Well not in the Memorial ground ! ( at least not without a ticket to get into the ground )..... I'll explain soon. I wanted to title this story 'A sh1tty day ' - for reasons that will become obvious For those of you not interested in the tales of woe - here's a bit about the game --- it wasn't too bad a performance ( until the last 8 minutes ). We battled quite well - but were a little lucky to be level at half time. In the 2nd half we actually played better - even if the lead was a little flattering - but in the last few minutes our defending was awful - and both teams got what each deserved ! --- and for the second time in the day, I was left feeling sh1t. The day started with a feeling of being lucky - well, certainly a lot more luckier than the chap who had not seen the huge pile of dog mess on the path near the Ground's coach pick up point. There was a 'forensic footprint' in the middle of the turd which would have probably been welcomed with much profanity. As the group of other insane GFC fans gathered, the numbers swelled to over 30. It was around 9.30 and there were only 2 other non fans in the vicinity. These people I shall call Mr & Mrs Billy Bunter ! ( they definitely are not suffering from anorexia. ) Mr & Mrs Bunter decided to barge their way through the group of fans - instead of stepping around us. I don't think they appreciated my sentiments as I suggested that they should ask for a police escort for their 'wide' load. By now the fans were getting worried - because the coach had not arrived. Had we all got the wrong time ? No ! very shortly I got a phone call from Peter Lloyd . He apologised for the no show of the coach - but assured me that it would arrive within 15 minutes. When the coach appeared, it was a 'replacement' double decker - the original had developed a problem with a door. It was lucky that we now had a larger vehicle - because there were 7 extra fans which the Club had not included on the passenger list ! There would not have been room for these fans on the original 'single decker.' There was also a fan whose appearance confused Peter Lloyd - because the Club had told him that the fan had telephoned to cancel his reservation ! ( and Peter Lloyd didn't think that he now had a matchday ticket as requested by the fan ) The journey to Bristol was good and uneventful. When we got to the ground a group of us walked towards a turnstile nearest to the AWAY stand. The turnstile was signed ' AWAY FANS' - but as we got near a steward said the turnstile wasn't being used - we had to use the terrace turnstile -- No problem - off we trudge to said turnstiles. As usual we were 'searched' before entering the ground. There were no signs on the turnstiles to indicate 'cash' or 'tickets'...... You can guess that I chose the wrong one. The turnstile operative said that his turnstile was 'cash only.' No problem - I duly joined the 'ticket' queue. The 'cash' operative then came out of his booth - to remonstrate with stewards who had allowed me to try to use his 'cash only' turnstile. He did go on to tell the stewards that he could accept tickets - but only if he felt like it --- what, be helpful ? ............ Anyway - no matter, and so we entered the ground -- and that's when the real nonsense took place ! Between the terrace turnstiles and the 'away' section of the stand behind the goal was a distance of around 50 yards. Within this space I was required by no fewer than 6 stewards to produce my matchday ticket. Having been messed about outside the ground, I somehow still retained my decorum - and showed my ticket to the first 5 stewards without fuss- although I was beginning to wonder why ! -- but when I was asked for the 6th time - and I still hadn't reached the seats, I had a sudden and complete loss of a sense of humour. The 6th steward was literally a couple of feet from steward No.5 - and the demand by steward No.5 to see my ticket must have been evident to No.6. I asked steward No.6 "WHY ? You must have seen me show my ticket to your colleague only a few feet away. Why have I had to show my ticket to 5 other stewards INSIDE the ground - especially as I can't get into the ground without a ticket ? Steward No.6 explained " Don't you realise that we live in times of heightened awareness of terrorism. Terrorists are everywhere - that's why we need to see your ticket" I pointed out " And do you think that a terrorist is going to be deterred from bombing this place because he wouldn't buy a matchday ticket - and just how will the terrorist showing his ticket stop him from planting his bomb ? I also asked " Are you going to expect me to show my ticket every time I go to the loo or the refreshment bar ? His reply " Yes."............ ......... so - by now I was being treated like sh1t - and 90 minutes later, I ended the day feeling like sh1t !
Sadly, all of the Gills fans, including all the very elderly and disabled Gillingham terrorists. Unfortunately we get rubbish treatment from many different grounds - AND at our own place - it's a 'jobsworth' syndrome - give a person a hi viz vest and they go on a power trip and lose their common sense - good luck for the rest of the season
Alwaysright very sorry about the treatment you received at the ground yesterday. I cannot believe that they thought you might be terrorists, masochists maybe for being like us and watching league 1 football on what turned out to be a foul day, at least we had a result to cheer us up. I hope this has not put you off coming to the Mem in the future to support your team or any other ground for that matter best of luck for the rest of the season apart from when we play the return fixture of course
Oldtimer I have been to both Bristol grounds several times before. I will come again next season ( IF we remain in L1 --- I don't think your lot are ready for promotion ). I have been to many grounds - as I see virtually ALL the league games. I have given many tales of woe - all true and witnessed by my fellow terrorrists. What we got at BR was about par for the course - and we've had much worse. I like to share my exploits with other fans who remain home - making their suicide belt ( to fit our manager ). next time I'll bring my passport
Captain Jack My fading memory softens the pain of my away day miseries ( including the football ). I'm not sure if any one misery is actually worse than another - and all usually involve a lack of common sense by stewards - who cannot understand that if they try to be helpful to fans, it would make their job a whole lot easier - as well as not making fans feel that they are being treated like idiots. Over my time in Not606 I have given MANY write - ups of my away day experiences. Some of them are quite funny ( even if I say so ). Each calamity has been slightly different from the last one. They are recorded in my posting record - but unless you are particularly mad I wouldn't bother researching. I say 'par for the course' because it's rare that there aren't several nonsenses that have to be endued at virtually every ground I visit.
alwaysright, we have both been raising the issue of the yellow jacket brigade for many years, now i know a lot of Gills fans will not want to care about our cousins up the road, but if you want to know how the third reich have taken over our game then this is certainly worth a read... http://www.castrust.org/2016/10/610409/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
brb To be fair to the majority of stewards - they are reasonable people -- even if they are not of any real value in situations that need attention. I said that they could be more helpful - and that would make their job easier. You and I have seen enough inaction or the wrong sort of action taken by stewards - inflaming the fans etc ( Millwall last day of last season - and many more). It beggars belief that the hi viz ( less ) morons at Charlton didn't think that their dramatic overreaction and totally unlawful techniques wouldn't be filmed . If I was the fan who was man handled for merely waving a flag whilst walking away from the ground, I would be getting in touch with my solicitor. Another reason why the actions of the 'stewards' was unlawful is that public order incidents outside the ground is the remit of the Police - not Club stewards --- and the reason given by CAFC for the 'intervention' by the 'stewards' does not fulfill any lawful criteria or authority for their actions
Got to be honest mate if i saw that happening to a Gills supporter I would be more than likely to kick off, sod standing by and watching, therefore surely the stewards are causing some type of civil unrest too?
Here we go, this was on our official club site yesterday... Bristol Rovers fans, in particular, have been advised to arrive early to future home games due to an increased level of vigilance at the Memorial Stadium. In light of National Counter Terrorism advice and the current terrorist threat, an increased number of bag searches will now take place. Safety officer Dave Parker issued the following statement: “We have been asked several times if, due to the heightened terrorism threat if we will allow bags etc. to be brought into the Memorial Stadium at future matches particularly by away fans. We have been in contact with the National Counter Terrorism Security Officers and have listened to their advice. We do not intend to allow terrorism, or fear of terrorism, to impact unnecessarily on our match day operations at the Memorial Stadium. Therefore we will continue to allow bags and rucksacks etc. to be brought into the Stadium. However, the Safety Stewards will increase their level of vigilance at the Stadium to ensure public safety and confidence. Therefore, we will undertake an increased number of bag searches etc. With that in mind, I would advise all fans to arrive at the Stadium earlier than usual and to be prepared to accept that Safety Stewards may ask to look into any bags or rucksacks and also ask spectators to open bulky jackets. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind fans that running on to the pitch is illegal and those doing so will be detained by my stewards and handed over to the police to be prosecuted. I am a very passionate supporter and understand how emotions can run high but please do not be tempted." http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news...turdays-game-3386169.aspx#piQxtFdKZ7QEmi7b.99
