When you invade something you inevitably damage or hurt it.
While 98% of fans are just on the pitch to celebrate you have the other 2% who are hell bent on damaging or hurting other opposing fans or employees of the opposition.
Pitch invasions are already against the law. The punishments need to be so severe that it stops people going on. Lifetime bans for just entering the pitch and imprisonment for anyone assaulting employees of clubs.
I love a pitch invasion, some of the most joyous experiences in my life have been dancing around on the pitch celebrating winning promotion or reaching a final.
But what has happened this week has been an absolute horror show. So I, and the vast majority of fans, are going to have to accept that we're not going to be able to do it anymore. They are going to have to say if you go on the pitch, you're getting banned. No exceptions.
It's sad, but it's certainly a better option than bringing back fences. The Billy Sharp one was just horrific. He could have killed him. Came from his blindside and headbutted him in the side of the head. It was absolutely appalling.
I remember running onto the pitch at Altrincham, trying to find a Wycombe player to celebrate with. Unfortunately I was too slow off the mark, but whilst running around the pitch in delight, I came across Paul Showler, diminutive Alty and England Semi-Pro international right winger, looking shagged and well pissed off. I patted him on the back, shook his hand and told him he had had a great game. I don't necessarily think it improved his mood, but it seemed like the right thing to do 'in the moment'. I don't recall any fan from either side looking for a scrap that afternoon.
I'm not saying our law-flouting government have turned people into dickheads, but they have empowered the dickheads that already existed. These incidents are a reflection of our rapidly declining society.
Admittedly I am an old(er) git looking down from my high horse, but I do think behaviour has deteriorated since the return from Covid even at our level. Even we have had one pitch invader this season...which is not the norm for AP. I know it is a small number of numbnuts, but you only need one to seriously injure, disable or accidentally kill a player, manager or fellow fan (which even those most critical of pearl clutching over-reaction have to admit could have happened to Billy Sharp) and we will all be paying for it. Football fans forget most people at worst think we are nothing but trouble and at best could not give a toss about us...which is why they penned us in for so long in the first place! At best, there will inevitably have to be points deductions and playing in empty stadiums at some point.
They've got to put blanket deterrent in place - something like, idk, invading the pitch in any context = automatic one-year ban (then more severe punishment if you do it again). Would be a shame if people weren't able to run onto the pitch in celebration at the end of the season, but things have clearly got beyond ridiculous and players and other staff are under threat at their place of work.
Clubs would never vote for it, but something like playing the next home game at a neutral venue or away from home, limiting the number of season tickets you can sell, forfeiting cup prize money or tv money. Something has to change.
From my perspective, this is the worst I've felt at Adams Park for a long time. Perhaps that is due to being older and now having a teenage son, so we may now be more of a "target" as he is no longer a small child.
Oxford and MK both brought big followings in the league matches with large Police presence but I also witnessed their "special fans" getting their police escorts into the ground. MK was particularly uncomfortable.
We have our own set as well but seeing them most away games you know who to avoid etc, etc.
There is a definite change in mood post covid. There are some very angry people out there but there are also some people who just don't think the rules apply to them. This seems to be more prevalent since covid but this could just be because we didn't talk to anyone for 2 years!
There's no silver bullet on the pitch invasions. Points deductions maybe is the only big deterrent. Do you think people would wait for the ref and players to leave the pitch before surging on?
Colin Murray got it right I think when he was hinting at the two grams, people doing any old garbage for laughs to gloat on Instagram or other social media and some folk sticking stuff up there noses or downing more than they can handle. I've got no issue with people getting tanked up and making tits of themselves but this stuff is crossing lines.
Wembley have devices to stop pitch invasions, basically net covered boxes that slow you down if not make it impossible, can see them becoming a wider thing where space allows.
Not saying they are all nice people but you have to remember with them as an organisation that it's harder to fix a problem you have a lot of than it is to talk tough about something that doesn't really happen where you are.
I agree that the standard of behaviour at most grounds has got steady worse since COVID. I believe that this is due to a lack of training / education of the stewards at the grounds. Just look at what happened at Euro 2020 to prove a point, very little control or leadership could have put the whole game are risk of another major event.
Some of the trends seems to stem from the lack of understanding over the term "banter" when the line is crossed over into Abuse. (Example, The chanting towards Bayo) There seems to be very little respect between some members of the "fans" towards the opposition, no matter who they are.
I attended irregularly in the 1970s and early 1980s as I was a lad and it was running battles and dart in the face time...my Dad was not that bothered about footy and my mother was convinced I would be beaten to death so depended on finding people to go with who were not going to get involved in the bother . By the time I was 16, punk had arrived (not without its own dangers) and my money went on records and guitars and that. Saw more games from 1983 onwards when I was at Uni in Manc land (away at Man City and Old Trafford) and then working and in London. I am a drinker but not a fighter so I was always worried about accidentally getting into situations I could not get out of! I found football far more to my liking in the 1990s...(except at a couple of Chelsea and West 'Am games) and then of course when I moved to the tranquility of the Thames Valley...
Comments
It's all in the name "Invasion"
When you invade something you inevitably damage or hurt it.
While 98% of fans are just on the pitch to celebrate you have the other 2% who are hell bent on damaging or hurting other opposing fans or employees of the opposition.
Pitch invasions are already against the law. The punishments need to be so severe that it stops people going on. Lifetime bans for just entering the pitch and imprisonment for anyone assaulting employees of clubs.
I thought they did 🤔
I love a pitch invasion, some of the most joyous experiences in my life have been dancing around on the pitch celebrating winning promotion or reaching a final.
But what has happened this week has been an absolute horror show. So I, and the vast majority of fans, are going to have to accept that we're not going to be able to do it anymore. They are going to have to say if you go on the pitch, you're getting banned. No exceptions.
It's sad, but it's certainly a better option than bringing back fences. The Billy Sharp one was just horrific. He could have killed him. Came from his blindside and headbutted him in the side of the head. It was absolutely appalling.
Apparently not, looks like they're supposed to but some kind of bug.
I remember running onto the pitch at Altrincham, trying to find a Wycombe player to celebrate with. Unfortunately I was too slow off the mark, but whilst running around the pitch in delight, I came across Paul Showler, diminutive Alty and England Semi-Pro international right winger, looking shagged and well pissed off. I patted him on the back, shook his hand and told him he had had a great game. I don't necessarily think it improved his mood, but it seemed like the right thing to do 'in the moment'. I don't recall any fan from either side looking for a scrap that afternoon.
I'm not saying our law-flouting government have turned people into dickheads, but they have empowered the dickheads that already existed. These incidents are a reflection of our rapidly declining society.
Glad this has been dealt with quickly. What is this prat thinking when he runs through Billy Sharp? Season ticket holder as well. 😔
Everyone always thinks standards of behaviour are declining and it’s very rarely true.
Not defending this government btw.
It certainly is at football - the data backs that up
Admittedly I am an old(er) git looking down from my high horse, but I do think behaviour has deteriorated since the return from Covid even at our level. Even we have had one pitch invader this season...which is not the norm for AP. I know it is a small number of numbnuts, but you only need one to seriously injure, disable or accidentally kill a player, manager or fellow fan (which even those most critical of pearl clutching over-reaction have to admit could have happened to Billy Sharp) and we will all be paying for it. Football fans forget most people at worst think we are nothing but trouble and at best could not give a toss about us...which is why they penned us in for so long in the first place! At best, there will inevitably have to be points deductions and playing in empty stadiums at some point.
If anything, I think the attack on Billy Sharp has been played down. What that bloke did was so dangerous it's untrue.
He's very very lucky that Sharp seems to have suffered only minor injuries
They've got to put blanket deterrent in place - something like, idk, invading the pitch in any context = automatic one-year ban (then more severe punishment if you do it again). Would be a shame if people weren't able to run onto the pitch in celebration at the end of the season, but things have clearly got beyond ridiculous and players and other staff are under threat at their place of work.
Clubs would never vote for it, but something like playing the next home game at a neutral venue or away from home, limiting the number of season tickets you can sell, forfeiting cup prize money or tv money. Something has to change.
From my perspective, this is the worst I've felt at Adams Park for a long time. Perhaps that is due to being older and now having a teenage son, so we may now be more of a "target" as he is no longer a small child.
Oxford and MK both brought big followings in the league matches with large Police presence but I also witnessed their "special fans" getting their police escorts into the ground. MK was particularly uncomfortable.
We have our own set as well but seeing them most away games you know who to avoid etc, etc.
There is a definite change in mood post covid. There are some very angry people out there but there are also some people who just don't think the rules apply to them. This seems to be more prevalent since covid but this could just be because we didn't talk to anyone for 2 years!
There's no silver bullet on the pitch invasions. Points deductions maybe is the only big deterrent. Do you think people would wait for the ref and players to leave the pitch before surging on?
There is less racism, sexism and homophobia at football than there has ever been.
It’s not socially acceptable any more.
Look at the number of arrests (and those things are still at disgustingly high levels - plus how much of it goes unreported?)
https://twitter.com/frankie_efc/status/1527412786032168968
Colin Murray got it right I think when he was hinting at the two grams, people doing any old garbage for laughs to gloat on Instagram or other social media and some folk sticking stuff up there noses or downing more than they can handle. I've got no issue with people getting tanked up and making tits of themselves but this stuff is crossing lines.
Wembley have devices to stop pitch invasions, basically net covered boxes that slow you down if not make it impossible, can see them becoming a wider thing where space allows.
@StrongestTeam I've only seen one 'proper' pitch invasion at Wembley and that was - quelle surprise - Millwall
Have a look for tartan army 1977 on YouTube
Not saying they are all nice people but you have to remember with them as an organisation that it's harder to fix a problem you have a lot of than it is to talk tough about something that doesn't really happen where you are.
New Wembley, that is! But didn't the old one have a dog track and several fences to negotiate before you even got anywhere near the pitch?
At the old one you couldn't even see the pitch from most of it
1923 was a bit of a showstopper...
@Wendoverman just out of interest did you regularly attend football in the 80s and 90s or before? I think you said you went to Forest a lot?
I agree that the standard of behaviour at most grounds has got steady worse since COVID. I believe that this is due to a lack of training / education of the stewards at the grounds. Just look at what happened at Euro 2020 to prove a point, very little control or leadership could have put the whole game are risk of another major event.
Some of the trends seems to stem from the lack of understanding over the term "banter" when the line is crossed over into Abuse. (Example, The chanting towards Bayo) There seems to be very little respect between some members of the "fans" towards the opposition, no matter who they are.
A good read on worsening fan behaviour (how long has John Mousinho been PFA chairman?) https://theathletic.com/3321893/2022/05/19/pitch-invasions-efl-matter-time-seriously-hurt/
I attended irregularly in the 1970s and early 1980s as I was a lad and it was running battles and dart in the face time...my Dad was not that bothered about footy and my mother was convinced I would be beaten to death so depended on finding people to go with who were not going to get involved in the bother . By the time I was 16, punk had arrived (not without its own dangers) and my money went on records and guitars and that. Saw more games from 1983 onwards when I was at Uni in Manc land (away at Man City and Old Trafford) and then working and in London. I am a drinker but not a fighter so I was always worried about accidentally getting into situations I could not get out of! I found football far more to my liking in the 1990s...(except at a couple of Chelsea and West 'Am games) and then of course when I moved to the tranquility of the Thames Valley...
About a year now
I would love to see sprinter stewards with football boots https://twitter.com/MikeKeegan_DM/status/1527684591485689856?t=3NJK9dDB9PpJ0YpyFG1HZw&s=19