Pitch invasion - a perspective

Given the existing law it is an offense for fans to invade the pitch. I think everyone sees the need for this rule. Those old enough to have witnessed the pitch invasions of the eighties and the violence that ensued can fully understand the rationale behind the ban. It was this situation that led to cages at football grounds and led in part to a tragedy at Leppings Lane.

At times of the season when emotions are high you simply cannot have fans taking to the pitch. They pose a threat to the players, they can inflame possibly a dangerous crowd situation, can be provocative to the opposition fans, and at best cause a disruption to the game.


Given that our club can also be fined, docked points, banned from home matches etc common sense dictates that the club has to tow the line and do whatever it can to stop fans coming on to the pitch. Set in this climate any sensible fan has got no alternative to be behind the club and be opposed to the fans taking to the pitch at all times. This is definitely my point of view.

Having stated this point of view I have to admit I find this a tremendous shame. The fans taking to the pitch on the last game of the season, even in the defiance of the law, is part of the clubs tradition. It is a time of the year when the necessary restraint during the rest of the year ought to be relaxed as a concession to the fans. Given that common sense does not prevail on a large minority of the fans who take to the field, especially the kids, it is evident that it will happen year after year unless the club take more positive action to prevent it, which they have clearly shown that they are not prepared to do. I suggested to my son that the presence of police with police dogs would be a deterrent - he quickly explained the error of such an argument. Just imagine the situation of a police dog bringing down a little kid whose enthusiasm gets the better of him - it does not bear thinking about. Although it is wrong go go on the pitch preventative measures are bound to be totally out of proportion to the whole occasion.

So what is the answer - well yesterday partially revealed an answer. The stewards made a stand on the half way line and contained the invaders into one half of the pitch. Their efforts were somewhat undermined by the players themselves giving some of their kit to the invaders thereby giving them encouragement to come on the pitch. Some however, Brian Howard for example, threw his boots into the crowd on the terraces. It is evident however that the pitch invaders can be controlled and contained.

I recall seeing on the television a scene from a Scottish club that got promotion - not sure which, - might have been Livingstone, but what happened was the stewards secured an area immediately around the directors box in the middle of the stand. The crowd had invaded the pitch but were controlled by the cordon and the players freely moved around within the controlled area. The police lined the away end to prevent then getting anywhere near to the away fans. The situation seemed to work very well, even though undoubtedly against the rules.

Now I know there will be many that will come on and raise many objections to this course of action and it may never happen but given the will to create a solution then it could be done and would be an improvement over the present debacle that has nplace each and every season. What it needs is some acceptance by the club that rightly or wrongly that an end of season pitch invasion is likely to always happen. One way or other they must take a more positive role - either put some strong arm tactics in place to enforce the law, or put more effort in to control the situation in a way that will keep traditions going without causing too serious consequences. No doubt the FA and the police would have to be involved and agree, which they probably wont. However in this over politically correct, over regulated world I find it somewhat a bit of a shame.

I sit back and await the criticism of you all

 

This 'tradition'

started when?

 

RE: This 'tradition'

how many years have you been there when it did not happen? I cannot think of one but I've only been going around 15 years - am I wrong in this regard?

 

Another perspective

Thousands of loyal supporters deprived of applauding the players and getting involved in celebrations - because a couple of hundred knobheads insist on grabbing centre stage for their own unauthorised celebrations, despite the club they apparently support pleading with them not to do it.</p>

 

There isn't much that anyone can do to stop people getting on the pitch at the end of the season without having double the amount of stewards and forming a human wall but even then people will still find a way of getting through and to be honest the club isn't going to pay another 100 stewards for 4 hours when they are only needed for 20 minutes at the end of the match and no one is just going to work for the 20 minutes they are needed. Yesterday worked well for me with the containing of people by the ponte end and for a short while the pitch was completly clear until the players walked through the line. The stewards get alot of stick on here but i think they are doing a diffcult job at times and have to deal with abuse just for doing their job or at least trying to do it. I saw three men in their 30's threatening a young steward that if he tried to stop them getting on the pitch at the end they were going "kick your fecking ginger head in, you little lovely person" now these men didn't appear to be drunk so to me just appeared to be pricks. So is it any wonder that they don't stop everyone would you put yourself at risk for £6 an hour? I think he best way to deal with the situation is once they are on the pitch contain them and provide a safe area for the team to come out into and celebrate with the fans.

 

RE: Another perspective

Cannot disagree with you! Given the current state of affairs. Still think it is sad though!

 

I agree, organised containment has to be preferable to what happens at the moment. Full containment like you said is expensive, and not likely to happen.

 

It won't go away or stop

The club need to think of a way of managing it properly, so it's orderly. Just banning it out right, and then standing around and watching the mayhem that follows when people ignore things, is daft.</p>

Deal with violent idiots harshly, but let's think of a way where the kids and well behaved fans who are just out for a fun day out get to go on the pitch andcongratulatethe players at the end of the season.</p>

 

Players to appear in West Stand press box

Like they always used to.

 

Might not be an option if they pull the stand down but

I agree it would make sense

 

Didn't we have Police Horses on the pitch once?

That seemed to have an effect.

 

RE: This 'tradition'

I remember in '68 when we were promoted from the old 4th Division we gathered on the pitch in front of the Directors Box after the game against Newport County.

For some strange reason when we left the ground we went up to the Town Hall presumably in the expectation that there'd be a Civic Reception up there. As if!!

 

RE: This 'tradition'

Been going on for as long as I can remember. Every last home game and particularly if we'd achieved 'owt. The promotions from the 4th and 3rd divisions late 70's early 80's had fans six deep on the touchlines waiting for the whistle. I don't remember any complaints on the BBS back then!!

 

RE: It won't go away or stop

It is already banned.

All they need is a line of stewards and police along the front of the Ponty. Banning orders for them that go on the pitch.

 

what about a minefield around the track?

or snipers in the stands!

only joking.

A cats cradle system like what they have at wembley would be perfect - dunno how much it would cost to install at oakwell though?

 

RE: what about a minefield around the track?

Not so sure wooden stands and devices to prevent you getting on to the pitch go hand in hand.

 

RE: what about a minefield around the track?

nah but the cats cradle can be disengaged and it drops to the floor on the flick of a switch. Remember getting it demonstrated when i looked around the old wembley as a young un. Its just a metal bar with string in to make it very hard to get onto the pitch.

 

Big f**k off alsations

Rabid ones if possible - that'll stop the tw@ts

 

turn on the pitch sprinkler system...

and arrest the wet ones as they leave the stadium.