Your Welfare and Positive Matchday Experience is Paramount
Dear Supporter,
Since we were kindly invited by the board to run the club on their behalf four weeks ago, we have spent a considerable time looking into all aspects of the club to ensure this club remains a friendly family community club.
From the beginning, we have made it clear that you, as supporters, are the lifeblood of this club. It is therefore paramount, from the moment you walk into the Victoria Ground, that your experience throughout is one of enjoyment in a non-threatening safe football environment.
I therefore wanted to ask your help, cooperation and understanding to support some initial measures we are taking to ensure this happens.
Abusive Language:
For those of you who attended the previous Halesowen match, you will be aware that a flare was thrown onto the pitch. This incident was reported to the FA by the referee, and it is possible the club could be punished as an outcome. We have identified the individual concerned through cctv and action will be taken accordingly.
However, this is not an isolated case, and several other incidents have been reported such as extremely abusive language, and aggressive behaviour towards visiting supporters and our own staff at the ground. Those involved it seems were part of the same young group of supporters as the individual who threw the flare.
Zero Tolerance:
Let me make it clear, this club has zero tolerance to this kind of behaviour. If we are to progress as a genuine family club, then we need to ensure everyone who attends the stadium feels safe and secure to watch the match in a non-threatening environment.
The club has already introduced a policy of under 16’s being accompanied by an adult. It is therefore the responsibility of the adult to ensure the wellbeing of the youngster(s) they bring with them, and we would ask you to kindly ensure this happens.
Action:
From here on, should any youngster be involved in this kind of behaviour, then they will be identified and barred from entering the stadium for the remainder of the season.
In partnership with the local Police, we are seeking to work in schools to highlight the benefits of positive behaviour at our games and the value this brings to the club. This is supported by our manager and all our playing staff.
We also intend introducing a junior id membership scheme similar to the one used by Halesowen, and will be working with other clubs to see how to make this operate. This I see as urgent, to ensure all young people have an opportunity to attend our matches in future.
Finally, please can I ask if you witness any threatening behaviour or abusive language, then please notify a steward immediately as then we can deal with it there and then. If action is not forthcoming, then please notify Phil Baker our director responsible for health and safety at the stadium.
We want your matchday experience to be something very special on and off the pitch. It’s early days but we will get there,
May I thank you so much for your very kind understanding and support in this matter.
Brian
Chairman
