Port Vile v Swindon pre match chat and matchday thread

[Posh Red]

Exactly this, let’s move on,  we all know what the EFL will do about it. - FUCK ALL.

If it was just us then I’d agree, but the fact that it happened at other places as well they might be forced into something. That said it will probably be a token gesture & nothing specific against the clubs involved.

At the very least they should withhold any monies due to them from these playoffs.

[Batch]

I said before I don't have a problem with a pitch invasion. That was based off it being harmless celebration, though there was always a small twat element now and again that goad I suppose.

Think Walsall, that was fine.

But things have changed in the last week. Players and people being put in danger.

if you don't stamp it out the minority... give an inch, take a mile.  it only takes one idiot to cause something very serious indeed.

in short, I got the mindset of done pitch invaders totally wrong.

sad days

[JBZ]

Keep off the pitch

[fuzzy]

Staffordshire Police have put out a witness appeal for anyone who witnessed an assault or has video or photo's to call 101, ask for Staffordshire Police  or use facebook or twitter quoting incident number 213 of 16th may 2022.

[Oldwembley69]

Keep off the pitch
This no exceptions

[theakston2k]

Staffordshire Police have put out a witness appeal for anyone who witnessed an assault or has video or photo's to call 101, ask for Staffordshire Police  or use facebook or twitter quoting incident number 213 of 16th may 2022.

Does that include by their manager?

[Jimmy HaveHave]

Why was Clark sent to the stands I missed it?

[RedRag]

Some interesting input on the post match disorder at Vile.

Fuzzy:  An interesting insight to the costs of policing and the division of funding between taxpayer and club.

Webber:  I think you made a good point about the vast majority of friendly invaders being invited to restrain themselves and so cast the spotlight on the minority of idiots who could then be handled so much more easily - and inexpensively.

Part of me enjoyed watching the ecstatic invasion at Walsall.  There were plenty of parents and children which gave the scenes an innocent, festive feel.  But even our own players were ambivalent about even "loving jostling", with McKirdy reminding us that there were still 3 matches to go. I was on a borrowed ticket, so I didn't even need to ask myself the question whether to join in.  But I had read appeals in the programme not to invade the pitch as this would only lead to higher policing requirements for the club which it could not afford.  So "home" invasions are damaging to your own club.  I think the individual clubs could therefore actively communicate this aspect to the more serious and responsible of its fans - so that they can play a part in helping their own club.  Particularly at STFC where there is a very positive relationship between club and owner.  Leaving an easier job of idiot-control.

What I remain unclear about is WHO has the power to REQUIRE clubs to increase policing inside the ground?  It does not appear to be wholly down to the individual club.

As for what went wrong on the night at Vale, I would be inclined to partially "blame" or seek explanations from the Match Commander and especially the Strategic Adviser.  As has been pointed out, the most negative aspects appear to have been capable of control by cordoning off the players and, as at Walsall (but for the Home End in that case), parking a line of police in front of the away end at sufficient distance to control any away invasion as well as missile throwing by the idiots amongst the Home hordes.

But it all comes down to "duty", legally in contract or negligence, as well as morally, and there can be little doubt that the organisers and promoters of the event (EFL. FA, Port Vale) all have a duty of care towards the law abiding spectators and the players and other participants.  And the police have a duty to ensure that they carry out their role professionally.  

The endangerment of players was no Act of God.  The duties appear not to have been met.  Insurance and policing costs will likely soon increase.  I just hope STFC does what it can and that the sensible ones of us help by taking on board that even harmless pitch invasions are going to start negatively impacting our own club.  Doh.

[Qunk]

Found myself wondering if Port Vale might be thrown out of the playoffs because of fans attacking the opposition's players.

Could just imagine that happening to us, but not something that I would want to happen 'just' to still give us a chance of going to Wembley.

I’ve thought the same. We lost the game fair and square, so I wouldn’t want to see us in the final at the expense of Port Vile. However I think it would be an enormous statement of intent if PV lost their place at the expense of Mansfield. I’d have no problem with that whatsoever

[RedRag]

Why was Clark sent to the stands I missed it?

Conroy was involved, legitimately, in getting the ball off  the ballboy - who was acting like a PV player and turning away and holding on to the ball, preventing Conroy from having a quick throw.  Conroy was engaged in trying to take the ball from the ballboy's grasp.  No force at all - just simply putting his hands on the ball to take/tug it from the reluctant ball boy's hands. Clarke stormed out of his technical and created a melee with Conroy, definitively preventing the quick throw and, I didn't see clearly, may have actually given Conroy a little dig/slap in the ribs.  

Hopefully his red card will give him an automatic ban, ensuring he watches the Final from the stands.

A question for others.  Remind me who was the manager who actually tripped Jonny Williams when he was running down the touchline in time added on earlier this year.  That was worse imo.

[Jimmy HaveHave]

Conroy was involved, legitimately, in getting the ball off  the ballboy - who was acting like a PV player and turning away and holding on to the ball, preventing Conroy from having a quick throw.  Conroy was engaged in trying to take the ball from the ballboy's grasp.  No force at all - just simply putting his hands on the ball to take/tug it from the reluctant ball boy's hands. Clarke stormed out of his technical and created a melee with Conroy and, I didn't see clearly, may have actually given Conroy a little dig/slap in the ribs.  

Hopefully his red card will give him an automatic ban, ensuring he watches the Final from the stands.

Cheers RedRag for the info

[RWB Robin]

I suspect, had the invasion happened during the match, something could have been done about PVs place in the final. Because it happened after the end of the game (and the referee was quickly escorted off) that will not/cannot happen.

[fuzzy]

Does that include by their manager?

The police tend not to be invited to investigate incidents like is alleged to have occurred between Clarke and Conroy. Don't ask me why but I suspect that incidents that occur between players and pitch side staff being investigated as crimes would result in every professional footballer and pitch side staff member being subject of investigation.

[Wobbly Bob]

A question for others.  Remind me who was the manager who actually tripped Jonny Williams when he was running down the touchline in time added on earlier this year.  That was worse imo.

That was recent entry into the ranks of the unemployed, Gary Bowyer.

[Jimmy HaveHave]

The police tend not to be invited to investigate incidents like is alleged to have occurred between Clarke and Conroy. Don't ask me why but I suspect that incidents that occur between players and pitch side staff being investigated as crimes would result in every professional footballer and pitch side staff member being subject of investigation.

An old mate of mine served in the Wilts Constabulary for 30 years