"Chaos" at Craven Cottage last night

[kermode]

Sounds like it could have potentially ended disastrously. Thankfully, it didn't. Still, atrocious organisation by the sounds of it.

http://headersandvolleys.co.uk/2011/...t-the-cottage/

http://benjilanyado.wordpress.com/20...-to-fulham-fc/

Fulham's response: typically trying to shift the blame onto fans.


http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...t-our-fault.do

[Waxon]

And

http://jungledrumsonline.com/article...-v-ghana-game/

[Stevie Freestein II]

Didn't know this:

But apart from the one star performance, it was the public that put on an incredible display, chanting, singing and screaming, transforming the cold night into an amazing party atmosphere. It helps that London houses almost 200,000 people from Ghana and, by some estimates, 100,000 Brazilians.

[SurreyMackem]

Sounds bad but fortuntely you very rarely have major problems outside the ground as there are no penned areas where people can get crushed so the crowd will naturally spill out.

This sort of thing was fairly normal at Roker Park, queuing for the tunstiles, for a big night game. It wasn't pleasant but the only injuries I can recall was when some gates collapsed.

[Empire]

Playing devil's advocate. How difficult is it to queue at the right place and then upon discovering a potential problem head to ticket enquires and request replacement tickets. Why all the pushing and shoving outside the T/O? Why all the pushing and shoving upon entry to the ground? Cannit ever remember having problems moving around in a responsible manner with 47k fans at the SOL so what was the problem last night? Sounds like sheer worry of missing kick off caused folk to panic and turn the whole thing into a free-for-all. What did the fans expect? Git massive signposts stating the obvious? "This stand is called the Putney end. Use your ticket to enter. Please don't push other people as this will cause a crush".

Or am I missing something?

[Andy.SAFC]

Originally Posted by Empire

Playing devil's advocate. How difficult is it to queue at the right place and then upon discovering a potential problem head to ticket enquires and request replacement tickets. Why all the pushing and shoving outside the T/O? Why all the pushing and shoving upon entry to the ground? Cannit ever remember having problems moving around in a responsible manner with 47k fans at the SOL so what was the problem last night? Sounds like sheer worry of missing kick off caused folk to panic and turn the whole thing into a free-for-all. What did the fans expect? Git massive signposts stating the obvious? "This stand is called the Putney end. Use your ticket to enter. Please don't push other people as this will cause a crush".

Or am I missing something?

The fact there are coppers and stewards on almost every turnstile at the SoL and there was apparently a very sparse police presence at this game.

[sunderlandimp]

Shocking. The reports are very disturbing just glad no one got hurt. Cheaping out on safety is just plain wrong. Not enough staff and not enough measures in place. Ridiculous in this modern day and age. An embarrassment to english football.

Damages future World Cup bids when scenes like that get broadcast around the world.

[Fray Bentos]

Originally Posted by Andy.SAFC

The fact there are coppers and stewards on almost every turnstile at the SoL and there was apparently a very sparse police presence at this game.

I have used 6-8 different turnstiles in the North Stand since the card entry started and never seen a copper or steward outside the doorway or inside the booth.

Once through the turnstile there is a steward checking the light system above the two turnstiles but none before entry.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Andy.SAFC

The fact there are coppers and stewards on almost every turnstile at the SoL and there was apparently a very sparse police presence at this game.

Never seen a copper or steward anywhere near my turnstile. Been a season ticket holder for 7 years. Are you suggesting that the presence of one steward at each turnstile would have stopped the tools pushing and shoving to ensure they didn't miss kick off?

[kermode]

Originally Posted by Fray Bentos

I have used 6-8 different turnstiles in the North Stand since the card entry started and never seen a copper or steward outside the doorway or inside the booth.

Once through the turnstile there is a steward checking the light system above the two turnstiles but none before entry.

Huge difference, as pointed out in at least one of those pieces, between a night where there are season ticket holders and on a night when there are none.

Also, there's a massive difference between the SOL, a modern, purpose built stadium and old fashioned, city located, Craven Cottage.