League 2 news 2021/22

[IndoMike]

We had a bunch of stewards with a rope, hardly Fort Knox. No rope for the Barrow game, so were we inadequately prepared for that one? If an idiot wanted to get to the Barrow or Vale players at SJP they would have done, but thankfully our fan base is pretty sound.

No doubt there is a growing issue in football, but points deductions is a ludicrous idea. It wont stop p*ssed up day trippers doing something stupid for the big games. In the same way the loser with the mullet wouldn’t leave the pitch as SJP on the final day. Idiots will always be idiots.
Hefty bans and criminal charges for the individuals is the only way to stop idiots being idiots imo.

There will always be cowardly thugs who will take advantage of situations at football matches to throw punches at unsuspecting players.
We're far too soft on violent crime in the UK : there's no excuse for it. You can be in a pub, a thug can come up to you and
deck you without you even have the chance of defending yourself, he goes to court, we hear the usual sob story,
he swears it will never happen again (it will), the judge in tears of emotion sentences him to 100 hours community service
and a paltry fine, and the thug swaggers off into the distance laughing all the way until he does it again. Until we can find a way
to raise our children to behave in a non-aggressive and civilised way we need to have zero tolerance. Violent crime? :
5 years in jail with no probation.

 

[grecIAN Harris]

Swindon were poor going forward and lost because of it. McKirdy's head was all over the place and certainly not in the game. What happened at the end of the game to him was wrong but he didn't help himself during the game by rising to the bait thrown, literally at times, at him.

 

[IndoMike]

Swindon were poor going forward and lost because of it. McKirdy's head was all over the place and certainly not in the game. What happened at the end of the game to him was wrong but he didn't help himself during the game by rising to the bait thrown, literally at times, at him.

You were doing well until you got to the word "but". The attack was wrong : there are no "buts".

 

[eurogrecian]

We had a bunch of stewards with a rope, hardly Fort Knox. No rope for the Barrow game, so were we inadequately prepared for that one? If an idiot wanted to get to the Barrow or Vale players at SJP they would have done, but thankfully our fan base is pretty sound.
No doubt there is a growing issue in football, but points deductions is a ludicrous idea. It wont stop p*ssed up day trippers doing something stupid for the big games. In the same way the loser with the mullet wouldn’t leave the pitch as SJP on the final day. Idiots will always be idiots.
Hefty bans and criminal charges for the individuals is the only way to stop idiots being idiots imo.

The rope wasn't a bad idea, but there was only one at the Vale end, when there should have been one at both!
One idiot (as wide as he was tall) started to come on the pitch in front of the bank and after that the floodgates opened. When stuff started to be thrown at the Vale fans, I feared that it would all end badly. We were lucly.

End of season pitch invasions are part of football folklore but sadly there are too many idiots in society these days and therefore whatever we feel about them they are going to have to be stopped completely. I can't see a half-way house over this.

PS Sorry for Swindon. They've done really well this season considering where they started.

 

[older-codger]

Even before last night EFL had issued a statement:

EFL Statement: Crowd Behaviour
18 May 2022

66415 views
Unfortunately, at recent end-of season and Play-Off Semi-Final fixtures we have witnessed a number of unsavoury and unacceptable incidents take place with supporters entering the field of play.
These are currently under investigation by the relevant authorities and the EFL condemns in the strongest possible terms the reckless actions of individuals who have brought the game into disrepute with this unacceptable behaviour. The League is working closely with the Police and Clubs, offering its full support to the ongoing investigations.
Supporters are reminded that it is against the law to enter the pitch at any time and could result in a Club ban and criminal record. More importantly it puts the safety of players, coaches, managers and match officials at risk. It is vital that those playing the game can do so safe in the knowledge that they will not be subjected to violent, threatening or anti-social behaviour going forward.
Many people have already lost the privilege of watching their team via club bans this season and further punitive action will follow for those who continue to disregard ground regulations and break the law at football matches.
We recognise that this lawlessness is being conducted by a small minority of individuals and that the majority of people attending matches are a credit to their club. However, it is not acceptable for supporters to enter the field of play at any time given the EFL’s objective is to ensure our matches remain a safe and welcoming one for all. Therefore, over the summer we will consider what further measures are now at our disposal, including the potential use of capacity reductions or other similar mitigations.

• For Football's Sake: EFL launches campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour

Fans are also advised that the use of pyrotechnic devices inside a football stadium is a criminal offence that will potentially lead to police action, prosecution, and a ban from football.

Pyrotechnics and flares can burn at up to 2,500°C and can cause significant injuries to carriers and fellow spectators. We have also seen many incidents that have resulted in people experiencing burns, breathing difficulties, distress, and discomfort.
Whilst the issue of pitch incursions and the use of pyrotechnic devices are primarily matters that fall within the remit of the Police and Football Association, the EFL continues to work closely and collaboratively with all the relevant parties to address the broader issue of anti-social behaviour.

 

[DB9]

Can't understand what's happening, Normally an after match pitch invasion is good hearted and people just happy with the result, Not idiots looking to thump or kick an opposition player. Sad really.

 

[Alistair20000]

There will always be cowardly thugs who will take advantage of situations at football matches to throw punches at unsuspecting players.
We're far too soft on violent crime in the UK : there's no excuse for it. You can be in a pub, a thug can come up to you and
deck you without you even have the chance of defending yourself, he goes to court, we hear the usual sob story,
he swears it will never happen again (it will), the judge in tears of emotion sentences him to 100 hours community service
and a paltry fine, and the thug swaggers off into the distance laughing all the way until he does it again. Until we can find a way
to raise our children to behave in a non-aggressive and civilised way we need to have zero tolerance. Violent crime? :
5 years in jail with no probation.

Bleddy hell. The Friday rant is back


That said, a lot to agree with here. We need to be unrelentingly tough on violent crime.

 

[Alistair20000]

The only sure fire way of stopping pitch invasions is full security fencing. This may be forced on football if the sort of stuff we have seen this week continues.

 

[Hants_red]

Sledgehammers to crack a nut is a phrase that springs to mind at the moment.

 

[Boyo]

Insist that clubs have a plan in place to protect visiting players,like we did at SJP,and if they don’t give them a hefty fine or a points deduction for the following season,it’s not rocket science

As mentioned, we had a line of stewards and police with a rope that just about kept Exeter and Port Vale fans segregated. It didn't stop a few idiots from both sides lobbing bottles of water at each other though. The PV players were completely unprotected as far as I could see.

It is difficult to foresee what the solution is though. It's already a criminal offence to run onto the pitch, but clearly they won't ban thousands. As is often the case, the 1% of idiots are ruining it for the rest of us.