My stewards did nothing wrong, says Showsec boss in row over collapsed Manchester City fan
Mike Keegan
November 01, 2011
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Fans have criticised City stewards after internet footage emerged of a 60-year-old supporter collapsing following a confrontation. Fans have criticised City stewards after internet footage emerged of a 60-year-old supporter collapsing following a confrontation.
Fans have criticised City stewards after internet footage emerged of a 60-year-old supporter collapsing following a confrontation. 1/2 Play Slideshow
* Fans have criticised City stewards after internet footage emerged of a 60-year-old supporter collapsing following a confrontation.
* Alan Wallace, regional manager for Showsec.
The boss of a security firm slammed by City supporters after a 60-year-old fan collapsed at the Etihad Stadium has defended the response of his staff.
Alan Wallace, regional manager for Showsec, says stewards were acting on a request from club officials when they tried to turf out the man for persistent standing during City’s match against Aston Villa.
The M.E.N. reported how supporters reacted with fury as video footage apperared on the internet of the collapsed fan – who was seen telling stewards he has a heart condition.
Mr Wallace, 38, spoke out as Blues bosses ruled they were happy about how the situation had been dealt with – and said they had spoken to the fan involved. He said he was ‘disheartened’ by the fans’ response to the incident, which sparked more than 140 comments on the M.E.N. website.
He said: “All I would ask is that they don’t make their minds up on a three-minute internet clip.
“I think it’s important to get across that we don’t decide who gets thrown out and we don’t pick anyone out. The match safety officer makes that decision and then we follow their procedures.”
Mr Wallace, from Bolton, also dismissed claims his staff were poorly trained.
He said: “Fifteen to 20 of our managers have degrees in crowd safety and there are usually four of those on duty on matchdays at City. We pride ourselves in our investment in staff training and we have won recognition and awards for it – it’s just not right to say people are given the jacket and told to get on with it.”
He added that Showsec had worked at City for 13 years.
He said: “Over that time incidents like this have been few and far between. On the whole we have a very good relationship with the fans. I can understand their reaction to this, but what you see on YouTube is just a few snaps and doesn’t show the incident in the best light.”
The Showsec boss rejected claims that stewards branded fans thugs. He said: “We know that the vast majority of football fans are well-behaved. The work we do is about protecting them and their safety is paramount. Dealing with trouble-causers is a small part of our jobs.”
A City spokesman said: “Following a positive meeting between the club and the supporter, both parties have reached an amicable solution and the matter is now resolved.”
Letters have been sent to fans in the section reminding them of City’s no-standing policy and the reasons behind it.
