: Fri May 15, 2009 11:11 am  

Gregory Peck wrote:

On Good Friday there must have been 50 or so Leigh lads stood up at the back and there wasn't a problem.

It has to be mentioned at this point that this season was the first time in years that there hasn't been an issue with stewards trying to get people to sit down at your place.

: Fri May 15, 2009 12:11 pm  

Gregory Peck wrote:

Taking a diplomatic view, I thought it was anabsolute joke. The stewards did not say a word about the standing up at the back of the stand once during the whole of the first half. It was not as though anyone's view was being blocked. And if it's against health and safety, then what are you saying your stadium is not fit for purpose? It doesn't say on the terms and conditions of the match day ticket that you can't stand up. It must be understood that some fans like to stand up and cheer on their team vocally. On Good Friday there must have been 50 or so Leigh lads stood up at the back and there wasn't a problem. The only time the leigh stewards did anything was in the second half. Once they'd had all the money they were going to get from Widnes fans, i.e from alcohol and food consumption in foyer. You can't have it both ways, something should have been said early on and the situation should have been clarified and when people hadn't consumed as much alcohol etc. If you ask me the LSV is not a place of corruption and only interested in getting as much monety as it could in terms of alcohl sales. Solution alcohol should not be sold full stop. Then there is no need for stewards to play little games waiting for people to consume alcohol before acting on anything. In my opinion of what i saw last night the stewards were an absolute disgrace and knew exactly what they were doing. I suggest the LSV should have it's alcohol license revoked simple as, then they are not waiting to rake in the pounds before ordering fans that they must sit down in silence with the arms folded.

thats a diplomatic view? dont ever try for world peace then

: Fri May 15, 2009 12:12 pm  

I was present last night and witnessed a bit of 'the goings on' Laughable, sorry i was really pleased with the layout and atmosphere etc in your new ground, but some of them stewards seriously need to have a day off. Firstly, there must have been about 25-30 or so stood up trying to make an effort 'vocally' to get behind their team. Is that really such a crime. A few lads sneaked cans of lager in the ground which is a problem and obviously needs addressing. So a Leyther steward kindly asked one or two of them to empty their cans into pint pots, which I think is sensible. Apparently a few got clocked with cans during the game, ok maybe a stern word or a warning to get rid of cans etc, but chucking people out and so on is nothing short of crazy.
Being diplomatic etc I think it was a very poorly run show, and that fat lover head steward from Widnes didn't help matters by throwing his weight (there is enough of it) around at every possible opportunity.
Like greg says alcohol maybe a cause, and if so maybe there needs to be a limit on what you can be allowed to consume in the ground, i don't know?
But from what I have heard, there were supposedly about 6-7 thrown out, shame really as it ruined what could have been an enjoyable atmosphere. Ah well at least we know for our next visit not to make an attempt to try and support our team.

: Fri May 15, 2009 12:26 pm  

It's a criminal offence to take alcohol in to a sports ground in this country, so they've got off quite lightly if they were only ejected from the stadium.

: Fri May 15, 2009 12:35 pm  

Official line 3 got thrown out, not for standing or bringing in alcohol, but being repeatedly asked and being abusive back.

1 fan even went round the front and tried gaining access back into the stadium via the Main entrance. He almost had the bobbies called on him, such was his abuse.

It was also the fact that when asked too sit down, a few purposely stood up and starting jigging about, whilst watching out of the corner of there eyes, so they knew they were taking the P.

BTW for what its worth, all of this is on CCTV footage along with the radio calls and microphones....

The camera NEVER lies.

Defend as much as you like, the CCTV is linked up too Central watch which is monitored by the Police, so maybe theyll be on CCTV City's soon??

: Fri May 15, 2009 12:48 pm  

Genuine question - to both sides:

Was this match segregated? If not, why do those Widnes fans that want to stand not buy tickets for the North Stand (terrace) were they would be allowed to stand up all game without a moments bother?

2nd Question - to Widnes fans:

If your 'hardcore' prefer to stand, why was the Stobart made all-seater? Why not a 'home' terrace? Were the people of Widnes not consulted over various options for the format of their new stadium, as the people of Leigh were? Does your multi-millionaire chairman not have enough clout with the council to do summat about it? They sorted out the re-branded seating quickly enough - how long would it take to rip a section of seating out, and put up a few crush barriers?

: Fri May 15, 2009 12:50 pm  

If they cant stand at their own ground, why do they think they can at away grounds??

One rule for one........

: Fri May 15, 2009 12:54 pm  

Sod em they still LOST

: Fri May 15, 2009 1:35 pm  

I see no problem with a few fans stood up at the back of the stand. There are wrose things in the world.

It's the nanny states elf and safety numpties who are wrapping us up in bubble-wrap who need their heads sorting out.

In situations like this the stewards/LSV have little option but enforce the rules instead of applying a bit of common sense.

: Fri May 15, 2009 1:51 pm  

Alexs Dad wrote:

I see no problem with a few fans stood up at the back of the stand. There are wrose things in the world.

It's the nanny states elf and safety numpties who are wrapping us up in bubble-wrap who need their heads sorting out.

In situations like this the stewards/LSV have little option but enforce the rules instead of applying a bit of common sense.

I was quite surprised that so many stewards were sent in as, after a few early hiccups at the LGFC games, there haven't been any problems in a similar sized group being stood up at the back of the West Stand for the majority of games. Makes me all the more grateful that we got our wish for terracing in the North Stand though!