Stewards seem to bully the small followings now.
Big club's with big away followings get away with whatever they want, but if you only take 300, expect to be hassled.
Its yet another advantage of supporting a big club.
i complained bout this and got this responce
Dear Mr Burrows
Thank you for your E mail.
These are the facts regarding the incidents in The Jimmy Seed Stand at last nights match. If, after reading this, you wish to take this complaint to 'higher authority', then please feel free to do so.
All 8 ejections were recorded on CCTV.
One of the persons ejected was arrested for a public order offence. That person had, in February 2010, only just finished a 3 year Football Banning Order.
A group of around 15 Swindon fans had been identified by CO 11 at 13.00 causing problems in Central London. Our local Police were notfiied and went to meet them. The group came to The Valley before the South Stand box office had opened. They then went to our West Stand box office and a confrontation took place with some Charlton fans.
Following this they went to the Antigalician public house and later attempted to enter the Conservative Club, where Charlton Athletic supporters meet. They were prevented from entering in the interests of public safety. When they arrived at The Valley, before entering they were given a warning by Police Officers about their behaviour. They were very rowdy.
Once inside the Jimmy Seed Stand they came to the front of the stand and seemed intent on making obscene gestures. I sent a security team to give them a warning and ask them to 'tone it down'. After issuing the warning, the security team started to walk away. I observed some of these youths continue to gesture, this time at our security team. I then instructed them to eject the worst perpetrator. I had hoped that this would act as a deterrent. However, some members of this group continued with their gestures. I then decided to eject one more from this group, at the opposite end of the row from the first one, this seemed to have the desired effect.
After about another 5 minutes had passed, I observed one member of the group leave the seating area and walk down to the pitch gate. He appeared to be remonstrating with the pitch gate steward.
I asked the South Stand Supervisor to investigate. She reported that the supporter was extremely drunk, but she persuaded him to return to his seat. He had been 'having a go' at the pitch gate steward regarding the ejections. Unfortunately, the man in question, although he had returned to his seat, just stood shouting to the pitch gate steward. A decision was taken to eject him. As our security team approached from pitch side, the man who was later arrested, stepped forward and physically tried to prevent our staff from getting to the drunk and abusive supporter. This resulted in our security team having to restrain this man and whilst escorting him up the aisle another man tried to prevent the ejection taking place and he also was ejected and handed over to Police Officers.
At half time, some of the remaining members of this group wanted to argue with the stewards regarding the ejections. Some of this group were drinking alcohol, though it is believed that they bought junior tickets. When one of our security stewards asked one of this group to see his ticket, the reply was 'fuck off you cunt, your all cunts'. Whilst this youth was ejected, another tried to intervene and was also ejected.
I believe that a bank holiday with a late kick off, gave this group of youngsters the opportunity to drink alcohol through out the day and this was a major factor in the poor behaviour of this small minority of visiting supporters.
All of the above incidents were recorded on CCTV and all ejections were observed by Police Officers who were extremely complimentary about the way our security stewards carried out their duties.
Regards,
John Little
Safety Officer
Charlton Athletic Football Club
