Thanks to all the fans who attended Sunday
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:13 amAs the Ground Safety Officer for the Celtic Crusaders, I can not let Sunday's tragedy pass by, without passing on my thanks and praise to all the fans who attended the game on Sunday. This was the most tragic and testing circumstances I have faced in 9 years as a ground safety officer. When the news about Leon came through, there was no debate really regarding the match being postponed. However, the priority was containing the information to ensure that Leon's family could be informed properly without hearing it through the media. For this reason we had to prevent further entry into the ground without given the fans outside a proper reason. Worse still we could not tell the fans inside the match was postponed until we had gathered all the media together to ensure this sensitive situation did not get onto the airways. There was a very tense 25 minutes before we were informed that Leon's parents had been informed. Even then we new there were other family members who had to be contacted. For that reason we had to postpone the match and the only reason we could give was "for reasons beyond our control the match was postponed." Added to this, we could not offer on the day refunds due to the number of tickets pre sold, therefore insufficient funds being in the kiosk. All of these factors, were a potential flash point, but the priority concern for us all was maintaining sensitivity for Leon's family.
My fears were eleviated after the announcement, when I am pleased to say that the fans both inside the ground and locked outside caused no trouble what so ever. I am aware that, some fans had already heard about an injury in the reserves match. But not every one new, and most did not know how serious it was.
My thanks and praise goes to each and everyone of you who attended on Sunday, your behaviour and respect, with such little info was exemplary. You are all a credit to our great sport.
I just hope that for years to come, supporters across the land when they hear the announcement that a game is being postponed "due to circumstances beyond our control" will behave in the manner the Wakefield and Crusader fans did.
I look forward to seeing you all again under better circumstances.
My condolences to Leon and his family.
My fears were eleviated after the announcement, when I am pleased to say that the fans both inside the ground and locked outside caused no trouble what so ever. I am aware that, some fans had already heard about an injury in the reserves match. But not every one new, and most did not know how serious it was.
My thanks and praise goes to each and everyone of you who attended on Sunday, your behaviour and respect, with such little info was exemplary. You are all a credit to our great sport.
I just hope that for years to come, supporters across the land when they hear the announcement that a game is being postponed "due to circumstances beyond our control" will behave in the manner the Wakefield and Crusader fans did.
I look forward to seeing you all again under better circumstances.
My condolences to Leon and his family.