Chelsea fans throwing missiles from South Stand 3rd tier

[Gone for a Burton]

ANY correspondence should be sent in the first instance to Danny Wilson with a copy to Mike Summerbee.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Emailed this to the club, I'm not holding my breath, but we have to start somewhere.


I am a long-term season ticket holder at City - South Stand Level 1, block 116.

I have recently attended the EFL cup tie against Liverpool & Sundays FA Cup tie against Chelsea. On both occasions 116 has been subject to objects been thrown into the home supporters, from the away supporters above us. These including coins, lighters, plastic bottles, liquids and disgustingly, spit.

Last night was particularly bad for spitting, after City scored the 3rd goal. There is clear video evidence on-line of a group of Chelsea fans in Level 2 CONTINUOUSLY splitting on City fans below them IN FULL VIEW of the adjacent stewards. The club stewards & police did NOTHING to stop this which I find baffling, very annoying and shameful.

It seems City are currently failing in their care of duty to its own supporters and I have no confidence in attending any future Cup games at The Etihad when there is a large contingent of away supporters placed above the City fans. When you consider that the perpetrator of the injuries inflicted upon the poor girl at the Liverpool game has yet to be named & shamed, it feels like City fans are fair game whilst away supporters get clean away with shameful behaviour.

• When is the club going to come out and defend its supporters and lay blame where it belongs?
• When are the club going to give the same level of security to home fans that away fans enjoy?
• Why are big followings of rival teams allowed to leave the ground at the same time as City fans? Especially when they have been engaging in unlawful actions?
• Why do I, as a City fan, have to keep one eye on what’s being thrown from above, for my own safety?
• Why is policing at City so passive, when it is clearly visible that away fans are continuously engaging in unlawful behaviour?

The club find it easy to issue joint statements with Liverpool, without taking any action against Liverpool supporters hurling objects into home fans. The club issued a statement (rightly) condemning alleged “homophobic” chants against Chelsea but made no comment to condemn the appalling behaviour of the Chelsea fans in Level 2, which in my view was the root cause of the inappropriate chants.

The club are running the very real risk of alienating its supporters, who are fed up with being treated with contempt on security issues, as described above. Perhaps you could put my mind at rest that me and my partner will be safe attending the next cup game, likely to be Arsenal, who will no doubt be given Level 2 & Level 3 as Chelsea were? Or do I look forward to further spit & phlegm being rained down upon us, by those above?

Your comments would be appreciated.

Very very eloquent mate. Oh that the responses from our club were in similar vein

 

[Dodge]

Don’t hold your breath on a reply from Mr McDonnell , I’m still waiting on the response he assured me off at the end of November, I’ve even emailed since chasing it up but had no reply !

Probably too busy celebrating his Nov 2022 promotion to the board my friend.
Pretty stellar career path since leaving Cheshire Constabulary, whilst overseeing several recent breakdowns in security at the stadium. But, at least he got the MCFC hoodlums that celebrated on the pitch brought to book.

Manchester City Football Club​

3 years 5 months

• Director of Safety And Security​

  Nov 2022 - Present 3 months
  Manchester Area, United Kingdom

• Head of Safety and Security at Manchester City Football Club​

  May 2022 - Nov 2022 7 months
  Manchester, England, United Kingdom

• Manchester City Football Club Safety and Security manager​

  Sep 2019 - May 2022 2 years 9 months
• 
  

  Global Lead for Critical Incidents​

  City Football Group​

  Oct 2020 - May 2022 1 year 8 months
  Manchester, England, United Kingdom
• 
  

  Superintendent​

  Cheshire Police (Cheshire Constabulary)​

  Apr 2012 - Jul 2019 7 years 4 months

 

[Dodge]

OK, I've had a long and detailed call from Carl Capewell, who is the Senior Safety & Security Manager at City. He reports to Luke McDonnell, who in turn reports to Danny Wilson. A surprisingly open and frank conversation, which (to a certain extent) has answered satisfactorily all my queries. To summarise as follows:

* The two Chelsea fans who were witnessed spitting and throwing items onto SS1 were arrested by GMP at the match and subsequently charged with public order offences. They will go to Court and will have banning orders imposed. The club have chosen NOT to publicise this, despite objections from the Security team at City.
* The CCTV system at City is 10 years old and is not fit for purpose in identifying offenders in Level 3, because it mirrors the North Stand layout. CCTV camera's have now been positioned on the roof of the South Stand in the hope that it can now pick up any Level 3 illegal behaviour. The CCTV system will be upgraded when orders are placed for the Arena CCTV system, when the two systems can be aligned.
* Increased signage has been added in the away end which specifically details missiles, pryro's and spitting - advising any caught will be arrested, charged and brought before the courts. Football banning orders will be implemented. This will be supported by messaging on the TV screens in the concourse.
* Plastic pint pots are now not available in the away end for all PL games (or in Level 2/3 for expanded away followings for cup games). The beer will be served in orange paper cups, easier to identify when being thrown and easier to spot by stewards when being brought into the stadium from the concourse. He did mention that Asahi objected strongly to this because paper cups affect the taste of their beer!
* For the Arsenal game on Friday the first FOUR rows of seats in L2 will be netted off. This allows the club to place supporter facing stewards and police in front of the first row without affecting viewing lines of spectators, all in enhanced fluorescent jackets to provide a visible deterrent to any potential idiots. He described this line of stewards/police as a "colour show" as is used in European stadiums for high profile games.
* Although the Arsenal game is officially a "medium risk" event, City will be deploying a "high risk" level of stewarding/police for the game. Bizarrely, the Club initially planned for a 4:30pm Sunday event, which would have been regarded as "high risk". The move to Friday night has reduced the risk apparently.
* The club have requested 5 x GMP PSU groups for the game on Friday, each PSU (Police Support Unit) is 27 officers.
* There will also be an additional 100 stewards in place on Friday night.

The club is looking at several options to erect netting for future Cup games with expanded away allocations. City will be the first Premier League club to erect netting, so it has to be right and this will be in place next season.

Reading between the lines, the security team do not agree with the softly, softly "holistic" approach to calling out the behaviour of away fans at the Etihad. This is borne out by the club not publicising the arrests made at the Chelsea game, whilst making statements calling out alleged homophobic chants by City fans.

That's it, in a nutshell. Make of it what you will, but Friday will be the acid test.

Up the fucking Blues.

 

[BeerIsTheBest]

OK, I've had a long and detailed call from Carl Capewell, who is the Senior Safety & Security Manager at City. He reports to Luke McDonnell, who in turn reports to Danny Wilson. A surprisingly open and frank conversation, which (to a certain extent) has answered satisfactorily all my queries. To summarise as follows:

* The two Chelsea fans who were witnessed spitting and throwing items onto SS1 were arrested by GMP at the match and subsequently charged with public order offences. They will go to Court and will have banning orders imposed. The club have chosen NOT to publicise this, despite objections from the Security team at City.
* The CCTV system at City is 10 years old and is not fit for purpose in identifying offenders in Level 3, because it mirrors the North Stand layout. CCTV camera's have now been positioned on the roof of the South Stand in the hope that it can now pick up any Level 3 illegal behaviour. The CCTV system will be upgraded when orders are placed for the Arena CCTV system, when the two systems can be aligned.
* Increased signage has been added in the away end which specifically details missiles, pryro's and spitting - advising any caught will be arrested, charged and brought before the courts. Football banning orders will be implemented. This will be supported by messaging on the TV screens in the concourse.
* Plastic pint pots are now not available in the away end for all PL games (or in Level 2/3 for expanded away followings for cup games). The beer will be served in orange paper cups, easier to identify when being thrown and easier to spot by stewards when being brought into the stadium from the concourse. He did mention that Asahi objected strongly to this because paper cups affect the taste of their beer!
* For the Arsenal game on Friday the first FOUR rows of seats in L2 will be netted off. This allows the club to place supporter facing stewards and police in front of the first row without affecting viewing lines of spectators, all in enhanced fluorescent jackets to provide a visible deterrent to any potential idiots. He described this line of stewards/police as a "colour show" as is used in European stadiums for high profile games.
* Although the Arsenal game is officially a "medium risk" event, City will be deploying a "high risk" level of stewarding/police for the game. Bizarrely, the Club initially planned for a 4:30pm Sunday event, which would have been regarded as "high risk". The move to Friday night has reduced the risk apparently.
* The club have requested 5 x GMP PSU groups for the game on Friday, each PSU (Police Support Unit) is 27 officers.
* There will also be an additional 100 stewards in place on Friday night.

The club is looking at several options to erect netting for future Cup games with expanded away allocations. City will be the first Premier League club to erect netting, so it has to be right and this will be in place next season.

Reading between the lines, the security team do not agree with the softly, softly "holistic" approach to calling out the behaviour of away fans at the Etihad. This is borne out by the club not publicising the arrests made at the Chelsea game, whilst making statements calling out alleged homophobic chants by City fans.

That's it, in a nutshell. Make of it what you will, but Friday will be the acid test.

Up the fucking Blues.

Well done blue. The best bit in the summary was your report of the comment that ‘….Asahi objected strongly to this because paper cups affect the taste of their beer.’
On the basis this product already tastes of cat piss I’m not sure how the experience can get any worse!

 

[BringBackSwales]

OK, I've had a long and detailed call from Carl Capewell, who is the Senior Safety & Security Manager at City. He reports to Luke McDonnell, who in turn reports to Danny Wilson. A surprisingly open and frank conversation, which (to a certain extent) has answered satisfactorily all my queries. To summarise as follows:

* The two Chelsea fans who were witnessed spitting and throwing items onto SS1 were arrested by GMP at the match and subsequently charged with public order offences. They will go to Court and will have banning orders imposed. The club have chosen NOT to publicise this, despite objections from the Security team at City.
* The CCTV system at City is 10 years old and is not fit for purpose in identifying offenders in Level 3, because it mirrors the North Stand layout. CCTV camera's have now been positioned on the roof of the South Stand in the hope that it can now pick up any Level 3 illegal behaviour. The CCTV system will be upgraded when orders are placed for the Arena CCTV system, when the two systems can be aligned.
* Increased signage has been added in the away end which specifically details missiles, pryro's and spitting - advising any caught will be arrested, charged and brought before the courts. Football banning orders will be implemented. This will be supported by messaging on the TV screens in the concourse.
* Plastic pint pots are now not available in the away end for all PL games (or in Level 2/3 for expanded away followings for cup games). The beer will be served in orange paper cups, easier to identify when being thrown and easier to spot by stewards when being brought into the stadium from the concourse. He did mention that Asahi objected strongly to this because paper cups affect the taste of their beer!
* For the Arsenal game on Friday the first FOUR rows of seats in L2 will be netted off. This allows the club to place supporter facing stewards and police in front of the first row without affecting viewing lines of spectators, all in enhanced fluorescent jackets to provide a visible deterrent to any potential idiots. He described this line of stewards/police as a "colour show" as is used in European stadiums for high profile games.
* Although the Arsenal game is officially a "medium risk" event, City will be deploying a "high risk" level of stewarding/police for the game. Bizarrely, the Club initially planned for a 4:30pm Sunday event, which would have been regarded as "high risk". The move to Friday night has reduced the risk apparently.
* The club have requested 5 x GMP PSU groups for the game on Friday, each PSU (Police Support Unit) is 27 officers.
* There will also be an additional 100 stewards in place on Friday night.

The club is looking at several options to erect netting for future Cup games with expanded away allocations. City will be the first Premier League club to erect netting, so it has to be right and this will be in place next season.

Reading between the lines, the security team do not agree with the softly, softly "holistic" approach to calling out the behaviour of away fans at the Etihad. This is borne out by the club not publicising the arrests made at the Chelsea game, whilst making statements calling out alleged homophobic chants by City fans.

That's it, in a nutshell. Make of it what you will, but Friday will be the acid test.

Up the fucking Blues.

Did he mention whether any liverpool fans had been charged?

 

[LongsightM13]

OK, I've had a long and detailed call from Carl Capewell, who is the Senior Safety & Security Manager at City. He reports to Luke McDonnell, who in turn reports to Danny Wilson. A surprisingly open and frank conversation, which (to a certain extent) has answered satisfactorily all my queries. To summarise as follows:

* The two Chelsea fans who were witnessed spitting and throwing items onto SS1 were arrested by GMP at the match and subsequently charged with public order offences. They will go to Court and will have banning orders imposed. The club have chosen NOT to publicise this, despite objections from the Security team at City.
* The CCTV system at City is 10 years old and is not fit for purpose in identifying offenders in Level 3, because it mirrors the North Stand layout. CCTV camera's have now been positioned on the roof of the South Stand in the hope that it can now pick up any Level 3 illegal behaviour. The CCTV system will be upgraded when orders are placed for the Arena CCTV system, when the two systems can be aligned.
* Increased signage has been added in the away end which specifically details missiles, pryro's and spitting - advising any caught will be arrested, charged and brought before the courts. Football banning orders will be implemented. This will be supported by messaging on the TV screens in the concourse.
* Plastic pint pots are now not available in the away end for all PL games (or in Level 2/3 for expanded away followings for cup games). The beer will be served in orange paper cups, easier to identify when being thrown and easier to spot by stewards when being brought into the stadium from the concourse. He did mention that Asahi objected strongly to this because paper cups affect the taste of their beer!
* For the Arsenal game on Friday the first FOUR rows of seats in L2 will be netted off. This allows the club to place supporter facing stewards and police in front of the first row without affecting viewing lines of spectators, all in enhanced fluorescent jackets to provide a visible deterrent to any potential idiots. He described this line of stewards/police as a "colour show" as is used in European stadiums for high profile games.
* Although the Arsenal game is officially a "medium risk" event, City will be deploying a "high risk" level of stewarding/police for the game. Bizarrely, the Club initially planned for a 4:30pm Sunday event, which would have been regarded as "high risk". The move to Friday night has reduced the risk apparently.
* The club have requested 5 x GMP PSU groups for the game on Friday, each PSU (Police Support Unit) is 27 officers.
* There will also be an additional 100 stewards in place on Friday night.

The club is looking at several options to erect netting for future Cup games with expanded away allocations. City will be the first Premier League club to erect netting, so it has to be right and this will be in place next season.

Reading between the lines, the security team do not agree with the softly, softly "holistic" approach to calling out the behaviour of away fans at the Etihad. This is borne out by the club not publicising the arrests made at the Chelsea game, whilst making statements calling out alleged homophobic chants by City fans.

That's it, in a nutshell. Make of it what you will, but Friday will be the acid test.

Up the fucking Blues.

Very interesting stuff, thanks for posting

 

[LongsightM13]

Did he mention whether any liverpool fans had been charged?

Almost certainly not, reading between the lines, because they were only on L3 and so couldn’t be seen by the crap CCTV
Of course ‘the greatest fans in football’ could always do the decent thing and turn in the scumbag who scarred a young girl for life, but I won’t be holding my breath…
I wonder if GMP are giving us a discount on the increased policing costs, seeing as much of this problem is of their own making, ie by insisting away fans go up there for cup games

 

[paulchapo]

Well done blue. The best bit in the summary was your report of the comment that ‘….Asahi objected strongly to this because paper cups affect the taste of their beer.’
On the basis this product already tastes of cat piss I’m not sure how the experience can get any worse!

Yes it's crap. No idea why we can't get some bitter in there even if it's a can of John Smith's in a can, obviously poured out and not just given the can.

It's ridiculous the club not publicising arrests and the result as that deters others if they think they may get caught and banned.

 

[Stephen230]

Seems bizarre that the club would want to keep it a secret that Chelsea fans are being prosecuted.

Unless they mean, until after the court case to minimise the prospect of people jeopardising a prosecution?