C Premier & Stewarding

[RedRedWine]

Time to get rid of this area of the stadium entirely. Give the season ticket holders a refund and relocate them elsewhere. It’s a terrible stadium design to have supporters so close to players and managers - they might as well be in the technical area with them. What is worse is the attitude of some of the people who choose and pay extra to be in this area, seemingly because they think it is almost their duty/match day experience to wind up the opposition, and even shout tactical nonsense at our management staff, and just generally be abusive. People like this are not an extension of the game like they seem to believe, they’re a complete embarrassment to this club. They need to just watch the game and shut the fuck up - and if they can’t, sit elsewhere.

Putting the alleged racist comment to one side (if this did occur it is completely abhorrent and has no place in society - let alone football, particularly at this club), for me it’s the attitude of some people in this section of the ground that inflamed tensions in an already ill-tempered game - which led to subsequent events during and after the game. What a shame for the club, the players, the manager, every other fan - that on a day where we should have been celebrating a famous and deserved victory in front of the biggest ever crowd at the Mazuma Stadium, that they instead have to talk about non-footballing matters that ultimately emanate from the actions of a few moronic, selfish geriatric tossers. The absolute irony of this whole episode should be lost on nobody - given only weeks ago many people on here and elsewhere were quick to turn against younger supporters for behaviour at games that they found distasteful, and were eagerly calling for bans.

The stewarding at the game today was absolutely pathetic. Bolton supporters were found in home areas, and simply moved to another area of the ground or allowed to stay where they were - was this pre-planned? It’s a dangerous precedent to set. Why weren’t they ejected from the ground entirely? But more concerning was watching from the home end supporters leaning over from C Prem to hurl threats and abuse at the visiting players and management staff - this was allowed to happen for too long whilst stewards did absolutely nothing. Remember, before the players were brought off - there was a lengthy delay whilst the referee consulted with the Bolton manager, then play resumed again, before ultimately the referee brought players off the pitch. I do not particularly care that the opposition side are alleged to have been abusive and threatening themselves, if they have then those that heard it should have reported it.

Given that perhaps 100+ Bolton fans invaded the pitch after the equaliser and initially seemed to be heading to the area where the gesticulating towards their team had taken place - why on earth were they allowed to leave the stadium at the same time as home supporters? Who is responsible for this decision? The composition of the ground, means that both home and away supporters merge into Christie Way leaving the stadium - do they not know this?!? Complete incompetence. The club really needs to look at themselves here. At best they needlessly subjected young and vulnerable fans to Bolton fans labelling everybody with a pulse as a racist bastard… and some of the other alleged incidents are shamefully disturbing - probably enough to put some people off from attending for a while.

[redrobo]

Time to get rid of this area of the stadium entirely. Give the season ticket holders a refund and relocate them elsewhere. It’s a terrible stadium design to have supporters so close to players and managers - they might as well be in the technical area with them. What is worse is the attitude of some of the people who choose and pay extra to be in this area, seemingly because they think it is almost their duty/match day experience to wind up the opposition, and even shout tactical nonsense at our management staff, and just generally be abusive. People like this are not an extension of the game like they seem to believe, they’re a complete embarrassment to this club. They need to just watch the game and shut the fuck up - and if they can’t, sit elsewhere.

Putting the alleged racist comment to one side (if this did occur it is completely abhorrent and has no place in society - let alone football, particularly at this club), for me it’s the attitude of some people in this section of the ground that inflamed tensions in an already ill-tempered game - which led to subsequent events during and after the game. What a shame for the club, the players, the manager, every other fan - that on a day where we should have been celebrating a famous and deserved victory in front of the biggest ever crowd at the Mazuma Stadium, that they instead have to talk about non-footballing matters that ultimately emanate from the actions of a few moronic, selfish geriatric tossers. The absolute irony of this whole episode should be lost on nobody - given only weeks ago many people on here and elsewhere were quick to turn against younger supporters for behaviour at games that they found distasteful, and were eagerly calling for bans.

The stewarding at the game today was absolutely pathetic. Bolton supporters were found in home areas, and simply moved to another area of the ground or allowed to stay where they were - was this pre-planned? It’s a dangerous precedent to set. Why weren’t they ejected from the ground entirely? But more concerning was watching from the home end supporters leaning over from C Prem to hurl threats and abuse at the visiting players and management staff - this was allowed to happen for too long whilst stewards did absolutely nothing. Remember, before the players were brought off - there was a lengthy delay whilst the referee consulted with the Bolton manager, then play resumed again, before ultimately the referee brought players off the pitch. I do not particularly care that the opposition side are alleged to have been abusive and threatening themselves, if they have then those that heard it should have reported it.

Given that perhaps 100+ Bolton fans invaded the pitch after the equaliser and initially seemed to be heading to the area where the gesticulating towards their team had taken place - why on earth were they allowed to leave the stadium at the same time as home supporters? Who is responsible for this decision? The composition of the ground, means that both home and away supporters merge into Christie Way leaving the stadium - do they not know this?!? Complete incompetence. The club really needs to look at themselves here. At best they needlessly subjected young and vulnerable fans to Bolton fans labelling everybody with a pulse as a racist bastard… and some of the other alleged incidents are shamefully disturbing - probably enough to put some people off from attending for a while.

As someone who was and admits to having bad mouthed a former manager about a lack of entertainment ( of which in hindsight was totally out of order) I find being described along with others in Section C behind the home dugout as moronic, selfish geriatric tossers totally uncalled for but yet another example of your loathing of everybody and everything to do with C Premier.

However there are a number of well observed comments that I totally agree with and in particular your comments regarding the post match events that could and should have been handled better both by the club and by the police.

[SEASIDECLARET]

The issue with the seating area that is known as C Premier is that in the original design of the stadium that seating area was designed as the Directors Box. There was then a change to the plans and a 2nd floor was added to the Main Stand that then included the Directors Box and Hospitality boxes. Their was then an area of of approximately 80 seats ( with upgraded seats already ordered) and a decision had to be made as to its use. Hence it became a premium priced area with no concessionaire prices. Unfortunately it has been an area, that has seen a few confrontations, behind both dug outs, and I remember quite clearly Andy Hesentaler of Gillingham and the Crawley town assistant ….Rayner having protracted “discussions” with the C Prem residents. Regrettably it has been an area that has always had the potential to be an area of concern

[Wild Bill]

Can't see it happening now this season. Maybe in the summer if we survive L1. Needs doing though. Numpties run to the front almost every match and then refuse to go back up. Next goal they attempt to run on the pitch. With a crush barrier and a load of ordinary fans to push past it would be a lot harder to get on the pitch.

[RedRedWine]

It represents a selfish, and a recurring demonstration of a complete lack of any self control. The players and managers of both teams are in their place of work. They do not need constant nonsensical commentary and abuse from those sat behind them. At the very least there should be more of a barrier between supporters and the dugouts - and more proactive stewarding.

I had a seat in C Prem a few years ago; It’s a fantastic view, the best in the ground. But too many numpties in there, shouting nonsense - to the point that it spoils the game for those around them. There is no atmosphere in that part of the ground. The bench can hear each individual comment, and the people that choose to sit in this area know that.

Double standards on here is breathtaking… not long ago people were calling for youngsters to be banned!

[RedRedWine]

The issue with the seating area that is known as C Premier is that in the original design of the stadium that seating area was designed as the Directors Box. There was then a change to the plans and a 2nd floor was added to the Main Stand that then included the Directors Box and Hospitality boxes. Their was then an area of of approximately 80 seats ( with upgraded seats already ordered) and a decision had to be made as to its use. Hence it became a premium priced area with no concessionaire prices. Unfortunately it has been an area, that has seen a few confrontations, behind both dug outs, and I remember quite clearly Andy Hesentaler of Gillingham and the Crawley town assistant ….Rayner having protracted “discussions” with the C Prem residents. Regrettably it has been an area that has always had the potential to be an area of concern

Perhaps convert C Prem into the directors seats, and the directors box into more hospitality boxes? That way the club can potential sell more boxes - the directors still get a good view, and the less restrained nitwits are out of the way somewhere else in the ground.

[marky No.1]

No chance of putting directors there, you still get wet when the wind is swirling, i do wonder why theres never been a roof over the dugouts.

Evatt seems to know the person that allegedly said the comment as he saw him run off

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-23001521

[captain sparkle]

Evatt seems to know the person that allegedly said the comment as he saw him run off

As they ..."ran out the stadium as quickly as possible" it should be relatively easy to identify them, one way or another, witnesses or cameras.

[captain sparkle]

twice!!

[redrobo]

No chance of putting directors there, you still get wet when the wind is swirling, i do wonder why theres never been a roof over the dugouts.

Evatt seems to know the person that allegedly said the comment as he saw him run off

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-23001521

No mention of the objects thrown at the Bolton end.

I understood that the alleged offender was escorted by our stewards from the ground NOT run off as suggested. Also find it hard to believe that such comments where made by an individual when children are sat besides him. The Bolton bench don't look too concerned in the photograph. Maybe more to the actions of Evatt than he's prepared to acknowledge including his use of the 'f word to someone as he prepares to enter the tunnel but then turns and once again confronts the referee.

There is a video clip of Evatt's reactions on their fans forum 'The Trotters' under the title of 'Famous Five Away Day at Morecambe' page8. Take a look.....

[RapidShrimp]

RRW you are spot on. This has gone on too long, long before this season, and it’s time for it to stop.

Two choices in my view, first is to remove supporters from directly behind the bench entirely because there are clearly many individuals, including some on this very forum, who cannot keep their mouths shut - no form of abuse is acceptable. Secondly, like mentioned earlier in this thread, put a roof over the dugouts.

No excuses, time for change.

[redrobo]

RRW you are spot on. This has gone on too long, long before this season, and it’s time for it to stop.

Two choices in my view, first is to remove supporters from directly behind the bench entirely because there are clearly many individuals, including some on this very forum, who cannot keep their mouths shut - no form of abuse is acceptable. Secondly, like mentioned earlier in this thread, put a roof over the dugouts.

No excuses, time for change.

Agree 100% about covering the dug outs, surprised it hasn't been done before.

As for removing myself and all others from C Premier maybe by removal of the front row of seats is worth looking at as an alternative and additional means of reacting to the situation our club finds itself in. There are a number of seats in C Premier that are I believe always available on match days to all comers. By allocating those unused seats to those currently sat in the front row may be a way to rectify what some perceive as a problem.

In addition by adding a roof to the dug outs could affect the line of sight of those sat in the front row which is why my suggestion of relocation of those in the front row may be worth looking at.

To demand the complete closure of this section would be wrong in my opinion....but you would expect me to say that....

[Keith]

Double standards on here is breathtaking… not long ago people were calling for youngsters to be banned!

I'm confused. Could you explain the definition of "double standards"?

My definition would be, if people on here were trying to excuse anyone who was proven to have made racist comments, while at the same time wanting younger supporters banned for singing inappropriate songs. That would indeed be 'breathtaking' "double standards". However, I've only seen posts on here where Morecambe fans are saying, very clearly, that if someone is found to have been racially abusive, they should receive very long, even lifetime, bans.

Obviously, you have a different definition?

[marky No.1]

On the fans page the people involved and their families are being threatened

[RedRedWine]

Putting the alleged racist comment to one side (if this did occur it is completely abhorrent and has no place in society - let alone football, particularly at this club)

Did you not read this part Keith? Or the thread title? My post is about the attitude of some supporters who sit in C Prem section of the ground - which has been a recurring problem for a number of years. It also covers stewarding, which is not up to scratch - as evidenced.

Yesterday the supporters that actively sought to engage with the opposition lit the touchpaper for all the subsequent events that followed during and after the game. I do not see any criticism about this at all - even though it has potentially caused long lasting damage to the clubs reputation. This is very different to the superficial outrage about the singing of juvenile song, with no literal meaning, by young fans… for which people were calling for bans.

My post is not at all about the alleged racist remark (as clearly stated), which will be swiftly dealt with by the club and the authorities. Please keep discussions about that in the appropriate thread.

[Keith]

Still awaiting the explanation of "double standards"? Has anyone on here supported the action of the abuse, racial or not, while simultaneously condemning the younger fans?

[redrobo]

Can't understand why some have such a downer on C Premier and its occupants.

[mrpotatohead]

It's a bad design and a few bad apples dont spoil the whole bunch, but why court trouble , it is essentially an extension of the dugouts and the teams dont need 30 managers each.

[Andy D]

its so simple!

just put a flat canopy(roof) over the dugouts to stop people getting into each others faces, then there’s no kicking off.

[sandgrown]

its so simple!

just put a flat canopy(roof) over the dugouts to stop people getting into each others faces, then there’s no kicking off.

exactly its simples !

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

Only been in C Premier once but you are remarkably close to the players and staff. Convert this small area to a press/media area and it would hopefully end any close counter altercations between fans and players/staff of both teams.

[Born again Bill]

The roof or partial roofing over the dugouts is the only sensible solution . The good people in the C Prem seats pay a lot of money compared with other sections of the stadium and are an important stream of revenue for the club !