by Andy M »
19 Oct 2006 08:45
Star, indeed and yet again I say that it never ceases to amaze me that potentially the most powerful group of consumers in the country are also the most apathetic. Just think what could be collectively achieved if fans were prepared to do just a little more than bitch and moan on websites such as this one.
I still maintain though that your safety officer is taking the easy way out of this problem; even if you take accounts on here with a pinch of salt there is clearly an issue that the club should be all to willing to address.
As a West Ham supporter, I'd be pleased to put something in writing to you as to how your stewards took huge delight in banning entry to our fans because they were wearing the wrong kind of baseball cap or they got a whiff of booze on peoples breathe.
The stewards have more power than the police and it is frightening how many are prepared to abuse the authority they have over us and matters are getting worse across the country. I'd urge you, who I think have a good relationship with your club, to challenge Reading, get them to stop making excuses and sort this problem out before it explodes in your faces.
The only success story I'm aware of is at Leicester who had similar issues to you; one afternoon matters came to a head and thereafter the club proactively called a meeting to which all concerned where invited, fans, police, safety people and club officials. As a direct result of this meeting the stewards backed off and the fans responded to the lead the club took and now all can enjoy their "match day experience". I'm fairly certain that the Foxes Trust had some involvement in the meeting.
