Travel club and Canton stand review meeting

Travel club and Canton stand review meeting

This is not a verbatim account but my attempt at keeping you all in the loop to the best of my ability...if I made errors others who attended will point them out but I hope this is useful to our fans.


Simon Insole who has served thirty years in the police service and over 10 on the policing unit attended his last travel club meeting last night. Due to GB policing cuts Simon has been made redundant along with thousands of other officers throughout the UK...He has land a temporary appointment for the next 12months at the Olympic games and there is a real hope that he can be part of the Cardiff City security team in the future.
I know some fans will have gripes about Simon and police in general but in my opinion Simon has been the best officer to police our fans during the last decade, and he can be proud his achievements alongside the supporters in improving the reputation of our club during his time here...I class Simon has a friend and will keep in touch and hope to work with him again in the future...good luck Potato head.

So we come to West Ham and Dave Sugarman has described eloquently the situation there and I will copy that here
West Ham's match commander and thier Safety Adivisory Group are insisting on a full bubble trip for all Cardiff fans attending this fixture. This would involve all supporters travelling on official coaches, meeting the police at South Mimms services and then being escorted from there to Upton Park. Independent travel would not be permitted and exiles would also have to comply with the bubble restrictions. The ticket allocation would be 1,250.

This decision was reached by the West Ham officials without any consultation with their Cardiff counterparts or with the South Wales Police.

West Ham have stated in writing that the alternative to a bubble trip is an outright ban on Cardiff fans.

Cardiff City Football Club officials have refused to accept full bubble trip restrictions. Instead, they have proposed a voucher exchange at South Mimms services, with fans being allowed to travel to London independently if they so desire. The club has also requested that approved exiled fans be allowed to go straight to the game instead of the services.

West Ham's match commander has written to CCFC today and confirmed that their stance has not changed.

CCFC has the support of the South Wales Police, whose Chief Superintendent has written to his West Ham counterpart on the club's behalf. The Football League are also writing to West Ham, while other match commanders in the Met Police area are said to be lending their support.

If the game does become a voucher exchange instead of a full bubble trip, Ambassadors and season ticket holders who went to six or more away league games last season will initially qualify for tickets.

If the West Ham match commander and SAG do not relax their current position, Cardiff fans will be banned from this fixture.

The club's Travel Group, which includes representatives of the Supporters' Club and a number of independent coach operators, voted this evening in support of the club's stance as regards this game.

It's such a shame that the meetings I used to attend with the police over 10 years ago about Bubble trips (to Stoke at the time) are still on the agenda now and the two experienced police officers in the room both agreed they were no longer needed apart from Swansea games which they insist require a Bubble at the present time.

Oxford United was next on the agenda and there are no restrictions there, we have an initial allocation of 500 tickets...that will rise to up to 3,000 if demand is there...tickets will be cheaper if bought in advance of match day...prices will be on official site.

Burnley...no problems anticipated for this game and the same was said about Blackpool where there is still a 3 pm Saturday kick off.

FINALLY Portsmouth was brought up and the police have assured us that mistakes made last year will be addressed....we were let down badly by the poor policing and people got injured and others arrested...lessons have been learnt we are told...let's hope it's a good trip, no restrictions are in place.

Following the meeting the travel club members were invited to join fellow City fans who had too part in the Canton stand customer survey...a room with approximately 25 City fans, was addressed by Julian Jenkins, he was assisted by Wayne Nash, a lady from the Compass caterers, Mona from the ticket office and her assistant, Wayne Nash, ALI, Wayne Crichton, and our CEO Gethin Jones.

On a side note myself and Vince attended the FSF Conference last week and a presentation was made about best practice in customer service by a company from Sunderland, Cardiff City football club was the model used as the example during that presentation based on our Family club of the year award and reasons why we won.

Last night was also an example of how far our club has come over the years...Vince made a comment that on return to Ninian at the start of a new season it would be nice to see a bit of fresh paint around the place...that was the heights of our expectations in those days, But the presentation Julian then put to the fans was light years ahead of the old days and we were all very impressed to be honest

I did not make any notes and do not want to make errors in my description of the presentation because it was first class and very encouraging that it is happening at our club....I will summarise it as best as I can though. Please remember this was a survey carried out and concluded based on the answers given by over 250 Canton stand users including non-season ticket holders.

Catering
Too expensive
Not enough vegetarian choice
Queuing system not good enough
Not enough outlets
Nowhere to sit to eat and drink products
Variety of products on sale

All the above was discussed and various results came back from the survey, the girl from Compass took a bit of stick especially with the prices issues and most of the excuses or reasons surrounded the huge advance of monies to build the stadium from Compass and the brewery, hence that had to be paid back through catering profits...but she took on board many recommendations and will go back to her boss to discuss them...including happy hours, queuing issues, variety of food etc.


Seating was discussed and Wayne Nash the rules and guidelines about tables and chairs in concourse areas but also agreed that something had to be done...there will be more seating added to the walls around the concourses...this will happen throughout the season.

Club shop

This had a varying degree of good and bad comments from fans with the majority unhappy or not totally satisfied...this was all taken very seriously by the club and they have already made changes and will continue to listen to the fans concerns and ideas to improve further...a new line of Retro shirts was displayed and talk of new products was also mentioned.
Team kits will be in stock before start of season...printing machines are to increase capacity to print numbers and names.
Atmosphere.

The club believe this has to be fan lead but are very willing to assist in any way they can...they want to see the Canton stand a sea of flags, banners etc...leading the singing and chanting to encourage the other three sides of the stadium to reciprocate. Stewards are most definitely more tolerable in this area and some suggestions included having fans at each end of the stand start of the chanting...get the left to challenge the right etc...maybe drums, anything really that will keep the atmosphere going...all ideas will be considered even getting up to 500 fans down the club on the terrace chanting ten of our favourite match day chants...they can be replayed over the big screen before games etc....some ideas do sound cheesy on paper but the idea is to generate a great atmosphere.

The Canton stands experience.

The club are trying to ensure that three quarters of the stadium can sit comfortably throughout the game to watch matches...they therefore have encouraged likeminded fans who Predominantly prefer to stand during periods of the game to congregate in the Canton stand...many hundreds have already transferred there from other areas this season. Persistent standing is against the law in UK stadia in the top two levels but the club have come to the conclusion that this is a customer service issue rather than a safety issue, that is based on SAG (Safety advisory group) and evidence from all league clubs and they have risk assessed the Canton stand area as safe, but that still has to be under the guidelines of fans not standing for the full 90 minutes...but the club will not be zero tolerance in the Canton...HOWEVER...they will be zero tolerance in all other parts of the stadium and fans who fail to comply face seeing their season ticket card deactivated and they then have to appear in front of the club to get it back, if they put their view across successfully they will get another chance and the option to move seats.

Before games in the Canton Concourses


A stage is being erected in the concourse and we should see live bands playing pre match probably 2 hours before kick-off ( they will have to play music to suit the masses but will be allowed to play one or original tracks) following that we hope to see a new and old player addressing the fans from the stage pre match...a question and answer session...all geared to make the pre match experience more enjoyable in that area of the stadium...for those thinking they are missing out, a survey will soon take place in the Grand stands and Ninian stands so you will have your chance then

I hope I have done the presentation justice there was even more to it but I have done the best off the top of my head...I suggested at the end that it was great that us 25 fans seen this but could the club show these ideas to a greater fan base and to my surprise they are already planning just that, but better still Malky Mackay will also be taking part in the road shows the first of which should be in the Pontypridd area soon catering for up to 250 fans...Bridgend, Blackwood, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff and other areas will also be considered over time and it is hoped the message will get to thousands of fans that the club are willing to listen to the fans and any ideas they have to improve the match day experience.

Well done to the club for doing this, they really are leading the field in communicating with supporters.

good info thanks corky mate.

shame about potato head he was always the copper that i found fairest and he kept me out of trouble / a kick in a few times and that was simply just by treating city fans with respect and having a laugh with them instead of being aggressive and forceful which more police need to learn to do.
goood to see the club are getting more involved with match day experience for the fans and helping to improve the atmosphere all round.

Fantastic to see our club dragging itself into the 21st century we have at last a management team that wants to listen to the fans and push us forward

Thanks corky

Cheers for this Corky. I know how difficult it is to do a report like this without notes. you only have to look at my match reports to see what I missed.

I just want to comment on the atmosphere the club is tryingot generate and the way they are going about it. Sorry but I just dont think it will work, that is getting the Canton Stand to encourage the other 3 stands. With a full Canton stand in swing if is difficult to hear it from the Ninian, Grandstand and specially the family stand. This is all down to the acoustics of the ground and not the effort put in by the Canton fans. Unlike Ninian Park where a group in the Grangend could quite easily be heard in the Grandstand and even the old Canton Stand CCS is a different kettle of fish due to mainly it is a larger staduim and the bowl effect actually traps a sound more than let it travel. Have you ever seen a Youtube clip of someone recording the play off penalty kicks against Leicester. With 2,600 Leicester fans in the away end and a silent home crowd, when Leicester scored their penalties you could hardly hear them cheer. I was actually sat next to the away lot and I cant really say they defeaned me. Thats nothing ot do with their support but the way the stadium is, I just cant see this singing Canton stand experiment working.

You need a singing section in the Ninian Stand without doubt.

one thing that gets me is how fans can have their season tickets deactivated for doing something that others are allowed to do if standing is against stadium regulations and they are willing to turn a blind eye then surely they are wrong to punish others doing the same other areas? i think fans in other parts of the ground should video the canton for future reference incase they get thrown out or banned..
on a better note its nice to see the club listening regarding other issues.

Jinks...we can't have it all ways mate...a compromise has been agreed...the alternative is...TOTAL ZERO TOLERANCE IN ALL AREAS....surely a compromise is better than that? On a club note the Canton has been risk assessed to allow intermediate standing and all fans are aware that fans may stand in that area...fans in the Ninian are aware that they can sit there unimpeded by fans standing infront of them.

Jinks...we can't have it all ways mate...a compromise has been agreed...the alternative is...TOTAL ZERO TOLERANCE IN ALL AREAS....surely a compromise is better than that?

we need singing all around the stadium but everywhere except the canton get stormtropper tactics off stewards.
one of the reasons the atmosphere is crap because fans are scared to sing or its easier just not to bother.
like i said how can fans from anywhere except the canton get banned or brought in front of the club for breaking rules and regulations or even breaking the law whilst others who are doing exactly the same in the canton are not breaking any rules/laws?
i cant see how that can happen thats all.

We do need singing all around the ground mate, but there are also ground regulations that are imposed on our club...its just an idea to try to improve things...it won't suit everyone.

We do need singing all around the ground mate, but there are also ground regulations that are imposed on our club...its just an idea to try to improve things...it won't suit everyone.

i know what your saying

It is an hard one to call, but at the end of the day people want different things from their football day out, at least the club are giving some choice which not all clubs do.

If some people buy a seat expecting to be able to use it and watch the game, it must piss them off if the person in front stands all game so they have to stand as well. The club have now provided an area where standing will be tolerated and if people who want to sit aren't happy then they can swap to an area where they can sit for all the game and likewise those that want to stand for all the game can stand if they wish, what neither party can do is expect to sit in an area where standing is allowed, or expect to stand where sitting is desired.

Those that intend opposing these rules will be highlighted on the CCTV and when they next turn up they will be blocked from entry.

What ever action the club take, they wont keep everyone happy all the time, but at least they are providing some options.

It is an hard one to call, but at the end of the day people want different things from their football day out, at least the club are giving some choice which not all clubs do.

If some people buy a seat expecting to be able to use it and watch the game, it must piss them off if the person in front stands all game so they have to stand as well. The club have now provided an area where standing will be tolerated and if people who want to sit aren't happy then they can swap to an area where they can sit for all the game and likewise those that want to stand for all the game can stand if they wish, what neither party can do is expect to sit in an area where standing is allowed, or expect to stand where sitting is desired.

Those that intend opposing these rules will be highlighted on the CCTV and when they next turn up they will be blocked from entry.

What ever action the club take, they wont keep everyone happy all the time, but at least they are providing some options.

gwyn i would love to stand and sing in the canton but it would cost me an extra 200 to 300 quid to go there.. i sometimes think the club exaggerate the standing issues as ive seen loads of other stadiums with more than one end standing im sure they dont get fined every other week

It is an hard one to call, but at the end of the day people want different things from their football day out, at least the club are giving some choice which not all clubs do.

If some people buy a seat expecting to be able to use it and watch the game, it must piss them off if the person in front stands all game so they have to stand as well. The club have now provided an area where standing will be tolerated and if people who want to sit aren't happy then they can swap to an area where they can sit for all the game and likewise those that want to stand for all the game can stand if they wish, what neither party can do is expect to sit in an area where standing is allowed, or expect to stand where sitting is desired.

Those that intend opposing these rules will be highlighted on the CCTV and when they next turn up they will be blocked from entry.

What ever action the club take, they wont keep everyone happy all the time, but at least they are providing some options.

gwyn i would love to stand and sing in the canton but it would cost me an extra 200 to 300 quid to go there.. i sometimes think the club exaggerate the standing issues as ive seen loads of other stadiums with more than one end standing im sure they dont get fined every other week

But if the people behind you want to sit and watch the game, what should they do, and what should the club do with the complaint they get from them.?

It is an hard one to call, but at the end of the day people want different things from their football day out, at least the club are giving some choice which not all clubs do.

If some people buy a seat expecting to be able to use it and watch the game, it must piss them off if the person in front stands all game so they have to stand as well. The club have now provided an area where standing will be tolerated and if people who want to sit aren't happy then they can swap to an area where they can sit for all the game and likewise those that want to stand for all the game can stand if they wish, what neither party can do is expect to sit in an area where standing is allowed, or expect to stand where sitting is desired.

Those that intend opposing these rules will be highlighted on the CCTV and when they next turn up they will be blocked from entry.

What ever action the club take, they wont keep everyone happy all the time, but at least they are providing some options.

gwyn i would love to stand and sing in the canton but it would cost me an extra 200 to 300 quid to go there.. i sometimes think the club exaggerate the standing issues as ive seen loads of other stadiums with more than one end standing im sure they dont get fined every other week

But if the people behind you want to sit and watch the game, what should they do, and what should the club do with the complaint they get from them.?

i understand that i dont want someone standing in front of me all game but in the family stand fans were getting warned for celebrating a goal for to long .. surely if they can turn a blind eye to rules/safety/laws in the canton they can atleast ease up on fans in other areas..

I'm a season ticket holder in the Ninian Stand and I will stand and sing for 90 minutes. I ignore what anyone says to me.

Fair play to you as well, but there is a good chance you may have to do it from outside the stadium at some time next year, a bit of a lottery who they pick on with the CCTV I should imagine they will do it bit by bit and cancel peoples tickets until the message gets through.

is standing at a stadium actually against the law? just wondering?

is standing at a stadium actually against the law? just wondering?

yes it is in the top 2 leagues Premiership and Championship, though you are allowed to stand during 'moments of excitement' ill let you decide what a 'moment of excitement' is as it confuses me, you could argue 90 minutes of football from kick-off to the final whistle is a 'moment of excitement'

Corky can we gwt MM to come to Maesteg, we are an established supporters club that has been in existance for 50yrs, and has 300 members ,we are the only supporters branch that take three coaches to home games, and have been trying for years to get get the manager and players to come to Maesteg all to no avail.

I would be most greatfull if I could be kept in the loop either throgh this message board or through EMail.
regards Steve

Its not up to me mate but I will definitely mention it to Julian...there is no set pattern or set out plans already made as far as I am aware mate...you would probably need a big hall holding about 250 people and that would fit the requirements...it really will be pot luck where they go but I know they want to try to visit a few places.

Its not up to me mate but I will definitely mention it to Julian...there is no set pattern or set out plans already made as far as I am aware mate...you would probably need a big hall holding about 250 people and that would fit the requirements...it really will be pot luck where they go but I know they want to try to visit a few places.

Corky when you said a HALL that holds 250 people.....didn't you mean that Maesteg is a HOLE...and surely it can house more than 250 people

it's tough to judge what a "moment of excitement" is. I sit in the part of the Canton where people tend to sit down more than stand. If we go on the counter attack, even in our own half I'm usually up and out of my seat straight away. The same is true when the away team go on a counter attack.

Anything other than boring half way line passing could probably be defined as moments of excitement.