Anyone coming to Headingley for the Test

Read and either weep or laugh at how absurd this is...


Heightened security measures will be in place for the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley this week.

The venue has received criticism in recent years due to drunken elements posing a significant problem.

When England played South Africa last year, 81 people were ejected from the ground in three days, and organisers have improved security accordingly.

Concerns were raised this week about crowd conduct during the third Test at Edgbaston, which ended on Monday.

Headingley has earned itself a reputation for rowdiness, particularly the ground's West Stand, and organisers at Yorkshire are keen to curb any anti-social behaviour.

Beer stalls are set to open at 1045 BST and shut for an hour in the afternoon, with organisers maintaining the discretion to extend this closure period.

There is never anything untoward. It is always good, light-hearted stuff... They add a lot to the whole experience of the Ashes

Ricky Ponting
There will be an alcohol-free, family stand, a number of specially-assigned "spotters" will be employed at beer stalls around the ground to identify drunken spectators and prevent them purchasing further alcohol and free water will be readily available at stalls.

Stewarding levels have been raised by 20% with more than 300 set to be deployed when the Test begins on Friday.

"We've worked hard with police and advisory groups to see what we're faced with and cut down on crowd problems," a Yorkshire spokesman told BBC Sport.

"We've received criticism in the past so you look at what you've done and cut your cloth accordingly.

"It's about fans enjoying themselves but respecting other fans and respecting the game of cricket."

England fans were heavily criticised for their conduct during the rain-affected third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, which ended in a draw, preserving England's 1-0 series lead.

Much of the criticism was levelled at fans who booed Australia captain Ricky Ponting as he walked out to bat, something that has occurred at other grounds throughout the series.

606: DEBATE
IMO the Barmy Army provide a great atmosphere for supporting the England boys

GoonerCricLover
The Barmy Army, England's notoriously vocal supporter's group, have been highlighted in particular for their suggested role.

However, Ponting has sought to diffuse the issue, refuting that there is any genuine malice intended by the crowd's booing.

"There is never anything untoward," wrote Ponting in his Daily Telegraph column. "It is always good, light-hearted stuff, and when England have a sniff of winning the volume goes up tenfold.

"They add a lot to the whole experience of the Ashes.

"Whenever I walk out of the changing rooms I'm half-expecting it. I'm thinking: 'Right, let's get it out of the way, get the booing done, and then I'll start building my innings."

The Barmy Army have insisted its members were not behind the jeering of Ponting.

"We weren't responsible for the booing," said Katy Cooke, general manager of the group. "From what I can gather it was pretty tongue-in-cheek.

"He's one of the best, if not the best, batsmen in the world and if we can get under his skin and stop him concentrating 100% on his batting, then we're doing a service to the England team."

 

I was. I had a ticket through work but gave it up for holiday commitments. My holiday changed and i have been back for over a week but the ticket was snapped up by somebody else. Gutted.

 

Me and mi fatha are there the 4th day.

I work in Leeds and quite a few of the lads in the office have snapped up 5th day tickets after seeing the weather forcast for the first day.

 

Hmmm

Galaxy and Radio Aire are running competitions for tickets this week, maybe try your luck!

Shame mate.

 

whats absurd about it?

Theyre offering free water to anyone that wants it. Sensible.
Theyre not going to sell beer to people who are already drunk. Sensible.
Theyre having an alcohol free family stand. Sensible.
Theyre closing the bars for an hour in the afternoon Ok a bit odd but they do it at football.

 

Going Monday. nt

 

Looking forward to Sunday when I got a ticket

 

RE: Hmmm

I was really annoyed at myself for getting the dates so wrong. Free ticket through work, free corportate day out, 4th day and i miss out through my inability to write things down properly. Fecking old age!!
Where is the icon with the steam coming out of the ears!

 

going sunday

 

It's the overall idea

I've been to a few Test matches and the stewards and 'Green Team' are quite frankly just killjoys. I don't get drunk at cricket myself, but I have never EVER seen anything out of order at any cricket match.

People making 'beer snakes' with plastic cups are causing no trouble at all, yet about 20 stewards/Green Team members and sometimes 'senior' security staff get involved it's just a massive overreaction.

Fair enough giving free water that's good, and I don't care if they shut the bars, but it's just a huge overreaction.

Rowdy? Yes people get behind England and that's about it.

 

Going Friday & Saturday

Friday - in VIP and Sponsors Area with players WAGS (pity Pieterson's not playing, wouldn't have minded spending an hour or two wi Mrs.KP)

Saturday - lowering the tone and increasing the volume, Western Terrace.

Look out for me on TV on Friday. I'll be wearing an Allen Stanford mask and bouncing Mrs.Prior on my knee.

 

Hahahaha

 

Going Sunday...

whats the best way of getting to the ground from Leeds City Centre? Been trying some research out but seems to be taxi, or service bus which no matter which one, leaves a 10/15 min walk.</p>

Also, with it being Sunday service, i think they're about an hour apart are the buses.... oh, and trains also one an hour.</p>

Any suggestions?
</p>

 

How are you getting to Leeds?

We're meeting someone at Leeds station at 10.05 mate and will go up by bus.

The buses stop 3-4 minutes from the ground, not 15, and there will be plenty.

 

you can catch burley park train only takes 4mins then walk up hill to ground

 

Just jump on the train to Headingley...

...from Leeds City Station. 5 minutes and there's loads on apparently.

 

loads on buses too dyson

 

Leeds Bus Station for 10am mate...

coming on the 110 from Wakefield.

 

Don't

It's miles away.

If you're going to get the train go to Burley Park but trains will only be hourly there on Sunday I imagine.

 

Oh okay...

Erm... can't you get train or is it booked?

Not sure which buses start at bus station... possibly 96 and 28 I think - they definitely go to Headingley - get off at the Oak/Skyrack and you're 2 mins away.

If you get to centre of town, 1, 95 (if running), 96, 96A, 97, 28 all go there.