Purely out of interest, I contacted the Football Supporters Federation to find out what the rules are on stewards man-handling people and whether they lawfully can, as they are not warranted police officers.
Amanda from the federation, email address amanda.jacks@fsf.org.uk would like to get in contact with you and may be able to assist.
I have the suspicion that Amanda might have to get involve in a few more cases involving stewards and fans as the protest continues, certainly the police will have to.
I have a feeling the stewards may not wish to do this Many times more in the forth coming games due to the response they will get
A banner protest all over the ground is a great idea, but how about one of the huge flags like the 'Killer' one (I think) that nearly all the Covered End or stands could all pass round? Nobody could be ejected for holding it as we would all be holding it!
Getting it in the ground without anyone noticing might be tricky
It seems like the Police were involved (there was comment earlier that the lad that got kicked out had the police basically questioning the stewards as to why). Why didn't they nick the steward who'd punched the woman in the face ? Horrendous behaviour, really hope that whomever it was that carried out what sounds like a nasty assault is identified and dealt with using the full force of the law, we can't be having this at our own ground.
It's important (and not hard in these days of mobiles) that if stewards start advancing towards someone as they did then people ostentatiously start filming. It would be a deterrent to them overstepping the mark and evidence were they to do so. Otherwise it's his word against mine, and courts tend to always side with the poor underpaid steward only doing his job when facing a football yob. Or even a customer.
Hope you take them on and win. I'm not a violent person in the slightest but I've never, ever wanted to give someone a kicking more than the scumbag of a steward who (literally) chucked me out the City Ground a couple of years back for absolutely nothing. Bullying Cowards who get off on picking on easy targets but wouldn't dare try with certain groups. On that occasion it was under the stand so no cameras and all the police could say was "we always get complaints about him - write to the club".
If I ever found out that cretin had been hurt I would raise a glass.
I thought I'd moved on but this has brought the anger all back. Grrrrr.
There must be somebody on this board who knows a steward. If we could get an anonymous quote on what they've been told to do (e.g., to aggressively remove any and all banners critical of the board and eject from the stadium), the media would eat it up.
@Gwen strongly advise you to contact that Football Supporters Federation lady. If I remember correctly, she has investigated claims against our bully boy snatch squad on behalf of an away team a couple of seasons ago, so won't be going into this blind.
I have my own opinions on one or two of that bully mob and their despicable behaviour I have witnessed in the past.
@Gwen sorry all 3 of you had to experience the behavior of those knuckle draggers. As everyone has mentioned, they are just bullies looking for a "This one time I had to (inset lame story of picking on a single fan)" story.
Glad to see the motion is in place to get this moron sorted out and I bet as the justice grip goes for his neck, he will turn into the gutless quivering wreck we know he is.
I am willing to take one for the team. I am a small guy, look about 15 (although I am actually 20). I am willing to hold a nice big banner and if they approach me will stand between them and it, in an unprovocative way hands behind my back but unmoving. Then at the first sign of contact I am falling down the stairs/ over the seats. Serious injuries may follow!
I have some good news and bad news, canters ?
The good news is after seeing your CV, the club are prepared to put you straight into the 18 man squad for Saturday.
The bad news for the rest of us is that, the football team you play for on a Sunday in Kent, Didn't put you on even when they went down to 10 men, and you were the only sub !
This is an accurate assessment of my footballing ability.
The club are aware of a small number of safety and security incidents that took place during and after the match versus Blackburn Rovers at The Valley on Saturday Working with the Police, stadium security and after consulting with fans, we are aware of a small number of safety and security incidents that took place during and after the match versus Blackburn Rovers at The Valley on Saturday.
These specifically relate to the removal of a banner in the Upper North, objects thrown from the Upper West and objects thrown post-match outside main reception.
The CCTV of these incidents has been reviewed and we believe that staff working for Charlton Athletic have acted appropriately at all times. The supporters involved in all of these incidents have been contacted and invited in to see club officials to review the footage and discuss actions taken on the day. We will communicate further after this process is complete.
Private prosecution is pointless. Call 101 explain you've been assaulted (numerous times) a theft (or two has been committed) and explain that you would support a prosecution and are willing to give a statement. Explain the whole thing is on cctv and they also assaulted your mother. The police are duty bound to investigate. It's really that simple
What's the betting the CCTV has accidentally been erased
Maybe, but there are witnesses to the incident who are prepared to back up Gwen and her son. Ringing 101 and reporting the incident will one of the first things to take forward after this incident. No point sending tweets to the police about it if the incident has not been reported in the first place.
As I said before, it probably is a good idea, now, to get a list of anyone in the vinicity or saw what happened. If this does go further at least there will be some evidence relating to the incident.
Best idea is to invite the bully fk steward to have a mano on mano with people who like to participate in his style of response and then batter him tbh
Not surprised, my complaint last year against a bully steward was found to have 'acted in the appropriate manner'. He's still swaggering around. Knew I was wasting my time (no reply from Katrien either surprise surprise)
The more i think about it the more mad it seems how daft the club is treating 'its customers' why are we employing such a heavy handed approach towards our own?
Okay. If anyone saw anything, I'd suggest, at the first opportunity, to write down what they saw. The longer you leave it, the more the mind plays tricks. Apologies for keeping on about this, but it is important.
Theres no point going down the proper route with these people, at the top of the club or the scum bag who done it, play them at their own game at every turn
I've realised there's very little point of following the club on either Facebook or Twitter anymore, nothing that seems to come out of CAFC at the moment seems to be worth paying any attention to.
As for the official site, it's largely rendered pointless because I find stuff out on here.
I remember Katrien Meire having abuse shouted at her on a train and she labelled this 'frightening and not acceptable', she remained untouched. Yet a young boy refusing to leave the stadium of his beloved Club because he had a little (within the allowed size restrictions the Club allow) flag, being man handled and thrown out by the scruff of his neck is noted as them 'acting appropriately'.
I say go for a legal case against the Club/people/person involved, they've played their cards and they've gone all in already to try scare people off of making action. The fact of the matter is if there was an altercation at that point, let's say the boy got pushed after reacting to being man handled... there is a HUGE safety risk alone on the spot they are in the stadium, not just to him and those near him but those below also. That cannot be dismissed.
FSF will help, they are great and really are out to help.
I think it is disgusting that the club has defended the stewards who think it is acceptable to hit a carer in the face, when the police argued with the offender to allow them back into the club. why are the club trying so hard to cover up our message of CARD and why are the club being so defensive.
Next step options are two fold: 1) instead of having the protests in the car park, we remain IN the stadium after the whistle, hoping to get our voices heard in the post match interviews.
2) we take a leaf out of Standard Liege's book and we storm the executive offices until they see that no-one likes the regime.
Comments
If I ever found out that cretin had been hurt I would raise a glass.
I thought I'd moved on but this has brought the anger all back. Grrrrr.
Good luck Gwen and Son.
I have my own opinions on one or two of that bully mob and their despicable behaviour I have witnessed in the past.
Glad to see the motion is in place to get this moron sorted out and I bet as the justice grip goes for his neck, he will turn into the gutless quivering wreck we know he is.
Working with the Police, stadium security and after consulting with fans, we are aware of a small number of safety and security incidents that took place during and after the match versus Blackburn Rovers at The Valley on Saturday.
These specifically relate to the removal of a banner in the Upper North, objects thrown from the Upper West and objects thrown post-match outside main reception.
The CCTV of these incidents has been reviewed and we believe that staff working for Charlton Athletic have acted appropriately at all times. The supporters involved in all of these incidents have been contacted and invited in to see club officials to review the footage and discuss actions taken on the day. We will communicate further after this process is complete.
Read more at http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/statement-2922024.aspx#eBjxKU3Oc26Q0wzu.99
Absolutely outrageous. They really are playing a dangerous game here.
If this does go further at least there will be some evidence relating to the incident.
Now ?
The Police and FSF need to be contacted again.
If anyone saw anything, I'd suggest, at the first opportunity, to write down what they saw.
The longer you leave it, the more the mind plays tricks.
Apologies for keeping on about this, but it is important.
Edit. - re read the story, people involved are invited in to watch the CCTV anyway
As for the official site, it's largely rendered pointless because I find stuff out on here.
I'm sure no journo's already interested in our situation will find anything to say about that...
I say go for a legal case against the Club/people/person involved, they've played their cards and they've gone all in already to try scare people off of making action. The fact of the matter is if there was an altercation at that point, let's say the boy got pushed after reacting to being man handled... there is a HUGE safety risk alone on the spot they are in the stadium, not just to him and those near him but those below also. That cannot be dismissed.
FSF will help, they are great and really are out to help.
Next step options are two fold:
1) instead of having the protests in the car park, we remain IN the stadium after the whistle, hoping to get our voices heard in the post match interviews.
2) we take a leaf out of Standard Liege's book and we storm the executive offices until they see that no-one likes the regime.