SAFETY MATTERS

[behindthegoal]

On the way out of the ground on Saturday I saw a chap in a Kent Fire Brigade body warmer and assumed that he might be the infamous safety officer who has been insisting on all the new safety/crowd control measures over the past few months.

 

I asked him if he was the same and he confirmed that was the case so I introduced myself to him. We had a chat and the gist of waht he said seemed to me that most of his decisions had been made on the assumption that we would at some stage be seeking and indeed reaching league status.

 

I pointed out that if indeed that happened it would be a totally different kettle of fish and indeed much stricter safety measures would be no doubt be needed. However given our present gates and league status what we had now was probably adequate in my humble view given that the facilities are basically the same as they have always been ie ok.

 

I said the most dangerous thing that happened all afternoon was a poor cross that put the ball at speeed in to the crowd that could have hit and knocked over someone. I asked if he would confiscate the ball next?

 

I was able to point out the views I know held by many fans that due to this chaps decisions for months now the atmospehre at the ground has been ruined, that we are no longer able to really get behind the team at the home end and it was affecting the enjoyment of attending games and even the players with the usual level aand volume of support being disappated. I also pointed out that as it was OUR safety he was so concerned about why did he not ask or listen to us the fans?

 

To be fair he listened and even offered to invite me to the next Safety Action Group meeting that considers these matters. I gave him my contact details and it will be interesting to see if he gets in touch.

 

I know thew club have to be careful what they say as this chap has total authority as to if we can stage matches but it would be great if an ordinary fan could put in our viewpoints without compromising the club's position.

 

I for one would not advocate anyone being put in danger at the ground but I and I know others think that this chap has gone way over the top. At least if he knew the consequensces of his actions he might start to take a more reasoned view of life.

 

Watch this space...

[Harry J Allstars]

Our poor run last season happened while the terrace was open. The first match it was closed we won 2-0. The second match it was closed we won in the trophy 3-2. The third match it was closed we won 4-0. We then lost to in form Halifax and Bishops Stortford in evening games but then Beat Canvey 3-2.

 

So in that patch we won 9 points from an available 12, play off form, won a cup match and lost a cup match which was obviously Daish's fault as he is tactically inept (Daish out).

 

Towards the end of last season we didn't play very well at all home or away. The end being closed had no effect on our form and it was more of a case of being safe from relegation and no chance of reaching the play offs.

 

This season we have played very well in all home games in my oppinion and I think deserve at least 7 points from a possible 9 and all with the end mostly shut.

 

I can't wait to get back behind the goal with the atmosphere and the Fleet attacking that end but will people please stop pretending it has any affect on our performances.

[behindthegoal]

Well Harry we will never know if you are right or not as you can't really prove a negative. Who is to say that we would have had even better results with the terrace open? All I am saying is the lack of atmosphere/support must impact on the players as we are told how much the vocal support DOES mean to them (every week in the programme in a number of articles).

[Jeff]

I think it is absolutely essential to get that terace open.

Dunno about anyone else who usually stands there but I have felt like a complete nomad at Stonebridge Road since it got closed down.

This season is a little better but it's very hemmed in behind the goal at the moment.

The stewards don't let you past the yellow line see.

Not that this meant anything to an old bloke stood next to us on Saturday who had open comtempt for the steward in front of us.

In fairness to the old bloke, the steward was being a right jobsworth about the whole thing but all would be solved if the whole end was open.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Quote:

behindthegoal said:
On the way out of the ground on Saturday I saw a chap in a Kent Fire Brigade body warmer and assumed that he might be the infamous safety officer who has been insisting on all the new safety/crowd control measures over the past few months.

I asked him if he was the same and he confirmed that was the case so I introduced myself to him. We had a chat and the gist of waht he said seemed to me that most of his decisions had been made on the assumption that we would at some stage be seeking and indeed reaching league status.

I pointed out that if indeed that happened it would be a totally different kettle of fish and indeed much stricter safety measures would be no doubt be needed. However given our present gates and league status what we had now was probably adequate in my humble view given that the facilities are basically the same as they have always been ie ok.

I said the most dangerous thing that happened all afternoon was a poor cross that put the ball at speeed in to the crowd that could have hit and knocked over someone. I asked if he would confiscate the ball next?

I was able to point out the views I know held by many fans that due to this chaps decisions for months now the atmospehre at the ground has been ruined, that we are no longer able to really get behind the team at the home end and it was affecting the enjoyment of attending games and even the players with the usual level aand volume of support being disappated. I also pointed out that as it was OUR safety he was so concerned about why did he not ask or listen to us the fans?

To be fair he listened and even offered to invite me to the next Safety Action Group meeting that considers these matters. I gave him my contact details and it will be interesting to see if he gets in touch.

I know thew club have to be careful what they say as this chap has total authority as to if we can stage matches but it would be great if an ordinary fan could put in our viewpoints without compromising the club's position.

I for one would not advocate anyone being put in danger at the ground but I and I know others think that this chap has gone way over the top. At least if he knew the consequensces of his actions he might start to take a more reasoned view of life.

Watch this space...

Sorry to tell you, you wasted your breath and your post.
However hard the Safety Officer listened to you, he has no say in the matter, and can't alter a thing. He has strict guidelines handed to him, and he has to act accordingly.
Like it or not, things will never be the same again, after Hillsborough.
The club has to reach the safety standards of one league above, to secure a safety certificate to play in the Conference. If you are promoted then you get a time span to get up to the next standard.

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

Although I agree with AmericanFleetFanNo1's point of view, I think the most disappointing aspect of the whole thing is that a previous Fire Safety Officer had passed the stand fit for use not too long ago!

 

From what I can understand the new guy spent absolutely ages at the ground and caused no end of problems..... Anyone remember the Health and Safety Officer episode of Fawlty Towers? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I cant say he was a bit of a jobsworth in case he is reading this but you get my drift?

 

Where I work I have to do occasional risk assessments with regard to Health and Safety issues and I would have passed the stand fit in its present state, providing we keep the crowds at its present level. If we had a real big game I would be a bit worried about the lack of barriers, rear egresss and the overall poor state of the concrete. This is something which could be controlled on match days by stewards keeping an eye on the numbers. (Spookily enough isn't that whats happening?)

 

Of course now the Stand has been closed, no ammount of moaning to the guy will help! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/megaphon.gif" alt="" /> Its impossible to overturn a decision like that unless some work is done.

 

On the subject of the stewards.

 

I was told that they were given strict instructions to keep the zones completely clear because if the Safety Officer saw ANY irregularities he had the power to close the ground. They were a bit abrupt at times (almost to the point of rudeness?) but I think they were just reflecting the fact that the club is very wary of this particular Safety Officer!

 

By the way, if the Safety Officer concerned does read this, its all my own assumption and obviously nothing to do with the club!!!!

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Better the Officer was severe in his assessment, than somebody had an accident and sued the club. I know nobody likes the inconvenience caused, but nobody goes to a match expecting to get hurt. Anything that is done to keep the crowd safe has to be for the good of the game in general!

[Rainham Bob]

Speaking as a fireman of 20 years, 12 of which have been at Dartford, I have to agree with the Fire Safety Officer who was called into the ground to inspect it, because the club had applied for a sports ground license allowing for promotion etc. How many years has that appalling terrace been like that with uneven and crumbling steps?

Stewards will never control a huge crowd, look at the Canvey game in the Ryman League, if there had been a surge that night behind the goal, believe me, another Hillsborough was possible. 20 stewards will not hold back a mass of 500 people.If two people had fallen, tripping others, there could have been deaths.

As has been stated, the Officer involved hasn't made recommendations and requirements to be bloody-minded, he is dictated to by every Health and Safety law, Sportsground and Arenas legislation et al post Bradford and Hillsborough and with Heysel in mind too. To the gent who carries out Health and Safety and Risk assessments at his place of work, go in tomorrow and see how many fire doors are wedged open! If you work in a small enough property then YOU are responsible for any contraventions and subject to being sued over any injury through fire.

I would like to see OUR club go up but if that doesn't happen for a few years I would like to at least see us play in the LDV trophy (or whatever it's called) because it would give the fans and obviously the management the chance to see how much further we need to progress should we gain promotion. I want the best for the club, the club has a duty of care to it's fans in terms of safety and it is the Fire Brigade's responsibility too ensure those laws, which are mandatory, are adhered to.

[Hempstead Gaz]

As a safety training offcer, I agree 100% with that, Bob.

As a club, we CANNOT risk having even 1 fan injured because of crumbling terracing. Let us fix it, regardless of cost. Fans welfare are more important than money.

[Rainham Bob]

Blimey, cheers for that. I thought I was going to get slaughtered!

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

But we will slaughter you for supporting Leeds tho !!

[UP FLEET]

Quote:

Wobbly Wayne rides again said:
But we will slaughter you for supporting Leeds tho !!

No we wont.......we got robbo... Englands No 1..Englands, Englands No1.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" />

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

Quote:

 

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Wobbly Wayne rides again said:

But we will slaughter you for supporting Leeds tho !!

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

No we wont.......we got robbo... Englands No 1..Englands, Englands No1....

 

 

when did he sign for us then, I thought WE had Kerr, Holloway and McShane.

[Rainham Bob]

Yeah, the Leeds thing stems from the first game I ever saw. It was on the TV and was the 1972 Cup Final. I wanted Leeds to win and they did!

Just think, I could have supported [****!!****]!

[Robbo]

Quote:

UP FLEET said:

Quote:

Wobbly Wayne rides again said:
But we will slaughter you for supporting Leeds tho !!

No we wont.......we got robbo... Englands No 1..Englands, Englands No1.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" />

Thankyou please. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />