Barnsley FC recognise that at the final home game of the season fans wish to express their support for the team and backroom staff. To this end would fans please remain behind the barriers for 5 minutes while groundstaff rope off an area of the pitch( a la cricket matches) in front of the dugouts.</p> The team and backroom staff will then come back into the roped off area and fans can duly express their support. The security staff and police have been told of the arrangements and will be on hand should there be a need.</p> We ask all fans to co-operate with the club in this matter</p>
I think that a rethink on this subject is required by the club. Before the recent ban on going on to the pitch it was almost a tradition that at the end of the last game the supporters went on the pitch. I cannot recall any incident that ever occured that would warrent the change of the tradition. I know that the ban is probably as a result of a league directive but it flies in the face of what a significant number of fans want. Despite the fact that I have to admit that I have gone on the pitch, after the Bradford match in the promotion season was the last time, I have no desire to do so now. However, it evident that there is a significant desire from the paying supporters to make the last game special by being able to go on to the pitch and celebrate with the players. They have tried for the last few years the approach of keeping everyone off the pitch with the promise off the players coming back. It must be obvious to all that this has not and is not likely to work. As a response the players going off and not returning to acknowledge the fans leaves the supporters with the view that the club simply does not care or at best is simply ignoring the feelings of supporters. I feel a change is well overdue and the proposal above is a good as suggestion as any. I commend it to the club and wouldnt it be lovely if they took some notice, not that I have much faith that they will. Excellent post IMHO
Alternatively... Anyone going onto the pitch this Saturday is a lovely person and will be shot. See? That's the problem with democracy: People won't believe threats like that.
Can't see the difference If they won't stay behind the wall for 5 minutes till the players come onto an unroped pitch, what makes you think they'll stay 5 minutes behind a wall for a roped off pitch? Can't see the fascination with grass myself but we have quite a few brain-dead fans who'll risk a fine and a ban just to feel the grass under their leather.
you're crediting too many people with brain cells. Now, if they positively encouraged the pitch invasion and asked the police and stewards to enter the stands to try and usher them onto the pitch, then maybe they'll stay off! In all honesty this is a problem the club and police can solve easily - it is an arrestable offense to go on the pitch - just bloody arrest the ones they can catch and lock them up for the rest of the day and it won't happen next year! Whilst punishment would most certainly not fit the crime, unfortunately a large proportion at BFC will not learn respect in their lifetime and will only learn by such drastic measures.