CITY: SHOWSEC, Atmosphere, & Blatant Bullying.

[mancityvstoke]

Showsec are not really the problem and they are despised because of what the club are asking them to do - having said that some showsec stewards have an unfortunate aggressive sarcastic attitude which certainly adds to the bad feeling.

They also pick their fights - Celtic for example vs old people (easy target)

 

[Mancityfans.net'er]

Can I offer some perspective without it turning into a full scale argument.

Yes, I work for Showsec and have done for the past 2 seasons. I have never been involved in the Block 109 saga, but I do know a couple of the people who are and they are genuinely nice people. They are asked to do a job at the orders of the Club, and they do it.

I noticed a couple of posts about aisle ways, which is normally a job for the City Stewards, not Showsec. For clarification, anyone wearing a yellow (not hi-viz) or purple jacket are Showsec staff. Anyone in orange or yellow hi-viz with City Logo's on are employed directly by the club.

City have to comply with regulations, or at least do what is reasonably practicable in an effort to comply. There are representatives at each game for all the relevant bodies, and the Stadium would not be allowed to open if the club were unable to comply with the terms of their license. This means that all of the security companies employed at City must do as the club asks of them.

People are calling for Showsec to be removed from the Stadium, but this wouldn't solve any problems. If Showsec didn't do it, then IOS, Glo Security, G4S or any other you care to mention would be put in their place, and would operate to the exact same guidelines as Showsec do. I went to a Stoke away game once and it literally looked like they had just found a load of prison escapees and gave them a black security jacket, it happens at all Premier League clubs I would imagine, but with different security firms.

I wouldn't condone any sort of violence to any supporter, and I would urge you to report the individual directly to Showsec Management. We all have to carry an ID badge that has our details on it, and anyone that has an SIA license has to have it displayed for your information.

These aren't the views of Showsec and are purely my own, but I have read the thread and thought it needed a little balance, that's all.

It is inconsistent though mate, Showsec employ to many REDs and little hitlers who want to put their weight about. The majority have been ok for years, but there are a growing number of these idiots. I do note, that they are now nearly all women, since the youtube video above. Probably showsec/the club thinking that this may reduce any hostile violence. It won't.

We need a forum before it kicks off and is plastered all over sky sports for weeks at a time.

Do something City. You may not truly care for the fans or the atmosphere, but you care above revenue and reputation. This will blow up bigtime.

 

[Mancityfans.net'er]

We must know you then - we're middle of row M and have been since we moved to the ground

No, I was 107 row A, aisle, the immediate seats to the left (109) were almost ALL standing.

This was when that corner turned into the only bit of atmosphere the ground has ever had. Before this, it was the south stand, and if you can remember even the east stand/north corner was a 'singing section' for a brief period. Before my season tickets in 107 Row A we moved around.

Aside from all of the MAJOR issues City and showsec need to sort, its disappointing how lots of the good characters left 109 over the last 2 years 1) some just haven't renewed and 2) moved to the south stand in search of cheaper seats and no hassle - however the south stand has FAILED, as 3 tiers of 'singing section' and its still outsung by two blocks on the other side. Not having a go, as most of my mates are in there, but you aren't getting banned and thrown out, why not sing?

 

[Invisible Man Fan]

It is inconsistent though mate, Showsec employ to many REDs and little hitlers who want to put their weight about. The majority have been ok for years, but there are a growing number of these idiots. I do note, that they are now nearly all women, since the youtube video above. Probably showsec/the club thinking that this may reduce any hostile violence. It won't.

We need a forum before it kicks off and is plastered all over sky sports for weeks at a time.

Do something City. You may not truly care for the fans or the atmosphere, but you care above revenue and reputation. This will blow up bigtime.

I can't comment on the inconsistencies as we don't see what else is going on elsewhere in the stadium. I know that when I do my job, I am always consistent, unless you offer little/zero respect to me and I will be equally as respectable.

From a fans perspective, I know we need a proper forum. I have to be impartial at the game (as much as it hurts me not to scream at the pitch), but I have noticed a real change in the crowd dynamics over the past couple of years and it does need sorting. The 1894 lads do a great job (one of which is ex-showsec), but after the start of the game they are unable to do much and that's where the club comes in.

I don't buy the standing creates an atmosphere rubbish, as there are a load of them either side of the away fans on level 1 who stand and just hurl abuse at away fans for 90 minutes. Offering zero to the atmosphere of the stadium.

And finally, the too man Reds comment. As much I would love Showsec to put a ban on letting United fans work at City, it would be illegal (I think) for them to do that.

Again my views, not Showsec's

 

[Citycity76]

Exactly - power in numbers and a call to arms.

Sagna, Kev, Pep want US, the fans to back the team.

Us, the loyal fans who have stood in the same seat for years, want the support of fellow fans in the lower rows of 109 who have never been there before. Not standing to the song, allows showsec to systematically pickout vulnerable fans. This is nearly as furstrating as the showsec weasels themselves.

I've just drafted a lengthy letter to City.

Surely someone on here (the group on here who sort the flags?) have contacts at the club? I'm not back at work this week so have the time to get to the ground and force the issue.

Can we see a copy of your letter please.

 

[jrb]

Can I offer some perspective without it turning into a full scale argument.

Yes, I work for Showsec and have done for the past 2 seasons. I have never been involved in the Block 109 saga, but I do know a couple of the people who are and they are genuinely nice people. They are asked to do a job at the orders of the Club, and they do it.

I noticed a couple of posts about aisle ways, which is normally a job for the City Stewards, not Showsec. For clarification, anyone wearing a yellow (not hi-viz) or purple jacket are Showsec staff. Anyone in orange or yellow hi-viz with City Logo's on are employed directly by the club.

City have to comply with regulations, or at least do what is reasonably practicable in an effort to comply. There are representatives at each game for all the relevant bodies, and the Stadium would not be allowed to open if the club were unable to comply with the terms of their license. This means that all of the security companies employed at City must do as the club asks of them.

People are calling for Showsec to be removed from the Stadium, but this wouldn't solve any problems. If Showsec didn't do it, then IOS, Glo Security, G4S or any other you care to mention would be put in their place, and would operate to the exact same guidelines as Showsec do. I went to a Stoke away game once and it literally looked like they had just found a load of prison escapees and gave them a black security jacket, it happens at all Premier League clubs I would imagine, but with different security firms.

I wouldn't condone any sort of violence to any supporter, and I would urge you to report the individual directly to Showsec Management. We all have to carry an ID badge that has our details on it, and anyone that has an SIA license has to have it displayed for your information.

These aren't the views of Showsec and are purely my own, but I have read the thread and thought it needed a little balance, that's all.

We all know it's the club. And Showsec's staff are sent in to be the cannon fodder. While their paymasters look on from the directors box.

But it's the double standards that irk the fans. Specific Showsec stewards will target individual fans, they will harras them, then drag them out en-masse, along with other City stewards, and the Police. While this is going on other fans are still standing in tbe same isle, and throughout the block. Sorry, but what the f*** is all that about!?

And let's be honest, when some of Showsec put on that yellow jacket, they suddenly think they are above the law, regardless of what they are told. And think they can behave how they want, protected by the club and the Police.

Not only that, there have been numerous incidents of Showsec over stepping their remit, forceably dragging fans out, dragging them and leadng them up the steps, then gathering around those fans on the concourse(I've seen it myself), intimidating them, taking their season tickets off them, and marching them out of the ground.

If any fan behaved that towards a Showsec steward, they would be arrested.

One day all it will take is for one fan to sue the club, showsec, the steward/s involved, and the Police. Then that will open a floogate of claims. It will happen.

 

[billfromthehill]

Wankers, the lot of them. Against Celtic they weren't anywhere to be seen when there was a legitimate reason for them to get involved. Would love a couple of them to get the shit kicked out of them to make the club bring the police back in ( did I really say that!!)

+1 here I can't stand the ****s

 

[Ohrodneyrodney]

It was my family that had to leave yesterday- my parents (who are in their 70's) and one of my brothers. As a family we have 7 season tickets, we prefer to stand, but sit down if the stewards ask us to directly. Yesterday my brother objected to being asked to sit 30 seconds after Cliche's goal whilst we were still celebrating, so Showsec decided he had to go, my Mum and Dad disagreed so they had to go too. Bit of background on my Dad, he's followed City home and away since he was 8 years old - almost 60 years of loyal support - he has brought up his 7 children to do the same, he continued to attend and stand and sing throughout his chemotherapy treatment 3 years ago (what's your excuse for not being able to stand?!) and he will continue to do so along with the rest of us.
Those of you who are saying 109 was always seated are wrong- 109 was made up predominantly of the kippax block GG when we moved from Maine Rd, we stood there and we continue to stand here, we're repeatedly threatened by Showsec despite the fact that there are often away supporters a few rows infront. If you want to sit in silence, why don't you move over near Pep and bore him with the rest of them? Or better still, stay on your sofa and listen to the radio! Showsec take people out at random during quiet games, it's a fact - has anyone ever been asked to sit during a Derby??

Simply disgraceful this. Whats needed for a decent atmosphere is groups/families being together - much more likely to generate some noise. Whats the point of managers/players asking for more support when fans who are exactly what the club needs (instead of the half and half scarve wearing, photo taking, Ipad gazers they seem to prefer) are treated like this ? Have you approached the club ?

 

[gazinho]

Im repeating myself ad nauseum with this but I stand for the full game as does everyone behind me and many in front im in 314 the seat next to the segregation but far enough back for these clowns in yellow jackets to not pick on (yet).

Yesterday, showsec again, were an absolute joke, 6 of them marching up the stairs led by an absolute gobshite young black lad who thought it was his God given right to stand in front of paying fans (customers is probably a better term to use here at the minute) screaming at people 7 or 8 seats away demanding they sit down. Now I know they're being told to do a job but surely that doesnt include obscuring peoples view of the game, swearing at these people who dare to stand.

The 2 young lads who got taken down and presumably thrown out yesterday didnt reply to him in any way shape or form yet he felt it necessary to drag the police up to forcably remove them from their seats.

Their is a section of over 1000 away fans not 6 feet away that can happily stand and take the piss all they like without a word being said to them, its purely a case of jumped up dickheads picking on small groups of (or individual) City fans that they know cant and wont resist.

The most stupid thing about this whole charade that has been going on throughout the season is they dont bother doing it in the 'bigger' games, Spurs in a couple of weeks will have none of this but Swansea will, its fucking stupid and has gone totally beyond these showsec stewards showing any sembleance of reasonable behaviour.

 

[Mancityfans.net'er]

lablue109 - wow! what a joke, my dad had already been taken out and I refused to go back down, so found a space at the back. came down to see the coffufel and thank got the whole block showed showsec what they though.

bang on 100%, we don't need silent fans starting in fighting. 109 has stood right from row A for years, every year we are always the 'last line' nearly, as I'm sure City somehow market early rows accordingly.