SYP - your experiences

I've never been bothered by SYP or any other police force at games I've attended over nearly 30 years. I've once or twice been pushed by an officer, told to "keep walking" when I've been rubbernecking at others getting into bother with the police, usually around the train crossing in town.

Orgreave and Hillsborough, both incidents are a disgrace to SYP, and to the police in general. But I'm not sure it makes every copper culpable, so I will continue to see the police as human beings trying their best to police things. I would like to see those culpable for the incidents mentioned, brought to criminal justice. That seems the correct thing to do. I've no opinion on the scandal in Rotherham as it's not something I've taken much notice of. Whereas I was a young lad when the 96 perished at Hillsborough, and visited the stadium a year or so later as a Barnsley (away) fan. So it's relative. As is Orgreave, as many of my family were affected by the systematic destruction of the mining industry. But no, I don't pre-judge coppers I come across based on a few incidents over 30 years.

I can't speak for us all, but I honestly don't feel I'm affected by SYP. I just don't end up in situations requiring a police presence. Not by design, it's just how it is. My only experience of them is knowing it's their decision to move certain kick off times to 12.30pm which irks me.

Not personally, no.

When attending Hillsborough, Bramall Lane and Elland Road I've noticed a bigger police presence as I've entered the grounds. And that's that.

I've been to many games there over nearly 30 years. 1990/1991 was the first time I think, we won on penalties, I was a young lad and remember very little about it. But as I matured (honest, I have) I've realised that stand should have been pulled down in the immediate aftermath of the tragic events of that afternoon in 1989. It's still the same, just with seats in. Which obviously makes it safer, but if you've ever been on their concourses you'll know where I'm coming from regards it being unsafe, to this very day. If ever it needed evacuating, that'd be another disaster. We take 4,000 or so, I'm not sure how much it holds but you are literally being crushed, just by trying to get to the concourse for a toilet break, refreshments etc. You can't help but think of 1989 when you're being pressed against a wall by the crowd or floating along the concourse, no control over the direction you're moving. Scary stuff.




Not sure any of that is helpful but thought I'd try and answer anyway.

 

It surprises me that the Leppings Lane stand hasn't been demolished and completely rebuilt. Not only would it be the safest thing to do, but the most respectful and restorative in the circumstances. It's architecture is completely flawed for modern day crowds. Even the upper tier seating with it's narrow concourse is dangerous. I remember being in a surge towards a stairway when trying to leave there on one occasion.

 

Think he maybe on abart the death of a Swansea fan at Millmoor May 2000, three officers were found guilty of a failure of duty.

 

Just let them investigate the role of freemasonry in the collusion between officers and forces. Things which have been shown to be institutional with the police have something to do with the nature of the institutions which are connected to them. I don't believe this sort of 'pigeons plotting in secrecy,' to quote Simon and Garfunkel, only happens in SYP.

 

Not that old.

 

4). They acted like a bunch of dickheads at Sheff United the other season when we beat them 1-0. Saw one copper hit a woman who wasn't threatening with a truncheon and some of his mates were pushing Barnsley fans over who were just trying to get past.

Last week was a different kettle of fish. Thought they were organised and apart from two, spoke to football fans correctly. I wasn't allowed in the station because I 'looked' like a football fan and when we were allowed in, an arrogant **** stood in the doorway and then told people off when he got pushed out of the way.

Overall, like every police force, some proper gents working for them as well as some proper ****s.

 

I've been to many games there over nearly 30 years. 1990/1991 was the first time I think, we won on penalties, I was a young lad and remember very little about it. But as I matured (honest, I have) I've realised that stand should have been pulled down in the immediate aftermath of the tragic events of that afternoon in 1989. It's still the same, just with seats in. Which obviously makes it safer, but if you've ever been on their concourses you'll know where I'm coming from regards it being unsafe, to this very day. If ever it needed evacuating, that'd be another disaster. We take 4,000 or so, I'm not sure how much it holds but you are literally being crushed, just by trying to get to the concourse for a toilet break, refreshments etc. You can't help but think of 1989 when you're being pressed against a wall by the crowd or floating along the concourse, no control over the direction you're moving. Scary stuff.

Absolutely spot on mate.

 

Absolutely spot on mate .
The establishment is rife with the scourge of freemasonry and other secretive organisations pulling strings and calling favours to help each other.
They introduce each other because of the sole reason that ,they are in ,they know someone (relations etc ) or have potential to be in a position to help each other .

This practice needs outlawing ,its an affront to democracy and freedom.

Harsh penalties are needed if people are suspected of being in these institutions ie removing from these positions and and large fines and even in some cases custodial sentences .

It's the only way this will stop imo

 

70's or 80's, can't remember precisely. End of match they opened the gates, all the away fans had to go down a narrow entry at the side of the ground. However SYP's finest decided to block off the end with horses without stopping the rest coming out of the ground causing an enormous crush. People were screaming for them to relieve the crushing, just sat there on their horses laughing. Very fortunate no one got seriously injured (I assume).

 

Whitey, My experiences too, a thoughtful and balanced response to the current day situation I think. Obviously much has changed in the intervening 27 years but your experiences mirror my own.

 

Met one at a party. Within 21 days she was preggers. She moved in. We had a son. Turns out she liked to share her 'skills' on C shift. We got divorced.

That the sort of stuff youre after?

 

I won't pretend **** doesn't happen, but in nearly 30 years I've witnessed very little and I must have been to 30, 40 games a year. I was on a coach at the Brum playoff game in 2000. It got bricked. It was a window a couple of seats behind me, I ended up with glass over my lap. But that wasn't a police thing. I cannot honestly recall a time where they've affected me adversely. And I'm not saying that as someone who goes out of their way to avoid them. At Bramall Lane last weekend, Andy had parked on a street just off Bramall Lane. Hundreds of United fans were walking up it as we turned to go down it. The coppers were there on the corner, loads of em. As we turned onto the street I did wonder if they might turn us away or whatever. But no. Nothing. And we walked on, with dem blavdes walking past us. No bother.

I'm not saying the police aren't this or that. I can only speak for myself and my experiences. And I've encountered **** all. In 30 years nearly. And as anybody who knows me knows, I'm hardly a shrinking violet.

Stewards? I could be here all week. Different story....

 

To be fair, the handcuffs were a giveaway. And his truncheon was massive.

 

After one match at Oakwell, about 7 years or so ago I think, I remember one child - about 14 or 15- getting a right pasting from four coppers and maced and/ or pepper sprayed for next to nothing - knocking one of their hats of in high jinks. He should have got a size 12 up his arse and no more.

I also was present when plod killed a Swansea fan with their horses. I was later tracked down by two detectives wanting to know why a Barnsley fan was at a Rotherham Swansea match (if not to cause trouble was the underlying sentiment). When they realised I'd not been involved in the bother - (I'd had a distinctive baseball cap on so they remembered me from the videos they had )- and all I'd been trying to do was dodge bricks thrown by Rotherham fans and the charge of the light brigade - they then seemed to develop a deafness when my version of events differed from their view.

 

It was deffo a her. Mi super ***** is strong but not strong enuff to get PC Barry up the duff!

 

Hillsborough

Suprised nobody has mentioned the 1979-80 season when we won 2-0 under Clarke at Hillsborough. We were so packed into the stand I couldn't even have a *** as I could not move my arms. Never forgot that & always went in the upper tier after that. Was always an accident waiting to happen IMO.