A stain on our club!

[LincsRover]

I still can’t get why we call this hooliganism when outside of football, it’s assault, abh or gbh with proper custodial sentences. Sticking it into hooliganism seems to be something that’s tolerated and to accept its normal behaviour. It isn’t and should carry the same weight. In fact given ghst it’s pre meditated it should have a much sterner form of punishment. Nothing will change unless these sub humans realise there are sever consequences to their actions.

I agree DVR. According to the people I spoke to at the club the main protagonist is already banned and probably wasn’t actually at the match - must have been hanging around afterwards to assault anyone id’d as Exeter fans! It’s not football hooliganism, it’s GBH committed by cowardly thugs who run away if they’re not backed up by 10 or 12 others. As was said earlier, they probably won’t be chasing Cardiff or Rotherham fans when they come to town.

[drfchound]

An update, and good news, the head of security has contacted me and I’m pleased to say the club are taking this very seriously. The people involved will be banned and dealt with by the club appropriately and quickly.

The disappointment is that South Yorkshire police haven’t been in touch with the club about this and we were only aware due to this forum (they do look at it) and the contact I made with the club this morning. They have contacted SYP to liaise & share all the info with them (I was able to provide some details but SYP have more names/video/witnesses/details of victims & their injuries etc) so I hope SYP do their job and deal with it appropriately, quickly and harshly.

Unfortunately DRFC can only give out banning orders etc.. but the police can obviously go further. I hope they get what they deserve.

Having spoken to people within the club I’m very much encouraged that we will do the right thing concerning both the perpetrators and the victims - we will be contacting Exeter city to ask about the victims and apologise on the clubs behalf. I would love it if this made a difference but I’m pessimistic in that every club has its scumbags, and we have our share. The only way to try to change things is by letting the club, police or even this forum know whenever you see something like I had the misfortune to be a part of on Saturday. Let’s kick the b*st*rds out of our club!!   

Regarding the apology to the injured Exeter supporters.
I’ve not seen any of the incident footage.
Were they innocent lads in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Or were they in a pre arranged spot waiting for a bit of fisticuffs?
If they were up for it then they are not victims.
I’ve previously mentioned that the lad that I had seen near car park 3 had reacted to a phone message and was clearly up for the scrap.

Even if they were in a pre arranged fight situation, ten on to two is a lot cowardly and not very fair.

[GazLaz]

I understand the trouble in the south stand was due to someone leaving their seat and others then went and sat in them.
This is happening all the time in the south stand, basically we has a family cannot go down to the concourse together, thus I have spoken to Gavin about this on a couple of occasions. (Loss of revenue at half time and also before game because we go to the seats about 45-60mins before kick off)
The only way to resolve is to go back to reserved seating as per the other stands!

I know many will immediately come on here saying no way, saying south stand will lose atmosphere, but does reserved seating in the Anfield kop or Old Traffords  Stretford end have no atmosphere?

Unreserved seating is exactly that. On your feel, lose your seat. It is the nature of the beast.


I’ve said for a year or so now that the SS should go back to reserved seating. Increased revenue, the regulars can sit where they want/singers can still sit together, increased capacity for increased atmosphere etc etc

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I understand the trouble in the south stand was due to someone leaving their seat and others then went and sat in them.
This is happening all the time in the south stand, basically we has a family cannot go down to the concourse together, thus I have spoken to Gavin about this on a couple of occasions. (Loss of revenue at half time and also before game because we go to the seats about 45-60mins before kick off)
The only way to resolve is to go back to reserved seating as per the other stands!

I know many will immediately come on here saying no way, saying south stand will lose atmosphere, but does reserved seating in the Anfield kop or Old Traffords  Stretford end have no atmosphere?

Unreserved seating is exactly that. On your feel, lose your seat. It is the nature of the beast.


I’ve said for a year or so now that the SS should go back to reserved seating. Increased revenue, the regulars can sit where they want/singers can still sit together, increased capacity for increased atmosphere etc etc

When you buy a ticket in the South Stand, whether you're a Season member or not, everyone's equal. It's about the we not the me.

With fluctuating attendances, if we were to go back to reserved seating, how can all the singers sit/stand together?

[Nudga]

I understand the trouble in the south stand was due to someone leaving their seat and others then went and sat in them.
This is happening all the time in the south stand, basically we has a family cannot go down to the concourse together, thus I have spoken to Gavin about this on a couple of occasions. (Loss of revenue at half time and also before game because we go to the seats about 45-60mins before kick off)
The only way to resolve is to go back to reserved seating as per the other stands!

I know many will immediately come on here saying no way, saying south stand will lose atmosphere, but does reserved seating in the Anfield kop or Old Traffords  Stretford end have no atmosphere?

Unreserved seating is exactly that. On your feel, lose your seat. It is the nature of the beast.


I’ve said for a year or so now that the SS should go back to reserved seating. Increased revenue, the regulars can sit where they want/singers can still sit together, increased capacity for increased atmosphere etc etc

When you buy a ticket in the South Stand, whether you're a Season member or not, everyone's equal. It's about the we not the me.

With fluctuating attendances, if we were to go back to reserved seating, how can all the singers sit/stand together?

I think everyone by now has found their ideal spot. Singers middle top and those who sit middle to bottom.

I'd be happy going back to reserved seating now we've got our own little like minded group.

[drfchound]

I understand the trouble in the south stand was due to someone leaving their seat and others then went and sat in them.
This is happening all the time in the south stand, basically we has a family cannot go down to the concourse together, thus I have spoken to Gavin about this on a couple of occasions. (Loss of revenue at half time and also before game because we go to the seats about 45-60mins before kick off)
The only way to resolve is to go back to reserved seating as per the other stands!

I know many will immediately come on here saying no way, saying south stand will lose atmosphere, but does reserved seating in the Anfield kop or Old Traffords  Stretford end have no atmosphere?

Unreserved seating is exactly that. On your feel, lose your seat. It is the nature of the beast.


I’ve said for a year or so now that the SS should go back to reserved seating. Increased revenue, the regulars can sit where they want/singers can still sit together, increased capacity for increased atmosphere etc etc

When you buy a ticket in the South Stand, whether you're a Season member or not, everyone's equal. It's about the we not the me.

With fluctuating attendances, if we were to go back to reserved seating, how can all the singers sit/stand together?

I think everyone by now has found their ideal spot. Singers middle top and those who sit middle to bottom.

I'd be happy going back to reserved seating now we've got our own little like minded group.

Agreed Nudga, almost all of the regulars migrate to the same seats every week.

[DRFCSouth]

Surely could be handled better than grown ups fighting over seats.

[ForsolongaRover]

We can relate this to DRFC and expect them to play their part, but violence of this sort is a societal problem and it is the police that should be on the front line.  Reading most of what has been said you might wonder whether law-breaking around football was regarded as entirely the responsibilty of clubs rather than a police matter. And of course the law-abiding majority of fans are not slow in feeling that their club is implicated when in fact people like these don’t need  a football match as an excuse.

I’m not sure that the principle that those who put on sporting and entertainment events should have to pay for a police presence is reasonable when individuals looking for fights and to commit acts of vandalism  simply use the event as a justification. It seems no different for the violent and unsocial behaviour that is regularly depicted on TV outside late night entertainment venues, venues that (as far as I know) do not have to bear the cost of such policing.

The police have a difficult job and are probably underfunded, but behaviour has certainly deteriorated frighteningly since policy has more or less reduced their presence on the streets completely. It is ironic that there was never any trouble in the 40s and 50s yet then there were always policemen in and around the ground.

[Padge_DRFC]

It's not just atmosphere it's great for. I have a season ticket however a lot of people I know who go don't. Some pay on the day some have multi games. Go back to reserved some won't come. For a lot it's not just being able to stand/sit. It's being able to be with a large group or simply other people you wouldn't be able to if it was reserved.

[Ian Nimmo]

It's not just atmosphere it's great for. I have a season ticket however a lot of people I know who go don't. Some pay on the day some have multi games. Go back to reserved some won't come. For a lot it's not just being able to stand/sit. It's being able to be with a large group or simply other people you wouldn't be able to if it was reserved.

I don’t agree, the south stand is better if filled with those attending most games, not just those who choose to attend odd games.
Not sure on actual numbers but guess the number of season tickets in the SS is already quite high.
If those that want to sit in a large group they need to purchase a season ticket.
Purchasing a season ticket year on year should give an advantage over those who do not attend every game.
So on this basis your view doesn’t stack up.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It's not just atmosphere it's great for. I have a season ticket however a lot of people I know who go don't. Some pay on the day some have multi games. Go back to reserved some won't come. For a lot it's not just being able to stand/sit. It's being able to be with a large group or simply other people you wouldn't be able to if it was reserved.

Yes, there's all sorts of benefits, pros and cons.

Just in my group when others have wanted to come with us, only to find they couldn't get a seat anywhere near us, they didn't bother.

We went down the unreserved route to address bringing singers together instead of having separate groups here and there all with a view to recreating the better togetherness experienced at away matches, so creating the conditions that are more condusive for encouraging fans to sing and feel they could stand, without fear of being told to sit down etc, Being somewhere where you can feel it's OK to be spontaneous and boisterous adds up the overall objective of being heard and getting behind the team.

There was alot of thought and research that went into setting it up in the first place with fans visiting other clubs for example. Taking ideas from clubs like Borrussia Dortmund who made us realise how much planning goes into making things look spontaneous, with banners, Flags, Tifos, songs etc.

There's no reason why things shouldn't be reviewed from time to time, but this should be done by the fans, for the fans with the support of the club. The Black Bank who have promoted the brand and gone a long way to improving the atmosphere need to be involved, along with all South Stand fans regular or occasional.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It's not just atmosphere it's great for. I have a season ticket however a lot of people I know who go don't. Some pay on the day some have multi games. Go back to reserved some won't come. For a lot it's not just being able to stand/sit. It's being able to be with a large group or simply other people you wouldn't be able to if it was reserved.

I don’t agree, the south stand is better if filled with those attending most games, not just those who choose to attend odd games.
Not sure on actual numbers but guess the number of season tickets in the SS is already quite high.
If those that want to sit in a large group they need to purchase a season ticket.
Purchasing a season ticket year on year should give an advantage over those who do not attend every game.
So on this basis your view doesn’t stack up.

It's not just atmosphere it's great for. I have a season ticket however a lot of people I know who go don't. Some pay on the day some have multi games. Go back to reserved some won't come. For a lot it's not just being able to stand/sit. It's being able to be with a large group or simply other people you wouldn't be able to if it was reserved.

I don’t agree, the south stand is better if filled with those attending most games, not just those who choose to attend odd games.
Not sure on actual numbers but guess the number of season tickets in the SS is already quite high.
If those that want to sit in a large group they need to purchase a season ticket.
Purchasing a season ticket year on year should give an advantage over those who do not attend every game.
So on this basis your view doesn’t stack up.

There are many reasons why people can't attend every game so it's not practical to buy a season ticket for a reserved seat. So, stripping the privilege of 'owning' a specific seat, gives everyone equal access to preferred areas where you can choose to either sit for the majority of the game or sit instead. You can move, do both if you wish. It provides more flexibility  For those who it means more to have a specific seat, week in week out, there's other stands where you can exercise that preference.

Just a recent example for one aspect of this. Last seasons cup game v Palace. The drummer had to move because of the TV camera which resulted in there being a split in the groups of singers. Some stayed centrally and others moved to be near the drummer. The singing wasn't quite as in unison as normal.

Obviously, there's more to it than that but everyone's entitled to express their views on what's desirable and practical.

[Stewmaiden79]

Only my opinion but I think going back to reserved seating will dampen the atmosphere because people who want to sing and also stand won’t be able to mass together. Someone mentioned the Kop and the Stretford end , that neither is  un reserved seating. This is true, but it’s also true that the atmosphere in both these stands are generally poor. The people who complain about the atmosphere in these particular stands say that is down to the fact that they can’t sit with their friends and they are split up and diluted by “day trippers” who don’t sing or add to the atmosphere. I feel reserved seating in the south stand will create this exact effect. If anyone is interested there’s a video on you tube called “ where’s our famous atmosphere “ it’s a half hour documentary talking about the lack of atmosphere at old Trafford and some of the reasons.

Personally I think half the south stand being safe standing/terracing would be the way forward with reserved seats in the front for those who’d prefer. Again just my opinion.


And as for the cowards who assaulted the Exeter fans, I hope they get banned for life.

[donnyguy]

Headline in Free Press
Teen in hospital with serious injuries as violence mars first Doncaster Rovers match

Emergency services were called to Stadium Way outside the club’s Eco Power Stadium on Saturday night shortly after Rovers’ 1-0 win over Exeter City in their opening fixture of the League One campaign.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Only my opinion but I think going back to reserved seating will dampen the atmosphere because people who want to sing and also stand won’t be able to mass together. Someone mentioned the Kop and the Stretford end , that neither is  un reserved seating. This is true, but it’s also true that the atmosphere in both these stands are generally poor. The people who complain about the atmosphere in these particular stands say that is down to the fact that they can’t sit with their friends and they are split up and diluted by “day trippers” who don’t sing or add to the atmosphere. I feel reserved seating in the south stand will create this exact effect. If anyone is interested there’s a video on you tube called “ where’s our famous atmosphere “ it’s a half hour documentary talking about the lack of atmosphere at old Trafford and some of the reasons.

Personally I think half the south stand being safe standing/terracing would be the way forward with reserved seats in the front for those who’d prefer. Again just my opinion.


And as for the cowards who assaulted the Exeter fans, I hope they get banned for life.

Pleased you mentioned about the sanitising of the Kop and other clubs feeling the day trippers are giving an adverse effect. It was something I was going on to say.

Without safe standing this is the next best thing we could do whilst staying within the remit of the safety advisory group.

Everton have been wrestling with similar issues with their move to the new ground, some groups being split up over price and seats being set aside for day trippers etc.They feel the atmospheres of old are going to be sanitised somewhat.

[Padge_DRFC]

If it was put to a vote 90% would want unreserved. If you want reserved go to another stand.

Fortunately this forum represents 1% if that

[LincsRover]

Headline in Free Press
Teen in hospital with serious injuries as violence mars first Doncaster Rovers match

Emergency services were called to Stadium Way outside the club’s Eco Power Stadium on Saturday night shortly after Rovers’ 1-0 win over Exeter City in their opening fixture of the League One campaign.

I hope he makes a full physical recovery but I’m sure mentally he’ll be scarred for a long time. I hope this means SYP come down on the scum that did it like a ton of bricks. They deserve nothing less than a good stretch locked up but however long it is won’t be enough!

[Usher wide.]

Imagine the fear of those two young boys being chased/cornered into a place where they knew something horrible, no matter how they pleaded, was going to happen to them.

As their parents you would never want your boys to be in that situation, be it at a football game or in a shopping precinct.

As a parent I know the length’s I & other parents go to in order to protect our children from bullying, be that via social media, out of school/college both mentally & physically.

Yes, we have to let our ‘children’ (be they 13 or 33) find their ‘own way’ in the world but, have the days gone (in this case in particular) when we can no longer trust them to be ‘protected’  by those that are employed to do exactly that ‘job’ in our absence to fulfill that responsibility?

Yes I hope those thugs who carried out this cowardly attack are brought to ‘justice’ (25 hours community service no doubt) but the authorities, i.e. the police on duty on that day need (in my opinion) to be brought to task.

They won’t be.

So let us then, as parents & good citizens who all happen to follow the same football club Doncaster Rovers, pledge to do our utmost as a group or individuals, wherever & whenever we encounter this fermenting, vile behaviour ‘gathering’ we spotlight it by reporting to Matchday Marshalls, police, video it, confront it (without putting loved ones we are with in jeopardy) & in doing so say..’NO. NOT HERE, NOT AT MY CLUB, YOU DO NOT BELONG!”.

Let’s all ‘step up’.

[LincsRover]

Imagine the fear of those two young boys being chased/cornered into a place where they knew something horrible, no matter how they pleaded, was going to happen to them.

As their parents you would never want your boys to be in that situation, be it at a football game or in a shopping precinct.

As a parent I know the length’s I & other parents go to in order to protect our children from bullying, be that via social media, out of school/college both mentally & physically.

Yes, we have to let our ‘children’ (be they 13 or 33) find their ‘own way’ in the world but, have the days gone (in this case in particular) when we can no longer trust them to be ‘protected’  by those that are employed to do exactly that ‘job’ in our absence to fulfill that responsibility?

Yes I hope those thugs who carried out this cowardly attack are brought to ‘justice’ (25 hours community service no doubt) but the authorities, i.e. the police on duty on that day need (in my opinion) to be brought to task.

They won’t be.

So let us then, as parents & good citizens who all happen to follow the same football club Doncaster Rovers, pledge to do our utmost as a group or individuals, wherever & whenever we encounter this fermenting, vile behaviour ‘gathering’ we spotlight it by reporting to Matchday Marshalls, police, video it, confront it (without putting loved ones we are with in jeopardy) & in doing so say..’NO. NOT HERE, NOT AT MY CLUB, YOU DO NOT BELONG!”.

Let’s all ‘step up’.

Absolutely!! 

They’re basically cowards who are nothing without their gang. If enough people stand up against them they’ll run away like the little rats they are! 

[KingKendrick]

I understand the trouble in the south stand was due to someone leaving their seat and others then went and sat in them.
This is happening all the time in the south stand, basically we has a family cannot go down to the concourse together, thus I have spoken to Gavin about this on a couple of occasions. (Loss of revenue at half time and also before game because we go to the seats about 45-60mins before kick off)
The only way to resolve is to go back to reserved seating as per the other stands!

I know many will immediately come on here saying no way, saying south stand will lose atmosphere, but does reserved seating in the Anfield kop or Old Traffords  Stretford end have no atmosphere?

We have a family stand for a reason (east). Unreserved was one of the best things they did in the south. 99% of the time there is no issue. Bigger issue is even trying to get served at half time.

[Donnywolf]

Shades of Oldham in the early 60s . Each set of fans sought revenge for the hammering they had in a previous away fixture

It was futile then and futile now but I am sure our discussions on here will be read and understood by the vast majority of the Exeter fans

However they too may have a "mad element" who dont read their Forum and / or dont care what the vast majority of our Fans think and be ready for action

I really hope they are not , as I for one remember the bad old days when it was unwise to even wear a Scarf in support of your Team and believe me plus SS , BB ,TT Idler Goole Rover etc etc none of you would really like to go back to those days

[BobG]

You took your life in your hands in the 70's when you went to any league match. I remember Blades and Grimsby running absolutely wild at BV. And who can ever forget those televised scenes at Luton in 1985 when Millwall arrived for an FA Cup match? Downright scary. So you're right DW. Nobody wants those days back.

BobG

PS  I went to The Den once. 1978. I have refused to go to any match involving Millwall since. The violence / intimidation was so bad that day that Bobby Robson said " turn the flamethrower on the bas**rds," meaning Millwall fans.

[IDM]

I went to Millwall in 2008, hammered them and won 3-0.  Not even a whiff of trouble.

[drfchound]

Im guessing that you are too young to have seen first hand the violence of the late sixties and throughout the seventies IDM.

[IDM]

I was certainly aware of it in the later 70s, and definitely early 80s.  I was careful.!

[SydneyRover]

I would suggest a good start and to set an example would be for threats of violence in any form not be used to settle argument/debate/disputes on here.

[Ian Nimmo]

I understand the trouble in the south stand was due to someone leaving their seat and others then went and sat in them.
This is happening all the time in the south stand, basically we has a family cannot go down to the concourse together, thus I have spoken to Gavin about this on a couple of occasions. (Loss of revenue at half time and also before game because we go to the seats about 45-60mins before kick off)
The only way to resolve is to go back to reserved seating as per the other stands!

I know many will immediately come on here saying no way, saying south stand will lose atmosphere, but does reserved seating in the Anfield kop or Old Traffords  Stretford end have no atmosphere?

We have a family stand for a reason (east). Unreserved was one of the best things they did in the south. 99% of the time there is no issue. Bigger issue is even trying to get served at half time.

We are a family of adults, no kids.
99% indicates trouble in less than one game, there were multiple games last season when trouble occurred in the south stand. Also arguments around seating occur regularly.

[Goole Rover]

Shades of Oldham in the early 60s . Each set of fans sought revenge for the hammering they had in a previous away fixture

It was futile then and futile now but I am sure our discussions on here will be read and understood by the vast majority of the Exeter fans

However they too may have a "mad element" who dont read their Forum and / or dont care what the vast majority of our Fans think and be ready for action

I really hope they are not , as I for one remember the bad old days when it was unwise to even wear a Scarf in support of your Team and believe me plus SS , BB ,TT Idler Goole Rover etc etc none of you would really like to go back to those days

What about Luton 1970 my old mate.

[Jimmydee]

I once told off 2 fellas that were consistently effing and jeffing because it was unnecessary and I had a young grandson with me, they told me to eff off into the family stand.
The family stand is good for the concourse pre match and half time entertainment and the Donny dog club, but surely the south stand isn’t just for adults only?
 

[selby]

  I will make a prediction about the atmosphere, if we lose four home games on the run, which i hope never happens that will dampen the atmosphere more tan any fight in the stands.
  And in answer to why there was less violence in the 1950's and early sixties, there was a million men walking the streets who were trained to kill, had seen in most cases men killed, and in many cases had killed men themselves and had seen more violence than we can imagine.
  It would have steadied a lot up when meeting strangers, as you could be meeting an ex commando who would beat the living daylights out of you, and 90% of the police on the beat were not college boys steeped in woke teachings but those very men in most cases sergeants used to making very quick decisions about what was the situation around them and reacted accordingly , usually with a truncheon.
   As a youngster in Askern they frightened you to death, just the words from parents Bobby Saville or Fitchet will come here to sort you out used to stop any misconduct, now they wave the human rights telephone contact number.