have shown their true colours. They were happy to film United fans drinking, and stood by watching whilst all the trouble kicked off. If anyone reading this board works for syp, what a set of cunts you are. Hopeless, inefficient, useless, spineless cowards.

...and repeat when we play Forest, Leeds, Cardiff etc.

Don't you people realise that the cops want it to kick off and therefore justify their overtime payments?

 

[Ollessendro]

I've no idea what happened at Millwall earlier in the season, but I'd be shocked if it was on a par with Saturday. It's not about moral high ground - we have our share of twats too. It's about a long history of chaos wrought by Millwall's lot over many years.

I was at Millwall and saw no trouble whatsoever. None in London Bridge, none arpound the ground, niente, nada et rien. I am not in the know, nor do I hang around with trouble causers, but if it had been anything like Saturday sounded like I am sure I would have seen something.

What infuriates me is that there seem to be people on here and on Blades Mad praising their firm for what they did. Football has moved on and is a family sport and anything that endangers innocent people is well out of order. Why should we feel worried about taking our boys/girls to a match at the Lane? Why should our taxes pay for the police and extra costs incurred from this?

Good post. Praising a bunch of thugs for coming up, smashing a few pubs, injuring some police officers, abttering some Blades, getting battered themselves and generally being a nuisance. They might be well organised but they are pathetic. It is a sad stain on football. Like you, I am sure there are some nice Millwall fans. Of the 1200 I would say 60-70% of them would be normal fans who just came to watch the game. It is the minority spoling it for everyone. As for condoing the Millwall thugs or giving the Bushwackers respect, I wondered if peopl would have had a different opinion if they'd been hit in the head with a bat or a chain, their wife had been hit in the face by a flying pint glass or their child had been stampeded over by some of these thugs.

I am all for an intense atmosphere, but violence is out of order. I prefer banter in the pub before and after, rather than a bloody mouth (or worse). Don;t get me wrong, I love a good intense, hate filled atmosphere for 90 mins. I hate the ref, I hate the opposition team and I hate the opposition fans. However, when the final whistle blows I put it to one side and go for a drink with the opposition fans. Talk about the game, their season, what they thought of us etc.

 

[SwissBlade]

Good post. Praising a bunch of thugs for coming up, smashing a few pubs, injuring some police officers, abttering some Blades, getting battered themselves and generally being a nuisance. They might be well organised but they are pathetic. It is a sad stain on football. Like you, I am sure there are some nice Millwall fans. Of the 1200 I would say 60-70% of them would be normal fans who just came to watch the game. It is the minority spoling it for everyone. As for condoing the Millwall thugs or giving the Bushwackers respect, I wondered if peopl would have had a different opinion if they'd been hit in the head with a bat or a chain, their wife had been hit in the face by a flying pint glass or their child had been stampeded over by some of these thugs.

I am all for an intense atmosphere, but violence is out of order. I prefer banter in the pub before and after, rather than a bloody mouth (or worse). Don;t get me wrong, I love a good intense, hate filled atmosphere for 90 mins. I hate the ref, I hate the opposition team and I hate the opposition fans. However, when the final whistle blows I put it to one side and go for a drink with the opposition fans. Talk about the game, their season, what they thought of us etc.

Very good point Ollie, My mate who parks on Hill st (i think thats the road which runs from the lane behind the Railway and up to the outdoor shop CCC, where it meets John St) and as he need to get back home left 10 mins early, MillWall, The feds and Blades were all involved in a stand off there. He could've easily been caught in the middle of this as he was getting into his car. Apparently though the Blades then attacked a Taxi driver...

When I got to the Golden Lion, post match I heard from a lot of Blades that it was going off, when I asked where they said up near CCC, I knew that my parents were planning to park there as my mum had recently had a knee op and couldn't walk far, so they planned to get there early and park near CCC. Fortunately I called my Mum and warned her and they managed to avoid the area, it also turned out that they parked elsewhere.

Now I personally wouldn't like to be involved in any of this stuff, but if I was, it's no worse than stuff I've seen over the years at either the football or on nights out in various towns in England. But if my Mum was caught up in it then its inexcusable... She'd lose it big style with then cockney wankers*

*last comment made purely for comedy purposes, my mother has never (to my knowledge) been involved in violence, through football or otherwise.

 

[William Large]

I'm afraid I don't have anything good to say about them to be honest Highbury. Most of the time I have encountered them has been at away matches, although there have been times when I have required their assistance and found them to be just as useless. People will again disagree, but you can only go on what you see.

However, I stand by my comments about the Millwall game on Saturday though, they made a rod for their own backs.

---------- Post added at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 PM ----------



Yes I'll try. There were about as many coppers on duty on Saturday as you would see for a Sheffield derby. Plenty down London Rd, in town. Passing past the Roebuck our group saw three riot vans outside, three coppers on 'ossback, and another van unit filming the Blades stood outside drinking.
During the match, there was a group of Millwall that broke away from the main section, and headed towards the South Stand, taunting the Blades who were sat on there. They also seemed to be throwing objects too. However, I sit on the Kop, so if I am wrong about objects being thrown I will happily stand corrected.
My point about the coppers was that they could have and should have forced the Millwall fans back into the main section of fans. That for a start would have taken some of the sting out. Then, there was violence outside the ground after the match. Now it seemed to me as if the coppers had lost control of the situation.
Next time it should be a complete away fans ban for Millwall.

For a start there were no way near as many cops on duty as there are for a Sheffield Derby, the numbers for matches have been drastically reduced to the point of it being dangerous for the cops themselves. One female office was stranded in a group of brave men who kicked the crap out of her whilst she was on the floor. I bet she deserved it the smug cnut. Hang on a minute...... No she fucking didn't.
The main reason that trouble wan't contained properly was because of the lack of Police numbers. Not the fault of those on duty. Generally the cops in South Yorkshire are very robust with the shit that follows teams about. They are easy targets to blame and sometimes they don't help themselves, but nearly everything is filmed nowadays either by them or town centre CCTV, there is a massive witch hunt if any of them does anything that someone doesn't like.
How quick and easy it is for retards to criticise with sweeping generalisations that 'anyone that works for SYP is a cunt'. I know a bloke who works as a building engineer for the Police, is he a cunt? I suggest that perhaps it is not them that are the cunts................

 

[SwissBlade]

One female office was stranded in a group of brave men who kicked the crap out of her whilst she was on the floor.

I remember two WPC's on horse back after the Cardiff game last season. We were at the Golden Lion, just as two minibus loads of Cardiff decided to target the Golden Lion. They ran at the Blades for 10 metres and Blades did the same, but they both stopped and I think both groups were thankful that the Police Horses came to break up their potential embarassment.

Bring in the tear gas, Horses and Water cannons. Job done.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I remember two WPC's on horse back after the Cardiff game last season. We were at the Golden Lion, just as two minibus loads of Cardiff decided to target the Golden Lion. They ran at the Blades for 10 metres and Blades did the same, but they both stopped and I think both groups were thankful that the Police Horses came to break up their potential embarassment.

Bring in the tear gas, Horses and Water cannons. Job done.

Why stop at Tear gas? Bring out the rubber bullets!

 

[JohnDenver]

Why stop at Tear gas? Bring out the rubber bullets!

I've heard Northumbria Police have a few spare tasers.

 

[William Large]

I remember two WPC's on horse back after the Cardiff game last season. We were at the Golden Lion, just as two minibus loads of Cardiff decided to target the Golden Lion. They ran at the Blades for 10 metres and Blades did the same, but they both stopped and I think both groups were thankful that the Police Horses came to break up their potential embarassment.

Bring in the tear gas, Horses and Water cannons. Job done.

As well as drenching the scum, no doubt the water cannons would splash some water on the 'innocent bystanders' who would scream obscenties at the Police for their inaccurate firing. Forget water cannon, rotary cannon is the way ahead.

 

[shorehamview]

Bollocks. I once applied, I'm 6'2 and everyone thought I would have made a good copper, but they decided I wasn't politically correct enough for them. Until they start employing real people we haven't a chance, thats the problem with the force today. What respect is a 5'6 fresh out of school kid going to get from a bunch of nobs, be they male or female?

Makes you wonder how the hell my 6'1" tattooed ex-soldier little brother managed to get in, be top probationer of his year in South Yorkshire and one of the top in the country and now in C.I.D. I certainly wonder.

He's a Blade too. Perhaps next time he attends a match I can arrange for Axel Smeets to call him a cunt to his face?

Not a good idea though. Small brother packs weapons-grade sarcasm and would have our fine poster in knots, and possibly crying for his mummy.

I'm also prepared to accept with a large pinch of salt that Pinchy has aked every single Blade if they like Monty or not, but I'm finding it hard to believe that someone has had dealings with every single police officer in the country. Otherwise how can such a sweeping statement hold water? Of course, it can't.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Makes you wonder how the hell my 6'1" tattooed ex-soldier little brother managed to get in, be top probationer of his year in South Yorkshire and one of the top in the country and now in C.I.D. I certainly wonder.

He's a Blade too. Perhaps next time he attends a match I can arrange for Axel Smeets to call him a cunt to his face?

Not a good idea though. Small brother packs weapons-grade sarcasm and would have our fine poster in knots, and possibly crying for his mummy.

I'm also prepared to accept with a large pinch of salt that Pinchy has aked every single Blade if they like Monty or not, but I'm finding it hard to believe that someone has had dealings with every single police officer in the country. Otherwise how can such a sweeping statement hold water? Of course, it can't.

To be fair, quite a lot of the coppers i know are ex-armed forces. It is a well trodden path.