THST worked with the Football Supporters Federation after problems before the League Cup quarter-final with Newcastle United led to serious crushing outside the away end. We advised members that we were working on this case in a previous update. We’re pleased to say that discussions with THFC were productive, with the club implementing improved procedures to help away fans get into White Hart Lane and issuing an apology to the fans who were affected on the night.
There’s a news story on the FSF website which gives a more detailed explanation, and THST would like to thank the FSF for its help in securing a satisfactory conclusion. THST put forward a number of suggestions that contributed to the final agreement, including improving audible communications outside the ground. This is a point we have raised before, after away fans contacted us saying the PA announcements could not always be heard. We’re glad the club has now addressed this. THFC has also improved lighting, signage and queue management outside the ground, steps we welcome.
We will continue to work on a number of other issues arising from this incident. In particular, the need for a better working relationship between stewards and police, and a rethink of the policy of ‘containment’ adopted by police and stewards which we believe is not appropriate and which contributed to the crushing some fans experienced on the night. Through our work with the club’s police and safety committee and, hopefully, increased input into the Safety Advisory Group, we will also seek greater clarity on how responsibilities are divided between police and stewards during such incidents.
We’re pleased THFC acknowledged issues with some of the tone and content of its initial responses to NUFC fans who contacted it with complaints. The apology issued by the club to those fans who experienced problems, together with the implementation of the improvements mentioned above, demonstrates a genuine commitment to working with supporter groups in this vital area.
We can now use this experience as an example, alongside the improvements secured by cooperation between fan groups and the authorities following problems at last year’s Merseyside derby at Anfield, in our ongoing efforts to ensure better treatment for all fans. In particular, we will be highlighting these positive benefits as we continue to press for a positive response from Chelsea FC after the significant problems Spurs fans experienced at Stamford Bridge in December.
We will continue to work on a number of other issues arising from this incident. In particular, the need for a better working relationship between stewards and police, and a rethink of the policy of ‘containment’ adopted by police and stewards which we believe is not appropriate and which contributed to the crushing some fans experienced on the night. Through our work with the club’s police and safety committee and, hopefully, increased input into the Safety Advisory Group, we will also seek greater clarity on how responsibilities are divided between police and stewards during such incidents.
We’re pleased THFC acknowledged issues with some of the tone and content of its initial responses to NUFC fans who contacted it with complaints. The apology issued by the club to those fans who experienced problems, together with the implementation of the improvements mentioned above, demonstrates a genuine commitment to working with supporter groups in this vital area.
We can now use this experience as an example, alongside the improvements secured by cooperation between fan groups and the authorities following problems at last year’s Merseyside derby at Anfield, in our ongoing efforts to ensure better treatment for all fans. In particular, we will be highlighting these positive benefits as we continue to press for a positive response from Chelsea FC after the significant problems Spurs fans experienced at Stamford Bridge in December.
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