Gone Swan 18:18 - Dec 29 with 10137 views | MJC | Dear fellow Planet Swans' posters, After 13 years of watching the Swans with my father - a season ticket holder of many a year - I have never quite been left dumbfounded by my experience at the Liberty (Bob Bradley aside). Around 30 minutes into the first half, myself and another other fan went to the aid of child of about 8 years' of age who was attending the match with his grandfather in the NW upper stand - they were sat alone in the block next to me and a few rows behind (next to the away). The grandfather and his grandson were suffering quite abbhorent abuse from the away support from quite early on. Our stewards had gone over to the away support twice during the first half to warn the away fans about their behaviour but ultimately did nothing. At around 30 minutes, the abuse escalated with the away fans pointing and shouting god-knows-what at the grandfather; this left the child in tears and the grandfather visibly shaking. Myself and another mild-mannered fan took objection to this and went to their aid - a couple of stewards came over and that was as far as it went, the whole verbal to-and-fro lasting about 15 seconds, max, and consisted of us telling them how pathetic they were for abusing a kid and an old man. It was literally the most non-event you could witness at the football. The stewards said nothing to me at the time and moved the kid and his grandad to the seats behind me, and I spoke to the kid before halftime to see if he was OK. I then went to the toilet at halftime (about 15 minutes after this happened) and was approached on the way back to my seat by a steward and SW police and ejected from the stadium for 'approaching the away fans'. I couldn't quite believe what was happening, I asked the stewards to review the footage to check they'd got the right person - apparently they did. Anyway, I wasn't allowed back in, for nothing more than standing up for a child and his elderly grandad. I phoned my Dad from outside the stadium and he in turn walked out in disgust and disbelief, initially believing I was having him on - nobody in the seats next to us would believe it either. So, cheers for the free pint this afternoon Swansea City, but after spending thousands of pounds watching you over the years and the untold hours - travelling the 400-mile round trip from Shropshire every home game - I've dedicated to watching the team, you will not have another penny or ounce of energy out of me. Positives: I missed the traffic. Well done to everyone who endured the 90, and if anyone has any contacts at the club who I can raise this with, it would be most appreciated. All the best Matt [Post edited 30 Dec 2019 0:22]
| | | | |
Gone Swan on 19:22 - Dec 29 with 2336 views | sainthelens |
Gone Swan on 19:07 - Dec 29 by Jackfath | Let them. Others will walk out in support. It’s how things change. Sitting and rolling eyes and tutting will change nothing. |
Listen, I get it. But it shouldn't be left to 'us' to sort their mess. I for one am not one to roll my eyes, I like many others have felt like 'clocking a few stewards ' and its us that'll get a ban. | | | |
Gone Swan on 19:29 - Dec 29 with 2305 views | Al_Bundy | Anybody who drove 400 miles today to watch this passionless turgent crap deserve an MBE not being evicted. | | | |
Gone Swan on 19:34 - Dec 29 with 2271 views | donnybackspin | Matt We sit not far from you are we were told off for shouting at the away fans, we could see the abuse the young kid was getting. The stewards are a joke in that part of the ground. Last match the stewards stopped two kids from sitting next to their friend and his Dad, despite the fact there were lots of empty seats. The stewards just said the other fans could turn up late, to which I informed them they are season ticket holder seats and they are away on holiday, they just said No. These incidents together with my lack of drinks voucher despite going through the turnstile at 2:29 has now made me consider giving up my season tickets for next year. We have 4 season tickets and whilst the yanks are in charge I am finding it hard to continue to believe. I have been going for over 30 years. I will probably just stick to odd games and regular away trips. | | | |
Gone Swan on 20:12 - Dec 29 with 2169 views | BillyChong |
Gone Swan on 19:34 - Dec 29 by donnybackspin | Matt We sit not far from you are we were told off for shouting at the away fans, we could see the abuse the young kid was getting. The stewards are a joke in that part of the ground. Last match the stewards stopped two kids from sitting next to their friend and his Dad, despite the fact there were lots of empty seats. The stewards just said the other fans could turn up late, to which I informed them they are season ticket holder seats and they are away on holiday, they just said No. These incidents together with my lack of drinks voucher despite going through the turnstile at 2:29 has now made me consider giving up my season tickets for next year. We have 4 season tickets and whilst the yanks are in charge I am finding it hard to continue to believe. I have been going for over 30 years. I will probably just stick to odd games and regular away trips. |
Same stewards who are constantly at fans to sit down when where’s a good few hundred people metres away standing for 90 minutes. | | | |
Gone Swan on 22:01 - Dec 29 with 2041 views | Vincent_Vega |
Gone Swan on 19:22 - Dec 29 by sainthelens | Listen, I get it. But it shouldn't be left to 'us' to sort their mess. I for one am not one to roll my eyes, I like many others have felt like 'clocking a few stewards ' and its us that'll get a ban. |
This. I think we called this on another thread that the stewards should be properly vetted and trained before taking the job on. I got to know one or two over the years and some do a great job but too many either don’t care or a unable to do their job. It’s not a nice job, I get it. I wouldn’t want to do it but if you’re going do it, do it properly. | |
| Boycott Shampoo......Demand Real Poo!!! |
| |
Gone Swan on 23:26 - Dec 29 with 1948 views | DJack |
Gone Swan on 18:35 - Dec 29 by Jackfath | Bollocks. The more that speak up the less crap like that will happen. |
I'm surprised that mart has down-arrowed you as you are bang on here Fathy. | |
| It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan |
| |
Gone Swan on 23:26 - Dec 29 with 1949 views | Glastonbury |
Gone Swan on 18:21 - Dec 29 by Jackfath | Good for you for speaking up. I admire you. |
Really ? That could have made situation 10 times worse. All he had to do was have quiet word with steward / police. Unfortunately it doesn't pay to get involved these days | | | |
Gone Swan on 23:27 - Dec 29 with 1948 views | Glastonbury | U shouldn't have got involved pal should have simply informed the stewards / police etc. | | | | Login to get fewer ads
Gone Swan on 23:29 - Dec 29 with 1943 views | DJack |
Gone Swan on 23:26 - Dec 29 by Glastonbury | Really ? That could have made situation 10 times worse. All he had to do was have quiet word with steward / police. Unfortunately it doesn't pay to get involved these days |
Did you not read the piece ...he asked the steward to review the "evidence" . | |
| It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan |
| |
Gone Swan on 23:52 - Dec 29 with 1895 views | Glastonbury |
Gone Swan on 23:29 - Dec 29 by DJack | Did you not read the piece ...he asked the steward to review the "evidence" . |
Yes mate I did. Did u ? Have another read he admitted going over and telling the away fans how pathetic they were . 15 seconds of telling them. So video evidence prob has him finger wagging telling them ' hey old chap do u realise how pathetic u r ? Bang to rights in my eyes. | | | |
Gone Swan on 00:10 - Dec 30 with 1853 views | DJack |
Gone Swan on 23:52 - Dec 29 by Glastonbury | Yes mate I did. Did u ? Have another read he admitted going over and telling the away fans how pathetic they were . 15 seconds of telling them. So video evidence prob has him finger wagging telling them ' hey old chap do u realise how pathetic u r ? Bang to rights in my eyes. |
FCK MY EYES YOU SANTIMONIOUS FOOL. Yep, he commited the crime of the century... How many games have you attended where fans have flicked the V's and not been ejected etc... Have a word. | |
| It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan |
| |
Gone Swan on 00:35 - Dec 30 with 1823 views | MJC | Cheers for the responses everyone, and thanks for the support. I've emailed the club.(Glastonbury - the stewards twice came over and did nothing. Your choice if you're able to sit by and watch a kid reduced to tears by adults. I went to help the kid, not start a fight). Edited original post as I'd written NE upper when in fact I've always sat in NW upper, where nothing much usually happens! I think donnybackspin who witnessed it must have already clocked my mistake. | | | |
Gone Swan on 00:39 - Dec 30 with 1814 views | TimTtam | Christ. In Australian sport we had a drama for just the 1 week where 'Behavioual Awareness Officers' were evicting the odd person for doing nothing wrong. The problem got sorted immediately. You've got them every week, of every year by the looks of it. And nothing can and will be done about it... | |
| |
Gone Swan on 01:51 - Dec 30 with 1764 views | Chief | THE TRUST PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND UPDATE US ASAP PLEASE | |
| |
Gone Swan on 03:47 - Dec 30 with 1735 views | Jackfath |
Gone Swan on 23:26 - Dec 29 by Glastonbury | Really ? That could have made situation 10 times worse. All he had to do was have quiet word with steward / police. Unfortunately it doesn't pay to get involved these days |
OBEY! | |
| |
Gone Swan on 07:04 - Dec 30 with 1674 views | Glastonbury |
Gone Swan on 00:35 - Dec 30 by MJC | Cheers for the responses everyone, and thanks for the support. I've emailed the club.(Glastonbury - the stewards twice came over and did nothing. Your choice if you're able to sit by and watch a kid reduced to tears by adults. I went to help the kid, not start a fight). Edited original post as I'd written NE upper when in fact I've always sat in NW upper, where nothing much usually happens! I think donnybackspin who witnessed it must have already clocked my mistake. |
Ur intentions mean well I'm sure why was grandad sitting next to the away fans with his grandson ? Im.sure swans have a family stand. I've sat there many times over the years and I wouldn't take my 10 year old daughter there. | | | |
Gone Swan on 07:10 - Dec 30 with 1671 views | Glastonbury |
Gone Swan on 00:10 - Dec 30 by DJack | FCK MY EYES YOU SANTIMONIOUS FOOL. Yep, he commited the crime of the century... How many games have you attended where fans have flicked the V's and not been ejected etc... Have a word. |
V sign ? There a little diff mate. E.g. Ur 50 yards away and u flick the V sign at me. Clearly nothing etc U come up to me a yard awash and start telling me how pathetic i am ? Diff outcome innit provocation ? U may have a knife ? U may be a loony bin whose misses just left him ? My point is His grandad could have moved them both if stewards wouldn't help. I would have moved to diff seats and told stewards why | | | |
Gone Swan on 10:13 - Dec 30 with 1567 views | Yossarian | For information I contacted a pal of mine on the Trust Board and this was brought to their attention last night. It was then raised by them with the Club last night. There is an investigation underway. | |
| "Yossarian- the very sight of the name made him shudder.There were so many esses in it. It just had to be subversive" (Catch 22) |
| |
Gone Swan on 10:22 - Dec 30 with 1545 views | Phil_S | We have picked up on this today and asked Stuart to raise with the relevant people in the club. He will be doing so today. To the OP - I have just dropped you a PM with some contact details | | | |
Gone Swan on 10:27 - Dec 30 with 1523 views | TimTtam |
Gone Swan on 10:22 - Dec 30 by Phil_S | We have picked up on this today and asked Stuart to raise with the relevant people in the club. He will be doing so today. To the OP - I have just dropped you a PM with some contact details |
Good stuff. | |
| |
Gone Swan on 10:29 - Dec 30 with 1514 views | Phil_S | Also worth adding here that having just checked emails as well, Jonathan wilsher from the club had emailed me last night asking to be put in touch with the OP. I have passed his details on | | | |
Gone Swan on 10:52 - Dec 30 with 1458 views | Dewi1jack |
Gone Swan on 07:04 - Dec 30 by Glastonbury | Ur intentions mean well I'm sure why was grandad sitting next to the away fans with his grandson ? Im.sure swans have a family stand. I've sat there many times over the years and I wouldn't take my 10 year old daughter there. |
Was the granddad a ST holder? I missed that bit somewhere. If he wasn't, does he get to pick his seat if he buys online? I know for the away games when we buy tickets, we sit where we're given. No choice Still think the stewards could of handled the situation better. Just move them. Diffuse the situation. Otherwise known as do the job that they are paid for. Thousands of empty seats and they eject someone trying to help. Was it that safestyle lot? Most of them are from Cardiff area We have normally tidy stewards in the East (section next to the NE). We get the occasional dickwad, but they're normally tidy. They do seem to put the dickwads in the NE/ NW by the away fans, from the amount of complaints on here over the years. My congratulations go to the OP for speaking out. Although, if I'd been the steward or dibble, I'd have made him stay to the bitter end and watch that sh1te as a punishment | |
| If you wake up breathing, thats a good start to your day and you'll make many thousands of people envious. |
| |
Gone Swan on 11:01 - Dec 30 with 1435 views | NotLoyal |
Gone Swan on 19:10 - Dec 29 by Swanjaxs | What about a disapproving glance? |
A thoughtful sigh helps. | |
| |
Gone Swan on 11:38 - Dec 30 with 1378 views | chad |
Gone Swan on 07:04 - Dec 30 by Glastonbury | Ur intentions mean well I'm sure why was grandad sitting next to the away fans with his grandson ? Im.sure swans have a family stand. I've sat there many times over the years and I wouldn't take my 10 year old daughter there. |
Whilst the club sees fit to sell tickets for children in the west corner of the north stand they have a duty of care to ensure any abuse (most especially of a targeted and continuous nature and involving children) is dealt with. Unless beyond supporting our own team, they were particularly doing anything to goad the opposition supporters, then they are the victims and should be protected. It appears, as reported here, that despite being fully aware of the situation, the stewards / police were not doing that. It is a matter of pride that there are people like the OP that will stand up for others. I am only sorry not to have been there to help. As others have said, if as described this is entirely unacceptable, the OP deserves a full and public apology and thanks for attempting to protect the child and his grandad, and they and the OP deserve some reward as a small recompense for the treatment they as customers were allowed to suffer. Good to see the Trust being rapidly involved and investigating. Hope we ensure this is fully, fairly and properly dealt with by the Club | | | |
Gone Swan on 12:24 - Dec 30 with 1315 views | Pegojack |
Gone Swan on 10:29 - Dec 30 by Phil_S | Also worth adding here that having just checked emails as well, Jonathan wilsher from the club had emailed me last night asking to be put in touch with the OP. I have passed his details on |
Well done, Phil. Please tell the club a few season ticket renewals will depend on the outcome. | | | |
| |