Clueless stewards barring innocent fans

[Kieran]

Why do those on the corporate have to walk through the west terrace? Another 30 seconds to walk round to the turnstiles wouldn't hurt would it?

They'd have to come back in through the gate or turnstiles and still walk through the away supporters as the away supporters would need access to the toilets. That'd be breaking the segregation rules again.

Who's segregation rules are these, and where are they stated?

[Steeley]

Who cares that away fans have a quarter of the Holker Street End? When was the last time we would have filled it?

This.

[spirit of 1990]

They'd have to come back in through the gate or turnstiles and still walk through the away supporters as the away supporters would need access to the toilets. That'd be breaking the segregation rules again.

Who's segregation rules are these, and where are they stated?

I'm guessing the FA's but it doesn't make much difference does it? I think if any club has segregation in place then common sense dictates that anyone other than away supporters are not allowed in there. Not much point in having segregation then allowing home supporters to walk through them.

Like I say, I'm no fan of giving away the HSE but as things stand, this is the ruling. We (GMV's) after speaking with Mike Forsyth did our best with the compromise being - making a better fence if we were allowed to move it further North (not as far North as most would like.....)

[Lancaster Branch]

I always found it funny that away fans are allowed in the bar, with access to weapons grade Stiegl and glassware but are segregated once we get outside. Maybe wind and drizzle is the key component when it comes to moodiness?

[The Tomahawk Kid]

What an EXCELLENT point! Mmmmm...definitely food for thought, that!
That makes our current segregation policy a bit of a joke, really, doesn't it?

Well said, Lancaster Branch!

Is there any chance of getting the Health and Safety Officer (Mike Forsyth?) to comment on this?

[Gasser]

Why do those on the corporate have to walk through the west terrace? Another 30 seconds to walk round to the turnstiles wouldn't hurt would it?

They'd have to come back in through the gate or turnstiles and still walk through the away supporters as the away supporters would need access to the toilets. That'd be breaking the segregation rules again.

Ah right, I wasn't thinking about them coming back at half time, I suppose it would be impractical. I do a couple of corporates a season but never sit in the stand, just wobble round the terraces

[Kieran]

Who's segregation rules are these, and where are they stated?

I'm guessing the FA's but it doesn't make much difference does it?

I think it does make a difference Ian yes, if its being given by the club as an answer. If its not the FA or Conference that impose this "rule" then I don't see why its an issue. Corporates wandered through that section of the ground for a number of seasons without being lynched by baying mobs of away fans and it wouldn't be an issue to do so again. If I remember rightly it was the case that corporates were brought out through the tunnel and round the pitch perimeter for a while too.

[glasgow_blue]

I can't really see an ideal situation until developement (haha) of the main stand happens. Hopefully a new stand would incorporate changing rooms, corporate etc etc. Then the old steelworks end could be developed for away supporters. It shouldn't take too much to put a few rows of terracing. They could always have that side of a new main stand, leaving the whole Holker St end for the massed ranks of Bluebirds. Simples

[Wintergreen]

...leaving the whole Holker St end for the massed ranks of Bluebirds...

You mean the dozen or so stalwarts that remain like Antony Gormley's 'Another Place' when Barrow attack the Cross Bar End?

[spirit of 1990]

I'm guessing the FA's but it doesn't make much difference does it?

I think it does make a difference Ian yes, if its being given by the club as an answer. If its not the FA or Conference that impose this "rule" then I don't see why its an issue. Corporates wandered through that section of the ground for a number of seasons without being lynched by baying mobs of away fans and it wouldn't be an issue to do so again. If I remember rightly it was the case that corporates were brought out through the tunnel and round the pitch perimeter for a while too.

I would think it's the FA or possibly the Conference that these rules belong to Kieran. End of the day FA, Conference or club rules, it's not going to change anytime soon, we couldn't change it seven years ago when there seemed to be a lot more passion about it so I cant see it altering at the moment. Like I said earlier, it's an old ground and certain aspects of it are just not compatible with the way clubs have to be run now, this is probably the best solution as things stand.

Regarding walking around the pitch to get to a seat....then back, then back.....and then back again just doesn't sound too good in this weather does it?

Dave's point about the mixing of supporters in the Cross Bar is a valid one, and I don't know the answer to that (I don't really know the answer to many of these questions so I have to e-mail or contact different people at the club with each & every one)
It might have something to do with FA or Conference rules again, I'll ask the question but we seem to be going around in circles now.

[Jonty]

The segregation is flawed anyway when you think about the main stand segregation. It doesn't exist. Ian you talk about compatibility and the way grounds need to be run now. So what is going to be done about it. Have the club got any sort of outline plan on how to manage a full house scenario with 1000 away fans. Can we manage that currently with all things considered. This is where we need to be if we have real aspirations of promotion. These things need looking at as possible scenarios and the infrastructure put into place now

The current configuration of the ground does not lend itself to an obvious solution.

[barrowaberdeen]

Ian, fair play for trying to answer every question put, it's not like you can solve 40 years of underfunding, mismanagement and quite a lot of grudges between police, stewards and fans, right or wrong. for one reason or another over the last 10 years or so.

We are where we are. But worse than any of this is the seeming inability in the ground of anyone to get behind the team in the way that they currently deserve. That's the fault of the following people:

1) The "There's no point, it's not the same as away when we are drunk" brigade

2) The Silent Youth- I personally am quite happy to see groups of lads congregating at the fence to goad the away fans (it keeps people in Penrith in a job looking at the 'spotters# notes) but it would be good if they sang a bit more and with a bit more humour. Newsflash..you are not going to have a row with middle aged Maidstone fans, dressed in club colours with a drum. Find summat else to do while you are there.

3) The Random Youth- There's about 50 in this category in 6 groups. You don't want to stand with the others, wear overpriced designer wear or fakes and attract attention, fine..how about seeing the whole thing as less of a school social and make some noise though?

4) The "I was there when it had a roof and it was like Galatasary/The North Bank and we were bootboys and do you remember Goole Town...etc etc etc' Brigade. Have they removed your testicles as you gained 40 + years? Why come on here and even discuss it! Do something!

5) The "It's not the same as when Reg was driving the van to Whitby" brigade. Insert 30 plus comment to 40 one above.

6) The people who were happier swapping programmes at Marine and see anything beyond polite applause as tantamount to Luton vs Millwall 85

7) The 'I don't like the people who sing, they're a clique' people..I mean.. really?

8)The "I'm too much of an adult to back the side in such an attention seeking manner" self satisfied squad. Fine, but some light shouting wouldn't come amiss, maybe a murmur of disappointment?

9) The Stand..actually has some folk who will make a noise! (as well as a fair few of 4 and 7)

10)The stewards.. who combine a modicum of assumed power with a spectacular lack of understanding of football crowds and who don't like groups 1, 2 and sometimes 4 and 5

11) Barrow Police- One law for home fans, another for away fans, trial by Twitter, hotline to the scurrilous local tabloid.

12)Bedwetting smart Alecs who say nothing at the game then come on here and slag groups 1-4 and 6 off. Often don't live in Barrow.

So, in short, all of us. To me, that's miles more important than whether we have a roof, nice loos, pies or whatever else.
We've got one of the worst home supports in this league now. Would it be a crazy idea to make it more interesting and intimidating in the ground? Would we even be able to without vendettas, arrests, weird bannings of 14 year olds and 50 page threads on here? Maybe, just maybe, it would be a better 'experience' and we'd get more in through the gate if we got together more and backed the side.

All Barrow Aren't We?

[The Tomahawk Kid]

All this talk about segregation...I don't know! It's not as if we ever get 1,000+ traveling fans is it?

Unless...
No!
Surely it won't happen?
Could it?
Will it?
Oh, my God!...

FA Cup Round 3
AT HOME to:

Manchester United?
Liverpool?


OR

God Forbid!

West Ham!
Millwall!

It's written in the stars...I tell ye!

[glasgow_blue]

...leaving the whole Holker St end for the massed ranks of Bluebirds...

You mean the dozen or so stalwarts that remain like Antony Gormley's 'Another Place' when Barrow attack the Cross Bar End?

Yep, should have put lol on the end lol XX

[glasgow_blue]

Ian, fair play for trying to answer every question put, it's not like you can solve 40 years of underfunding, mismanagement and quite a lot of grudges between police, stewards and fans, right or wrong. for one reason or another over the last 10 years or so.

We are where we are. But worse than any of this is the seeming inability in the ground of anyone to get behind the team in the way that they currently deserve. That's the fault of the following people:

1) The "There's no point, it's not the same as away when we are drunk" brigade

2) The Silent Youth- I personally am quite happy to see groups of lads congregating at the fence to goad the away fans (it keeps people in Penrith in a job looking at the 'spotters# notes) but it would be good if they sang a bit more and with a bit more humour. Newsflash..you are not going to have a row with middle aged Maidstone fans, dressed in club colours with a drum. Find summat else to do while you are there.

3) The Random Youth- There's about 50 in this category in 6 groups. You don't want to stand with the others, wear overpriced designer wear or fakes and attract attention, fine..how about seeing the whole thing as less of a school social and make some noise though?

4) The "I was there when it had a roof and it was like Galatasary/The North Bank and we were bootboys and do you remember Goole Town...etc etc etc' Brigade. Have they removed your testicles as you gained 40 + years? Why come on here and even discuss it! Do something!

5) The "It's not the same as when Reg was driving the van to Whitby" brigade. Insert 30 plus comment to 40 one above.

6) The people who were happier swapping programmes at Marine and see anything beyond polite applause as tantamount to Luton vs Millwall 85

7) The 'I don't like the people who sing, they're a clique' people..I mean.. really?

8)The "I'm too much of an adult to back the side in such an attention seeking manner" self satisfied squad. Fine, but some light shouting wouldn't come amiss, maybe a murmur of disappointment?

9) The Stand..actually has some folk who will make a noise! (as well as a fair few of 4 and 7)

10)The stewards.. who combine a modicum of assumed power with a spectacular lack of understanding of football crowds and who don't like groups 1, 2 and sometimes 4 and 5

11) Barrow Police- One law for home fans, another for away fans, trial by Twitter, hotline to the scurrilous local tabloid.

12)Bedwetting smart Alecs who say nothing at the game then come on here and slag groups 1-4 and 6 off. Often don't live in Barrow.

So, in short, all of us. To me, that's miles more important than whether we have a roof, nice loos, pies or whatever else.
We've got one of the worst home supports in this league now. Would it be a crazy idea to make it more interesting and intimidating in the ground? Would we even be able to without vendettas, arrests, weird bannings of 14 year olds and 50 page threads on here? Maybe, just maybe, it would be a better 'experience' and we'd get more in through the gate if we got together more and backed the side.

All Barrow Aren't We?

About sums it up, great post