Joke police

[BritishGAS]

Just ignore BritishGas, he'll soon find out he just supports another little local club when the Pompey hoardes turn up next season. After they've sold out their away allocation and put a few hundred in the home end I wouldn't be surprised to see them outnumber the home fans at every away game next season.

Why are you all being rude and grumpy?

I made a little light hearted comment, which has obviously got the majority of your goats up

A few have realised I was only messing about, but it has gone over most of your heads

Pompey hoardes wont turn up in their thousands, dont be silly

We have had Leeds, Forest, Norwich, Southampton, Leicester visit the Mem in recent years, who are better supported than Pompey, and we have never had away fans in home area's

It doesn't normally happen at most grounds, the only places I recall it happening is at Plainmoor, Exeter, Cheltenham and Yeovil, normally because home areas have not been sold out and Gasheads have taken advantage of that by buying tickets in the home areas

What Rovers have done in the past is increase the away allocation by giving them a section of terracing that is usually reserved for segregation

If Torquay were anticipating a large away following then wouldn't of it been sensible to allocate a block of The Bench or whatever for Gasheads?

Clubs like Walsall, Oxford, Swindon have all done this for Gasheads in the past

It wouldnt of affected the attendance would it? It was 500 or so below capacity

Anyway, Like i said I was only trying to be lighthearted, it obviously backfired on the majority of you, no offense was meant by it

I will look forward to another visit to plainmoor next season

If we are still in the same division in 2015, then you will be able to bring 2.5k of your own supporters to The UWE Stadium

[gullintwoplaces]

To be honest I am really saddened by some of the comments from Torquay fans above. I sat in Bristows Bench (and I am NOT "elderly" thank you Mav), and I am telling you that many Torquay fans sitting around me were extremely unhappy about the fact that they were being taunted by chants and behaviour from some of the Gasheads who were sat in "home fans" seats. I was sat there, I heard the comments from home fans and saw/heard the gasheads being extremely provocative in a part of the ground that is supposed to be "home" and I DON'T want to be told:

- It didn't happen (by people who weren't sat there).
- It was all a fuss over nothing.
- It was our fault because all the fans in Bristows Bench are "elderly" and too sensitive,
- It was our fault because the Torquay fans don't sing or create a good atmosphere (this comment in particular is a pile of cr*p because the Torquay fans gave the team good support for the most part yesterday, including singing from the "elderly" fans in Bristows Bench).

For goodness' sake give the benefit of the doubt to your own fans. If they say they were offended then THEY WERE OFFENDED. If I said that players with pony tails shouldn't be offended by chants of "where's your caravan", then some people would jump on me, so just take it that that it should not have happened.

At the end of the day it is water under the bridge now. We stayed up, and that is what matters. But please don't go knocking your own fans, they turn up to support the team regularly (it was REGULARS that were upset, not folk who had just come for one game).

I would hate for there to be any continuing issues with us and Rovers. Most gasheads are great, passionate fans with a good sense of humour. I have watched them many times (and not just against Torquay), and it is usually a good laugh (except one infamous game that I went to against Millwall at Eastville). I just hope that the club learn lessons, which might include giving away fans an extra section for particular games. We welcome fans from every club (except Millwall, Leeds and Cardiff) and it is great that Rovers fans spend their money at the Club and in the town to boost the local economy. Just don't take the p*ss.!!

[taxilady]

[sam]

Being amongst it all on the Bench, I have to say that as this was a crucial game, it was a red rag to a bull having away supporters taunting the home ones and a public order situation could well have arisen. Emotions were running high. Money is not the most important factor when it comes down to a safe environment in which to watch a match. According to someone in the Popside there was plenty of seats available for the Rovers fans to go to in their allocation on the Bench. It is just not on to allow away supporters (who have bit of a reputation) in a highly emotive game, to sit among the home fans. The police can override any decision the club make about stewarding and this is what they should have done yesterday, the Rovers fans escorted to the vacant seats in their own section or behind the goal. Those in charge of the safety of the ground got away with it yesterday, by the skin of their teeth. It seems strange that a middle aged man who holds his iphone camera up while sitting on the Bench, to take a general photo of the ground will be immediately approached by two stone faced stewards telling him to desist. Yet antagonistic away fans in the home section, goading the home fans, doesn't even warrant them walking up the first step.

[divingbboy]

Yep, that pack of Rovers supporters were taking the proverbial. It wasn't merely that they were cheering on their team, they were being abusive and provocative, even chanting "You are going down!". That was the problem. It's not a question of people being touchy or over-sensitive. They were deliberately creating an ugly, antagonistic atmosphere. If they'd tried that in the popside, they would have had their heads kicked in.

[taxilady]

just taken this from the Bristol Fans' Forum...'I noticed that too. A real hard one for the TUFC and the police, but I think they got away with it,

But imagine if the same situation with a large number of Torquay fans in the Blackthorn and we were the ones biting our finger nails needing a result to stay up! It would have been potential Armageddon! We would have felt invaded at our most vulnerable moment.

So fair play to those Torquay fans, some who must have been really irritated with the visiting presence in the home end, but still managed to keep a lid on their feelings enough to avoid a real incident. They should know that most Rovers fans wanted them to stay up.'

[A Candy]

I have posted this in reply to the same type of comments under the topic " Ideas for Mr Candy" but might be worth reproducing it here as well.
Thank you.

Good Morning.
First of all a big thank you to all our fans for their wonderful support in what was a pulsating game and the part they played in the securing of our league status.
OK-I am not going to duck the issues that have been raised so I will do my best to explain some of the background to the less savory events of yesterday.
Why was the game not all ticket?-we had the option of making this an all ticket game but from previous occasions when we have done this the feedback from fans was that it is not popular as they have to make two journeys and for exiled fans it is even more difficult. All ticket games have often resulted in poorer attendances and loss of income. After yesterday we will need to reassess this for the big games next season.
What was done to prevent Rovers fans buying home tickets?-we did not intentionally sell any tickets to Rovers fans in accordance with our agreement with the Safety Advisory Group ( SAG) and the Police. We suspended the on-line ticketing system as it was open to abuse from away fans. No tickets were sent to a Bristol or surrounding post code. We asked for identity from people who we did not recognise as home fans. The Police had local "spotters" to try and identify away fans trying to get in the Popside.
Why did Rovers fans still get in?-tickets were bought by local people, including some hoteliers, using local addresses on behalf of Rovers fans.Many fans were stopped getting in but some away fans did still manage to get through our security arrangements ( which will now be reviewed as clearly there are flaws).
Why were they not given more tickets as it was obvious that they would try and get in home areas?-they were given the full allocation for away fans, including the area normally covered by the flag as a segregation line. We employed more stewards in order to open this area. Given the importance of this game to Torquay fans it would not have been right to give Rovers an area that is designated for home fans.
Why were the fans in the home areas not evicted?-it was agreed between the Club, the Safety Officer and the Police that a decision on evictions would depend on whether this would make the situation more dangerous than leaving them where they were. For example, trying to evict a group of fans in BB could cause more safety issues given the steepness of the stand. An area of the Bench was used as a spill over area to relocate away fans who were in home areas and this worked fairly well.
Were some home fans unable to get in?-Once the turnstiles had sold their allocation of tickets for the Popside ( BB and the Family Stand had sold out hours before kick off) fans were sent to Main Reception. We were able to allow all these fans in to the ground just before or just past kick off as we had a number of pre-sold tickets, complimentary and season tickets not claimed in sufficient numbers to get everyone in. Communication between the turnstiles and the main office could have been better and this will also be addressed. There were very regular updates on the website over ticket sales and advice to get to the ground early but for some people this is not always possible and supports the argument as to why all ticket games are not popular.
Why were there some empty seats?-a number of season ticket holders and people who bought tickets in advance did not turn up.
What is the capacity of the ground?-the capacity of the ground is normally 6,200 ( this includes press, directors, wheelchair users etc) but for safety reasons it was agreed with SAG that the capacity for the Popside would be reduced so the overall capacity yesterday was 5,970

I appreciate that some people will not be happy with the response but at least it provides you with an explanation. There are lessons to be learnt after every game and yesterday was no different.
Thank you again for your support, enjoy the summer break and hopefully we will see you at Plainmoor next season ( unless you are a Rovers fan trying to get in the home areas).
Have a good day.
Andrew
A Candy
TUFC Staff


Posts: 82
Joined: 04 Aug 2011, 16:59

[BFC]

None of my business but I'll still have my say!

Going in the home stands at away games is OK but only if you show a modicum of respect to the home support and remember that you are the guest!
A few weeks ago we (Bury) played Oldham. There was a massive cock up in the ticketing, they brought more than expected and some of their fans (30-ish) sat in the stand opposite where I sit, a home stand. They scored and they went bananas and started jumping about. This was not taken well by the Bury fans sat nearby who piled in and ejected them. Quite a nasty incident. At the opposite end of the stand, the family section, I was told later by a mate there was some in that part too who sat on their hands and didn't celebrate. Despite everyone knowing they were Oldham there was no bother at all.

[PlainmoorRoar]

Andrew has answered all the concerns here read this^^ its a great response

[stefano]

I will look forward to another visit to plainmoor next season

If we are still in the same division in 2015, then you will be able to bring 2.5k of your own supporters to The UWE Stadium

If we are still in the same division in 2015 you will owe a serious wedge following your strangely optimistic forecast and wager on the future fortunes of our two clubs in your post on this forum of 1815 hours 8 June 2011.

[brucie]

It doesn't alter the fact that Bristol Rovers fans seem to think they can do what they want. Such arrogance is really typical of their "big club" mindset really, when basically they achieve "bugger all".
Purchasing tickets in the home end shows an arrogance beyond belief - the excuse that we should have given them more tickets or made money out of them is quite frankly ridiculous.
With so much riding on the game, for us anyway the potential for disorder by having fans grouped together is massive.
I agree though that the fault lies with our club for not ejecting this bunch of arrogant tossers in the first place.

[BritishGAS]

Indeed Stef

Hence why I wrote "If we are still in the same division" Not "When we are in the same division

[6667GULL]

Sorry Mr Candy but your response is flawed as per usual with Torquay United and their inadequate ticketing arrangements for so called 'big' games.
I was sat in Block F in Bristows Bench which I think had the largest number of away fans in that stand in the home areas.
The majority had obviously had a few shandies before the game and were in good humour.
However if trouble had kicked off then your reason that they couldn't have been moved due to the steepness of the stand would have read very hollow indeed to all the children, woman and elderly supporters who would have got caught up in the incident and couldn't escape easily.
Please please learn again from your shortcomimgs, you are not alone as this is yet another example of this that I have witnessed in the last forty years plus going to Plainmoor.

[tktufc91]

My auntie was sat in Bristows Bench surrounded by Rovers fans who were giving her grief when they scored. They were celebrating their goals and gave her stern glances when she celebrated. The club failed to do what they said what they would do and that is not acceptable. Had we gone down, I am sure there would have been ugly scenes.

I went to a Fulham v spurs game a while ago. I was sat in the Fulham end as a spurs fan and my mum is a Fulham fan. When spurs scored, I respected where I was and didn't celebrate. The majority of rovers fans in our home ends didn't and in my mind should have been ejected.

Still we are safe and we can look forward to next season but I hope the club takes a look at this and realise that trouble could have kicked off had results gone the other way.

[tufctillidie]

I think it was a disgrace the way the police and stewards handled the situation yesterday.

I was stood near that end and there was a lot of us kicking off and shouting at the police to do their job, if it had been any other club i'm it wouldn't of stayed as 'friendly' as it did.

Take Plymouth Vs exeter not so long ago, the riots that kicked off down there wasn't pleasent.

I have just phoned 101 and put a complaint in about the people that call them selfs the police, i am now awaiting a phone call from the sargent on duty for him to explain to me why his so called 'officers of the law' did not do there job properly and why we had to pay the extra for them to be there when in theory, it was pointless for them to be there at all. We shall see what he says.

I'm sure if enough people phone up and complain, then maybe we will get some answers, so get dialling 101 people, and make sure you get put through to D&C police.

Matt