Fan Segregation : Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:57 pm  

Can anyone explain why the South Stand which is supposed to be where the "away" fans are supposed to be, has yet to be opened?
I ask, because at the Batley match there were a good few in the West Stand where I have my season ticket and I heard quite a few derogatory/inflammatory comments directed at the Leigh team and its performance. Normally this would be like water off a ducks back but what I wonder would happen, if say a Leyther with a few pints inside him took exception, who carries the can when the RFL go ape.
I asked a Steward on the way out and he said RL is a family sport and the RFL management are against segregation and any problems should be reported to the nearest Steward. What about when Widnes visit I asked, thats been sorted he says, the South Stand will be opened.
Is this a comment on the expected conduct of the Widnes travelling fans
Its seems to me that the cost of Stewarding is the issue, so who employs them Leigh or the LSV.
Sorry if these questions have been asked before, but I am new to the forum

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:02 pm  

Think it's got more to do with expected travelling numbers more than anything - not worth opening the South for a few dozen speccies when everyone other than Widnes and 'Fax are the visitors. Even Huddersfield had to share the East Stand with Wigan on Friday.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:39 pm  

Sadly that's the reality in this league.At Widnes our East stand is open occasionally but the opposite West stand has been mothballed since our last SL season.Away support is a huge problem in the lower leagues and some would point out,with some justification,that Widnes haven't helped themselves by playing in the evenings.However,I don't think it makes a lot of difference myself.20 Sheffield fans at our gaff last Saturday opposed to what?30 of them had the game been on a Sunday afternoon.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:42 pm  

GSF wrote:

Sadly that's the reality in this league.At Widnes our East stand is open occasionally but the opposite West stand has been mothballed since our last SL season.Away support is a huge problem in the lower leagues and some would point out,with some justification,that Widnes haven't helped themselves by playing in the evenings.However,I don't think it makes a lot of difference myself.20 Sheffield fans at our gaff last Saturday opposed to what?30 of them had the game been on a Sunday afternoon.

Not wrong there. Think it would be a more noticeable difference if comparing the away support of one of the bigger sides on a Sunday versus an evening kick off.

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:17 am  

Stewards 'employed' by LSV, it costs over £1500 to 'open' up a stand so I suppose the projected estimate of travelling fans has to be taken into account to make it financially viable whether to open the stand or not.

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:20 pm  

Warrington have/do not open the away end for Catalan and Celtic.....enough said. Also neither end is open at Wire for their CC game against York.

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:41 pm  

Thanks to all who replied to my question, its all clear now.