Barriers At East Stand Gates

[Larky Mafia]

Was this a one off excercise or do folks now need to come to the gate before 2:45 to make sure they get in on time.

Does anyone know why they had the barriers other than to ask " Owny bottals or cans own yae"

[Big Stall]

And why does it take 8 security guards to stop us getting in, and wat is the point in having 6-8? working turnstyles, when said security guards are only letting punters through on a 1 by 1 basis.

 

Also heard reports of the security guards and turnstyle operators having a barny with each other.

 

Farce!

[Andy_P]

Was this a one off excercise or do folks now need to come to the gate before 2:45 to make sure they get in on time.

Does anyone know why they had the barriers other than to ask " Owny bottals or cans own yae"

 

Its a fair question.

 

Had it been a deliberate ploy to manage the queue, say to keep folk off the road then you could possibly justify the barriers.

 

Even though I was in sharp all it seemed to do was a create a uneccesary bottle neck at the turnstiles.

 

Another case of doing something to justify the presence or was it genuinely just to prevent stuff being taken into the ground?

[controversial]

Got a good frisking too. Perhaps looking for grass seed??

[Frazzie]

I got a frisking aswell, but that was only because I was cheeky.

[coldonmac]

I thought it was as a result of the bottle being thrown on the field at a match in England the week before.

[Steve Diggle]

If the barriers and extra security are a solution to something - what was the problem that it was addressing? No one appears to know

 

No communication beforehand from the security firm or the club on the reason for it which always rankles.

 

the measures seem to be increasing week on week.

 

I must admit being a cantankerous old git that has come to Fir Park for approaching 40years and heading in through the ST gate it really pisses me off to be asked if I've any bottles or cans. So far I've just stared at the staff who have asked me and refused to answer.

 

It's a simple question with a simple answer I know but it's unexplained shit like this that switches people off.

[Big Trac]

It doesn't bother me as I'm so late that there's no-one in the queue and just the one brain-dead boy asking about bottles and cans. It doesn't bother me too much, but it does make you wonder why it's necessary, and as Steve Diggle says, it's the lack of communication about it which irks people.

 

There's been no incidents that I remember, so why get people's backs up for no reason. If there is a reason, start a dialogue, or at least inform people (through the club website or something) that it will be happening and asking for fans to co-operate. It might not really be necessary but it hurts no-one to ease possible tension.

[Dead Star]

Its illegal to bring any form of "controlled container" into a football ground, seeing as it may have alcohol in it. Its necessary because theres been instances of people putting alcohol in bottles using syringes, or putting false bottoms on bottles just to sneak it into the football.

 

I don't understand how the club following the law can cause tension? Its actually an arrestable offence to have a bottle at a football game, would you rather that this happened? Its been the norm not to have these things at the football since the Taylor Report was published, close to 20 years ago now, why does it still cause friction?

[Jay]

Its illegal to bring any form of "controlled container" into a football ground, seeing as it may have alcohol in it. Its necessary because theres been instances of people putting alcohol in bottles using syringes, or putting false bottoms on bottles just to sneak it into the football.

 

I don't understand how the club following the law can cause tension? Its actually an arrestable offence to have a bottle at a football game, would you rather that this happened? Its been the norm not to have these things at the football since the Taylor Report was published, close to 20 years ago now, why does it still cause friction?

 

I can't see where there's any friction on this thread regarding not being allowed bottles into the ground.

 

It's the complete farce outside the turnstyles on Saturday that people are obviously discussing.

[Big Trac]

I can't see where there's any friction on this thread regarding not being allowed bottles into the ground.

 

It's the complete farce outside the turnstyles on Saturday that people are obviously discussing.

 

Yup. There's no problem with the law. It's just some confusion (which might lead to tension) with a sudden change in practice without explanation.

 

The Taylor report was published over 20 years ago. So why start doing something about it 20 years later? (Yeah, I know that's a little facetious, but you get my point) If people have been bringing drink or bottles in then I wasn't aware of it if they had. They could just explain that some people have, so that the rest of the fans know what the hold-up is about. I'm not actually that bothered, I just think that some communication can nip potential problems in the bud, and it's often ignored.

[Brazilian]

Just another instance of Football fans being labelled as hooligans,

 

and another part of the experience that will just turn people off attending

 

those in charge will just carry on killing the game with measures like this

[Steve Diggle]

Its illegal to bring any form of "controlled container" into a football ground, seeing as it may have alcohol in it. Its necessary because theres been instances of people putting alcohol in bottles using syringes, or putting false bottoms on bottles just to sneak it into the football.

 

I don't understand how the club following the law can cause tension? Its actually an arrestable offence to have a bottle at a football game, would you rather that this happened? Its been the norm not to have these things at the football since the Taylor Report was published, close to 20 years ago now, why does it still cause friction?

 

Don't be a fanny Dead Star we all know and understand the law on controlled containers.

 

People are talking about a significant change in the way the turnstyles are being policed at Fir Park over the the last 4 or 5 games.

[Yabba's Turd]

People are talking about a significant change in the way the turnstiles are being policed at Fir Park over the the last 4 or 5 games.

Isn't there a new mob doing the stewarding?

[Dead Star]

The wee boys are just doing their jobs, making sure that no bottles or cans are being brought in.

 

You complain its a farce, and want to get in quicker, then dont be a smartarse to them when their asking you. I'm sure a quick no will suffice, instead people stare at them without answering. I'm certain that doesnt hold up the queue.

[Steve Diggle]

The wee boys are just doing their jobs, making sure that no bottles or cans are being brought in.

 

You complain its a farce, and want to get in quicker, then dont be a smartarse to them when their asking you. I'm sure a quick no will suffice, instead people stare at them without answering. I'm certain that doesnt hold up the queue.

 

OK

 

I'm not holding anything up mate - there's no delay or queue build up with me - i just walk staright past to the turnstile and into the ground avoiding the question.

 

It's those guys that are adding delays with their frisking and new barrier set up

[Dodge]

People are talking about a significant change in the way the turnstyles are being policed at Fir Park over the the last 4 or 5 games.

 

Turnstyles are still operated by club but stewarding company control everything inside and outside the ground.

 

An issue with the barries which no one has mentioned is that someone approaching from Taggarts end of the road has to venture onto the road to get to the queue which must be as big if not more of a health and safety risk as letting folk in with a container.

 

Folk coming to the ground has previously been policed lightly by the police as its never really been an issue at Fir Park. With the club looking to reduce Police presence by as much as 75% next season then this is a job which the new mob are enforcing.

[Dead Star]

Out of interest, who does the stewarding at Fir Park?

[Dodge]

Out of interest, who does the stewarding at Fir Park?

 

Can't mind the name of the company but they do the stewarding at Parkhead, Ibrox, Douglas Park and at quite a few other grounds.

 

Edit - I think its something like Up Front Security.

 

As a wee aside - perhaps Saturday could be a reaction to Milky and his mates actions the other week at Hamilton in a way to prevent such a thing happening in the East Stand.

[Dead Star]

Can't mind the name of the company but they do the stewarding at Parkhead, Ibrox, Douglas Park and at quite a few other grounds.

 

Edit - I think its something like Up Front Security.

 

Nah, the company I work for (G4S) does Parkhead and Ibrox, as well as all the ones in Edinburgh, Pittodrie etc.

 

Just wondering if I could put a wee query forward to a manager about it but nevermind.

[Big Stall]

To be honest I dont have a problem with them frisking the fans etc. But they need to find a way to go about the operation more efficiently. The way they worked it on Saturday, there was no need for any more than 2 turnstyles to be in operation, because it took so long for security to do their job the 2 closest turnstyles had cleared anyway.

 

Also, there was about 8 of them standing there having a confab like jumped up bouncers at a nightclub, with less than half of them actually doing any security screening.

 

It was a farce! Maybe not the goals of it, but certainly the methods.

[Dodge]

Nah, the company I work for (G4S) does Parkhead and Ibrox, as well as all the ones in Edinburgh, Pittodrie etc.

 

Just wondering if I could put a wee query forward to a manager about it but nevermind.

 

It is the same company you work for - my head isn't with it today. I take it you've decided not to work the Well games as they are pulling folk in from Edinburgh and a large contingent from Fife to cover Well games as well as folk from parts of deep dark Glesga.

[Dead Star]

It is the same company you work for - my head isn't with it today. I take it you've decided not to work the Well games as they are pulling folk in from Edinburgh and a large contingent from Fife to cover Well games as well as folk from parts of deep dark Glesga.

 

I've never been asked to work well games because Up Front Security cover them, and I work for G4S?

 

I assume you were right, just my last post made you sound like i thought you werent, sorry!

[Dodge]

I've never been asked to work well games because Up Front Security cover them, and I work for G4S?

 

I assume you were right, just my last post made you sound like i thought you werent, sorry!

 

Sorry my last post wasn't clear. Its is G4S which covers Fir Park apologies for any confusion I caused. As I said my head isn't working right today.

[Guest 'Flow]

Folks,

 

The reason why there are ‘barriers’ at the East Stand turnstile was a recommendation from Strathclyde Police to assist in the search for potential controlled containers and/or objects which could be used a “missile”.

 

There has been an increased problem at Fir Park (and away grounds) of items getting into the ground that shouldn’t be (bottles etc) which has meant the club have had to tighten up security procedures. Indeed, at our last away game we had an issue that received much coverage in the local and national press.

 

The barriers are designed to assist the Stewards (who carry out the searches). As is stands, entry to the East Stand can come from both the Fir Park Club end and the Taggarts end which makes it difficult to monitor.

 

I believe the longest anyone had to queue was about 4/5 minutes. The club would like to thank the fans for their co-operation .Iteresting to note that since the measures have been introduced, I believe there has been a significant reduction in the amount of containers found after the crowds have dispersed and more importantly, no instances of anything been thrown onto the pitch.

 

Cheers...