Closing North Gate

FY4Representer said:
Maybe the club has a massive vendetta against you. Nobody else, just you.
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WTF are you on about.
It's a friendly everyone in a good mood from both sides and there's people climbing over barriers and walls to get moving even Sarah from the ticket office couldn't get in to work.
 
Last home game I attended? I waited nearly an hour outside the North to go get my car at Revoe. The irony? I was stood chatting to a Birmingham fan (and his family, all in their colours), and the gatekeeper wouldn't let them out either. I then drove the 320 miles home (which on average is around 6 hours). Was just hoping fora bit of common sense....
 
Pathetic today. Hibs fans all in the south stand. Most pool fans in north yet they lock the north gate and make all the north walk round to where all the hibs fans are with barriers. People forcing the barriers to get to where they wanna go. Absolute bloody madness. Hope they get this sorted for the season starting next Saturday
 
BFC4EVA said:
Pathetic today. Hibs fans all in the south stand. Most pool fans in north yet they lock the north gate and make all the north walk round to where all the hibs fans are with barriers. People forcing the barriers to get to where they wanna go. Absolute bloody madness. Hope they get this sorted for the season starting next Saturday
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What made it worse was blocking Bloomfield road with Police vans so no one was moving to get North of Central drive.
 
BFC4EVA said:
Like I said a complete and utter shambles again. When will BFC learn and get this right
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So it’s the clubs fault…..maybe just maybe they were under police instruction.
If as I am led to believe there were up to 2500 Hibs fans there ( or at least expected) then it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that the police would look to control things.Not saying the way they do it is right,plenty of experience of them not doing so,but it is their decision not the football clubs.
 
bleach51 said:
So it’s the clubs fault…..maybe just maybe they were under police instruction.
If as I am led to believe there were up to 2500 Hibs fans there ( or at least expected) then it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that the police would look to control things.Not saying the way they do it is right,plenty of experience of them not doing so,but it is their decision not the football clubs.
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But the Hibs fans were in the south stand so where’s the logic in closing those gates? 🤷‍♂️
 
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bleach51 said:
So it’s the clubs fault…..maybe just maybe they were under police instruction.
If as I am led to believe there were up to 2500 Hibs fans there ( or at least expected) then it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that the police would look to control things.Not saying the way they do it is right,plenty of experience of them not doing so,but it is their decision not the football clubs.
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Control things its a poxy friendly we had three times that many Rangers fans last season and we could all move about and get back to our cars.
Farce.
 
BFC4EVA said:
Like I said a complete and utter shambles again. When will BFC learn and get this right
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The police couldn't run a bath it seems, we've seen numerous examples of this at games in the past. The simple layout of Bloomfield road seems to completely baffle them.

Not sure the clubs input in this.
 
JJpool said:
The police couldn't run a bath it seems, we've seen numerous examples of this at games in the past. The simple layout of Bloomfield road seems to completely baffle them.

Not sure the clubs input in this.
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The police take responsibility outside of the ground as far as I know and that no doubt includes closing a gate or a road or restricting movement.
I agree however their ways of managing these things at Bloomfield Road does seem to be odd to say the least however( not necessary because of todays opponents because I doubt it actually affected things) the huge car parks being to the south and west of the ground have to present a major issue with away fans using them and how to manage this…..anyone in the South and West stands will know exactly what I mean.
 
We ended up walking round the side of the hotel through the carpark and into the Hibs fans on Bloomfield Road. Not well thought out what so ever.
 
The North Stand gate should be left open at all times, by closing it all the police are doing is pushing potential problems with home and away fans to Rigby Road instead which has zero police presence. It’s an accident waiting to happen, I’ve seen loads of instances which could have escalated over the years!! 😡
 
When the police 'guarded' the gate, I remember a night game. I took my lad who was about 7. It was packed going out towards Revoe. However, what didn't help was the copper on a police horse trying to force his way through the other way....
You couldn't make it up.
I politely asked why he couldn't do that before the end of the game.
His reply included an expletive, also pointing out I was in the wrong.
 
TangerineDan said:
The North Stand gate should be left open at all times, by closing it all the police are doing is pushing potential problems with home and away fans to Rigby Road instead which has zero police presence. It’s an accident waiting to happen, I’ve seen loads of instances which could have escalated over the years!! 😡
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I'm sure if and when it does it'll all be on our fans again.
 
SLO_BFC said:
Meeting to discuss early next week.
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I am a disabled supporter with mobility issues, I was stuck at that gate along with many others, I was told by a steward to either walk round or wait, ( my car was literally outside the locked gate) the stewards said it was orders from match command... An older chap looked late seventies, explained to the stewards his medication was in his car and he needed to take it, they were just not bothered.. absolutely poor from the club.
 
SLO_BFC said:
Meeting to discuss early next week.
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And no doubt another meeting when it happens again.

I'm not blaming you Steve, but the police need to use some common sense instead of treating ordinary people as potential criminals and creating flashpoints where there shouldn't be any. At this point, it's looking like that's their intention.
 
TheTangerineLegend said:
Genuine question, what do you actually say at these meetings?
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Obv nothing happens at these so called meetings if last season is anything to go by. Why on earth lock the north gate and send all the north fans round to Bloomfield rd where all the hibs fans are exiting to mix and match. Really is bloody ridiculous and needs sorting
 
SLO_BFC said:
Meeting to discuss early next week.
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That’s good news.

Who actually makes the decisions concerning the footprint and how fans are controlled? Is it the club or the police?

I think people find it easy to blame the police as they won’t get an answer, but I’m not sure it is always the case. Easy targets. Although in my experience (in the police), those at the top that are not at the ground, make some terrible decisions. The boots on the ground are told what to do, and as the police remains a disciplined organisation, especially when it comes to public order, they have to do what they’re told, even if it makes no sense.

I’ve tried approaching seniors management regarding the policing of football matches previously, and was told to leave the meeting before it started. They don’t care, which is a shame as it’s us fans and the bobbies that police regularly that know the issues!

Some fans don’t help, always looking for a scrap. Have a beer, a sing song, enjoy the match and move on.

UTP
 
Briggs5 said:
And no doubt another meeting when it happens again.

I'm not blaming you Steve, but the police need to use some common sense instead of treating ordinary people as potential criminals and creating flashpoints where there shouldn't be any. At this point, it's looking like that's their intention.
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Exactly when the tiny gate was eventually opened we were rubbing shoulders with Hibs fans who had been waiting to walk the other way
 
no9 said:
What’s the alternative.Can we not keep away supporters in the ground for 20 minutes or is that not allowed.
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Why should we I travel to away games and we all go out at the ground at the same time it makes us look like a right bunch hooligans if we have to keep back fans every game.

We've had no problems for years including the PL year now we're shutting a North gate and closing down access down Bloomfield road and until one of our fans decided to shift a barrier we where stuck and we're the bloody home fans!
 
poolseasider said:
Why should we I travel to away games and we all go out at the ground at the same time it makes us look like a right bunch hooligans if we have to keep back fans every game.

We've had no problems for years including the PL year now we're shutting a North gate and closing down access down Bloomfield road and until one of our fans decided to shift a barrier we where stuck and we're the bloody home fans!
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Totally agree, you should be able to leave any ground when you want and be able to walk alongside opposition supporters.

So what are the police/club worried about🤷🏿‍♂️
 
Surely the answer is to House away supporters in the North or North end of the East and allow them to use the readily available and often unused coach park to the North. That way they are gone on the road or into town for a tipple or two!

It baffles me why it’s made so difficult.

The parking is already there for coaches and thousands of cars!
 
Parky1953 said:
Surely the answer is to House away supporters in the North or North end of the East and allow them to use the readily available and often unused coach park to the North. That way they are gone on the road or into town for a tipple or two!

It baffles me why it’s made so difficult.

The parking is already there for coaches and thousands of cars!
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I'm not giving up my seat in the North.😁
North East has always been the better option but because of the poor North concourse the section of NE last season has been used as an outdoor bar to take the overflow.
Going to be interesting where aways go if we ever build a new East.
 
poolseasider said:
I'm not giving up my seat in the North.😁
North East has always been the better option but because of the poor North concourse the section of NE last season has been used as an outdoor bar to take the overflow.
Going to be interesting where aways go if we ever build a new East.
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If it was up to me, you’d have no choice 😉 I would of course offer free Hot Water Bottles to anyone that had to move South!

The Northern concourse is the reason I sit in the South. Hated it, especially when playing big games. May as well jus my pee your pants!

Moving people wouldn’t be ideal but it is definitely the only answer IMO. Be better once the East is sorted I guess.
 
Seasidetyler said:
I am a disabled supporter with mobility issues, I was stuck at that gate along with many others, I was told by a steward to either walk round or wait, ( my car was literally outside the locked gate) the stewards said it was orders from match command... An older chap looked late seventies, explained to the stewards his medication was in his car and he needed to take it, they were just not bothered.. absolutely poor from the club.
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Nothing to do with the club. All at the police's door.
 
Briggs5 said:
And no doubt another meeting when it happens again.

I'm not blaming you Steve, but the police need to use some common sense instead of treating ordinary people as potential criminals and creating flashpoints where there shouldn't be any. At this point, it's looking like that's their intention.
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My advice is tell the police you are about to start looting and do a few cars over whilst you are in the area. They won’t go near you and you can crack on with ripping the gate off its hinges.
 
I find it ridiculous locking the north gate It was never locked up until a few years ago. Really doesn’t need to be locked. People leaving the north would then disperse a lot quicker than having to walk round to BloomField rd and come face to face with away fans which I find crazy
 
Wizaard said:
Nothing to do with the club. All at the police's door.
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Police or club, someone is really not very good at there job, this is not a new situation, it's been happening regularly, and quite frankly, if it's the police, the club should be representing us and changing things.i parked there because we were in the nth stand today, and it was easier for me to walk to my car, there isn't a car in hell's chance I could walk all the way around, the car parks were all full so couldn't park there either..
 
Parky1953 said:
I may be wrong but I don’t think the gate will be. I’m sure that’s down to the club.

Hands up if I’m wrong but I think unless you know 100%, finger pointing and accusations are not helpful.

Maybe the SLO can assist?
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I was told by a fire steward match control ordered it. And he had to do what they tell him...
 
SLO_BFC said:
Meeting to discuss early next week.
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Glad to hear it! 👍🏻

A few common sense observations for the police to consider:

1) There are rarely any issues between home/away fans when the north gate is open pre-match so why should post match be any different?
2) Apart from Bolton and Fleetwood I am struggling to think of any other matches in League 1 where there would be potential issues with away fans - so that’s 21 home games minimum where the gate should be left open!
3) Why are the police concerned on one hand about mixing home/away fans at the NE corner where there is plenty of police presence, but on the other hand seem completely unconcerned when home/away fans are forced to mix on Rigby Road with absolutely NO police presence whatsoever? It beggars belief!!

Hopefully common sense prevails but I won’t hold my breath!!
 
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Happened all last season worse was night games. When no common sense was used and fans were forgotten about outside.
 
What about building a bridge from the South stand to Blackpool North train station, a bit costly I know but would help opposing fans not having to mix and be civil with each other.
 
I am not defending anybody but the explanation I received from a Police Officer when I asked how long the BR closure would last explained that the plan was to shepherd the Hib Fans down Bloomfield Rd and then onto Central Drive, hence the closure of the North Gate. He further explained that they had problems with Hibs fans throughout the day which led me to believe that this was a last minute plan to block BR . I do wonder why they didn't direct the Hibs fans through the East and allow access for Pool fans down BR.
 
TangerineDan said:
Glad to hear it! 👍🏻

A few common sense observations for the police to consider:

1) There are rarely any issues between home/away fans when the north gate is open pre-match so why should post match be any different?
2) Apart from Bolton and Fleetwood I am struggling to think of any other matches in League 1 where there would be potential issues with away fans - so that’s 21 home games minimum where the gate should be left open!
3) Why are the police concerned on one hand about mixing home/away fans at the NE corner where there is plenty of police presence, but on the other hand seem completely unconcerned when home/away fans are forced to mix on Rigby Road with absolutely NO police presence whatsoever? It beggars belief!!

Hopefully common sense prevails but I won’t hold my breath!!
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My thoughts exactly. I contacted the police match commander after one game last year where it kicked off on Rigby Rd and it was a very volatile situation. No police in sight. I eventually told some bobby's at the central drive junction who didn't look interested. The reply I got was that there should of been some police on Rigby Rd. I definitely didn't see any but there has also been other incidents on there that I have also seen. All this goes on whilst just wanting to get back to my car at Revoe. It needs sorting out.
 
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