Because it's to with safety concerns and we are not allowed to. We have in the past I know, but if there was a crush or incident now then we would be held responsible. I also think that 6000 away fans change the atmosphere at Oakwell - as we only got 2500 Hillsborough I think it's generous giving them 4000. They should charge £40 a head for away supporters too.
The point being made, is that it’s a fairly new stand. So it’s strange that it doesn’t meet evacuation times. The query was mainly if the times have been decreased over the past few years. Or whether it was designed incorrectly. Evacuation means all exit points are open - even the East side of the stand where it comes out into the carpark and East Stand home side more, which is normally closed during normal exit times.
Theres also the pitch in an emergency. I fail to see how the Owls and Blunts can fill their stands when they're so old and dilapidated with no emergency exit onto the pitch and an old fashioned winding staircase. I'm pretty sure the North Stand could be evacuated far more quickly than either of them
Since the leppings lane issue at swillsbro. The capacity has been reduced in their north stand due to escape routes. So the fowls cannot fill that stand.
With regard to point one, if the club didn't care how much money they could make from a large away following they wouldn't hike the price up so high. Surprised there is an issue with evacuation times considering it's a building with only 3 walls, but Dane should absolutely listen to safety advice and follow it, no problem there.
The thing is though Steve bailey personally told me the reasons and evacuation wasn't one of them. How has the evacuation problem suddenly appeared when we were already self reducing the capacity? Needs to be a full and public explanation in my opinion. Wednesday have kicked off big time at the safety group and council and look to be winning. We are on our back having our belly tickled
the North stand was a huge mistake IMHO. They should have made it with half that capacity and then put up a new west stand.
Reasons our safety officer told me for reduced away end capacity. Seats 2 each side of a gangway and front two rows of stand: poor record of fans standing in aisles and at front of stand plus fans moving when goals are scored (is running to the front or to pitch side) Block near East stand: history of violence between home and away fans for example the Leeds sky game a few years ago. Block near tunnel: History of trouble with fans near players tunnel abusing players. Back few rows: The club gets complaints from fans that it's a restricted view so it's not worth the hassle of selling them. As you can see the biggest factor is our inability to deal with trouble. ie poor stewarding. With to top it off a want for an easy life so deciding not to sell large amounts of seats. What confuses me is that these were the reasons explained at length to me so where has the evacuation reason come from? The design of the stand certainly hasn't changed and there is a set calculation for the capacity limited by evacuation times. Anyone know how many exit gates there are in the stand?
This is one thing I cannot come to terms with ... why is it the clubs fault? All clubs will be told the amount of security required per game, in the terms of Stewards/Police/ and even first aid probably. So if the club then goes and hires a security/ steward company and agree a fee fee for police and medical support then how can they be responsible. If they have met the requirement then surely the failing is with the Stewarding company the Police and the emergency services .... I just cannot see it in any other way.
You fail to understand the concept of delegation then. “Delegation is the assignment of any authority to another person (normally from a manager to a subordinate) to carry out specific activities. It is one of the core concepts of management leadership. However, the person who delegated the work remains accountable for the outcome of the delegated work”
The question has to be asked though - do we have the worst stewards in the EFL because I dont know of any other ground that for example doesnt allow sitting in aisle seats - the same fans that stand at Oakwell presumably sit like angels at every other away game do they
I meant us as fans. Im sure the owners care but obviously not enough to do whats required to challenge the capacity.
I remember you stating these a few years ago. I’ll add that I think the Safety Officer also said our lack of experience for stewards doesn’t help either. It holds around 6,200. Surely 900 seats covers the issues above? So even 5,300 would seem ok?
Thanks for the explanation. But it does make us sound so small time as to be frankly ridiculous. I’d say pathetic but the reduction is worse than that description. I’d like to see us aspire to become pathetic. That would be an improvement on the present position.
may be a tad over the top, but if all fans could behave themselves at matches and the surrounding area then it could be a bigger crowd and a 3pm k/o? daft idea i know
The 1.30 thing is another joke, the last few Sheffield derby games have been on Friday & Monday nights! I'm glad it isn't 12/12.30, but 1.30 just seems stupid.....just leave it at 3!! People still act stupid if it's a Sunday dinner time like Leeds this season! Don't spoil it for 95% of the fans who can behave!
The thing is as our "new stand" it is 20 years old. Surely there were safety tests to.pass back then. Another design fault at Oakwell is access to and from the stadium itself and one massive error is no road access from the east and/or north stand to Pontefact Road.
