[Archived] Guantanamo Bay in the Darwen End

[thenodrog]

That is how I understand it. I have seen stewards asking to look in.peoples bags at various football grounds. That is also a search.

I have seen stewards asking to look in peoples bags at other grounds, as well as ewood park.

Maybe we need to consider the horrific case of the Welsh fan who was killed by a flare with this, but the declared intention of removing harmless banners is imo just an open expression of guilt for what has gone on and is still going on.

As for me every passing month just confirms that my decision to not renew my ST last summer was the right one. The Rovers haven't missed me and to be quite honest I've not missed them and even more tellingly I'm missing the Ewood experience less and less each and every fortnight! Once the habit is broken it takes an awful lot of repairing.

[thenodrog]

I look forward to next home game.

I will begin by asking if they have a CRB check, then asking for evidence. I will then be asking to be searched privately with a witness in a secure room.

At last a chance for the FF to reverse the damage to their reputation! Be an idea to have a FF representative at every DE turnstile informing people or even giving them a leaflet informing them of their rights re:search procedures.

[thenodrog]

Don't know why you pander to these morons.

Personally, have never liked Newsham Dip,s,M.I.I.R.S.M. Dip, E.M.I.M.A.- IMO, full of his own importance, as his 'showcasing' of his 'letters' signify, and not even moderately competent in what he does. Always remember when City fans 'took' Ewood - absolutely clueless, IMO!

Newsham! I had a swift run in with him a number of years ago when he ludicrously attempted to keep the exit at the back of the Riverside closed at full time instead of leaving it open for people at the back of the stands to exit that way. The man is puffed up with self importance but underneath is a complete pratt and a dullard to boot.

[Silittl]

No they weren't. None of the children with us were searched. In fact we were joking with the stewards that if we wanted to get anything dodgy into the ground we could just get the kids to carry it. Maybe that's why they started to search the kids...!?!

Just out of interest your profile says you sit in the BE. Did you switch for this game or are you peddling second hand info? Because you seem to very certain of the 'facts' for someone who wasn't actually there.

Again incorrect. Villa fans were searched just the same as Rovers fans. How do I know? Well, other than knowing what I saw with my own two eyes, we were walking to the ground with some Villa fans who thought they were being unfairly vicitimised for trouble in previous years, with firstly the Fernhurst being closed to them and then the searches on the turnstiles!

I really really don't see the problem. Being asked to be searched by a steward happens at many grounds and venues around the country and the world. I found the stewards to be fairly helpful and polite - although as I always try to be polite and friendly to people I usually find that they respond in the same way. Maybe if I'd gone in shouting the odds they would have behaved differently towards me.

It just seems like an excuse, for people who want to, to shout and stamp your feet and badmouth the club some more. Haven't you got enough things to moan about without the mock outrage at what is, as I've said, fairly standard practise at football grounds up and down the country.

I have swapped for remainder of season so yrs I am sure of the facts. And we have proof of a 9 yr old being searched.

Secondly yes the villa finds we're searched but not in the same manner as those entering the DE. In fact not all Villa fans were searched. Did they get made line up in single file and made to feel like convicts NO. That's the big difference

[Mattyblue]

Realist, I don't go in there so I don't know, but how were the DEnders 'taking the pi$$' at the QPR game?

[Stuart]

Matty, there's no point getting into debate with "Realist".

I note also that time after time, thread after thread the same names will defend Venkys FC no matter what the issue.

The fact of the matter is the club are treating loyal* home fans with complete disdain over the potential for a small number holding up banners saying Kean Out or Venkys Out. These same fans are then targeted with emails wanting them to buy more club merchandise, and will soon be sent letters encouraging them to renew their season tickets.

It's ######-poor no matter how some people try to excuse it or make it seem justifiable.

* loyal fans being those who continue to turn up despite the complete aberration of the last 18 months.

[Mattyblue]

It's a fairly simple issue.

You go to an away ground, you expect to get searched.

You take a bag to Ewood, you expect to get it searched.

Mass searches of our own fans as they line up single file, is just something that would never have happened pre VenKean. Though there is nothing illegal about it, it just shows how the club has changed.

[arbitro]

This was the decision of John Newsham and him alone. It was in response to some banners displayed during the QPR match which really irked him and his reaction was to do what he did on Saturday. Personally I don't want anybody touching me who I don't know, just because somebody has had a clear CRB check doesn't mean that they aren't some kind of sexual deviant, it just means that they haven't been caught. But ground regulations allow clubs to do this and they have the backing of the FA. I know this after having an issue at Birmingham a few seasons ago. I won't bore you with the details but basically the FA said that each club has carte blanche to do what they want. I tried to argue a human rights case but just got passed from pillar to post (as you do with big organisations) and got fed up.

Whilst working at Man City once I had a metal detector scan my folder containing all my documents. When I asked why they said it was to prevent people from smuggling bombs in.

I can't ever remember being searched before I go into M&S, Sainsburys or any retailers for that matter.

[OJRovers]

The reality is that even though Newsham is head of 'Safety' this is nothing to do with safety. This is to do with him sucking up to whatever Venkys say, ie they don't want any sort of protest banner in the ground.

Is it within the safety guidelines to have stewards stood all game in the aisle? Surely they would cause an obstruction if people had to get out quick?

[Bluefudge]

Seems to me if your employed at Ewood, you say 'yes' to everything.

That way you keep your job.....

Even if the means losing your own self respect.

[greco]

being searched while attending a match, is not a problem for me, ita fine if its for safety etc. This doesnt seem to be the case here, this seems to have an underlying tone of harrassment, trying to strangle those who oppose the V´s and a power trip from this newsham dud(e). i cant understand that anyone would defend these actions, when the agenda is so obvious, but to each their own, i guess

[Tom]

The stewards were on the stairs to stop people overcrowding.

At times in the top corner of the DE there have been more folk in rows than there are seats which causes problems, once it was full they stood up there to stop further people packing in.

That's a good decision IMO, the searches I have no view on at this stage as I didn't see it myself so don't know how far OTT it was.

[Mercer]

It's pretty simple, as others have said, turn-up in your printed tee shirts, brave a little bit of cold and job done.

[47er]

Realist, I don't go in there so I don't know, but how were the DEnders 'taking the pi$$' at the QPR game?

And why should it have anything to do with anything if they were?

[Ozz]

Seems to me if your employed at Ewood, you say 'yes' to everything.

That way you keep your job.....

Even if the means losing your own self respect.

So pretty much like most places of work then.

[rhodie]

Don`t understand exactly what people are objecting to being searched for or the extra security .Once again a molehill being turned into a mountain.All this is achieving is fans falling out when we should be sticking together. "Right of admission reserved" is all that applies here its obvious that whatever complaint or objection are raised that will basically be the "go too" answer.Lol at the person saying earlier that he`ll insist on a private search and credential checks etc.Sorry pal but all they`ll say is do one.This is exactly all that the protests etc. have achieved, Us versus Them.

[barry_]

Realist, I don't go in there so I don't know, but how were the DEnders 'taking the pi$$' at the QPR game?

He is referring to a banner coming out after 20 minutes of the QPR game, which was dealt with by the stewards (but not confiscated) and which reappeared after QPR scored. This would appear to be a more probable reason behind Saturdays events.

The stewards were on the stairs to stop people overcrowding.

At times in the top corner of the DE there have been more folk in rows than there are seats which causes problems, once it was full they stood up there to stop further people packing in.

Although people standing in the aisles at the top of S01/02 sections on matchdays can sometimes happen, the stewards were not there IMO because of this but, as 'arbitro' has said, as a direct retaliation against protesters. The stewards in the aisles were causing a considerable blockage themselves Tom so please, do not buy into the 'they were only there to ensure safety' line... let's see how many stewards are deployed in the aisles for the united/liverpool games shall we??

[stuwilky]

The manner in which the searches were carried out I am waiting for confirmation. It's something to do with technique.

Simon,

As someone with a "public profile" its probably worth having the fact before making a sweeping statement.

AS for the private room for a search - I think (again Im happy to stand corrected) - that only applies to Police Searches rather than a steward search to which you have to agree.

[Hasta]

Whilst the club are within their rights to search, they are only doing it because they are in a PR battle with the fans. Kean and Jerome Andersson can criticise us on TV but any criticism of them or the club is being halted. Talk of safety and fan enjoyment of the game as being the reason is just a smokescreen.

[monkeynuts]

I took my 6yr old to this game and choose the DE for the atmosphere. It was his VERY first game at rovers and tbh I was a chuffed Dad.

His recollection of the game is this:

"Daddy was searched going into the ground" his words not mine, as his whole experience of what should be a day to remember is that "There where lots of police Mummy and they where looking for guns like on television".

Says it all really when are attendances are falling and we want to get new supporters they treat us like dogs, thugs and hooligans.

Well done to a ONCE PROUD CLUB - we used to be known as a "family orientated" club.

[Roost]

Treated like dogs, thugs and hooligans?

Really? You got searched, that's all.

Perhaps the manner of some of the searches were unexpected, but some of the over reaction on here is weird.

[BuckyRover]

Have some of you guys never been out of the house before?

You get searched all the time these days. Go to a club and they rifle through all of your personal belongings and frisk you.

The club may be worried about violence breaking out in the Darwen end due to the close proximity to the away fans and the general sentiment at the club. I don't think that's too unlikely to be honest.

I really don't believe it's a vendetta. Otherwise it would be prevalent in all of the stands.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Don`t understand exactly what people are objecting to being searched for or the extra security .Once again a molehill being turned into a mountain.All this is achieving is fans falling out when we should be sticking together. "Right of admission reserved" is all that applies here its obvious that whatever complaint or objection are raised that will basically be the "go too" answer.Lol at the person saying earlier that he`ll insist on a private search and credential checks etc.Sorry pal but all they`ll say is do one.This is exactly all that the protests etc. have achieved, Us versus Them.

We're objecting because it is ludicrous to search fans for protest banners, because we don't like being treated like hooligans, because its discriminatory to only search one stand, because there were more stewards and more searches at the home entrance than the away entrance, because it made some fans miss the start of the match, and because at least a few searches were carried out on children (as witnessed by numerous fans). If this is causing fans to fall out with each other then I can only question why on earth fans like you are defending this demented policy.

You seem to be mistaking who has the power here. If the club say "do one", then people will do one. Will the club have won in that case? No will they heck, they'll have less fans, less money and support, and so Rovers will be less successful. Its up to the club to backtrack on this, apologise, and hope the fans are in a forgiving mood. It is not up to the fans, as paying customers, to shut up and accept this treatment. Rovers need us, but many fans are starting to come to the conclusion that they don't need Rovers.

[ABBEY]

Have some of you guys never been out of the house before?

You get searched all the time these days. Go to a club and they rifle through all of your personal belongings and frisk you.

The club may be worried about violence breaking out in the Darwen end due to the close proximity to the away fans and the general sentiment at the club. I don't think that's too unlikely to be honest.

I really don't believe it's a vendetta. Otherwise it would be prevalent in all of the stands.

Nice of mrs d to break her silence

[monkeynuts]

Treated like dogs, thugs and hooligans?

Really? You got searched, that's all.

Perhaps the manner of some of the searches were unexpected, but some of the over reaction on here is weird.

Whilst I have zero objection to being searched at all and by buying a ticket you consent to being searched by stewards, it is the simple fact of the whole way it was handled and the fact it was ONLY the DE that it was "trialled" on. If my 6yr old can come out with a comment like that it only shows he felt intimidated. There whole lining up in a single file... having near 4 stewards and 2/3 police "eyeing" you up before you even got to the turnstile shows just how the club want its younger fans to feel. Was like a throw back to the 80's

As for searching children YES it did happen I saw it with the family about 3 or 4 in front of me. I would say there where probably 50 or 60 people lining up as I went in and EVERYONE was searched who allowed it (Not a "small amount" as the club state) - I told my son to go and stand by the turnstile as there was NO way he was going to be subjected to that, had he not I would expect them to have checked his pockets etc.