Ground Regulations for St Georges Lane

[The Verner]

Hi all,

It was noticed in recent meetings with local authorities that the clubs ground regulations were not published for spectators to view.

Upon looking for these from my predecessor it was actually found these were not documented.

Please find below the regulations, its mostly common sense and I think everyone knows the rules and always abide by them anyway.

These have been reviewed and authorised by the clubs board of directors.

GROUND REGULATIONS

Notice: Entry to the Ground is expressly subject to acceptance by the visitor of these Ground Regulations and the rules and regulations of, The Football Association, The Football League and The Football Conference in respect of the relevant competition. The Ground Regulations incorporate the Club's Customer Charter (if any). Entry to the Ground shall constitute acceptance of the Ground Regulations.

"Ground" means this football stadium and all locations owned, occupied or utilised by the Club.

"Club" means this football club.

"Match" means any association football match taking place at the Ground.

"Material" means any audio, visual or audio-visual material or any information or data.

1 Notwithstanding possession of any ticket the Club, any police officer or authorised steward may refuse entry to (or eject from) the Ground any person:

1.1 that fails (or in the Club's reasonable opinion is likely to fail) to comply with these Ground Regulations or any reasonable instruction issued by a police officer or authorised steward;

and/or

1.2 whose presence within the Ground is, or could (in the Club's reasonable opinion), constitute a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any other person.

2 On no account will admission be granted to a person who is the subject of a current Banning Order under the Football Spectators Act 1989 (as amended) or a Banning Order issued from Worcester City Football Club.

3 The Club excludes to the maximum extent permitted by law any liability for loss, injury or damage to persons/property in or around the Ground.

4 No guarantees can be given by the Club that a Match will take place at a particular time or on a particular date and the Club reserves the right to reschedule the Match without notice and without any liability whatsoever.

5 In the event of the postponement or abandonment of the Match, refunds (if any) will be made, failing that The Club will give out a ticket whereby the paying customer for this fixture can attend the rescheduled fixture free of charge. The Club will have no further liability whatsoever, including (but not limited to) any indirect or consequential loss or damage, such as (but not limited to) loss of enjoyment or travel costs.

6 All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Club's right to search any person entering the Ground and to refuse entry to or eject from the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search.

7 The following articles must not be brought within the Ground - knives, fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety. Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to the Ground.

8 The use of threatening behaviour, foul or abusive language is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground. The Club may impose a ban for one or more Matches.

9 Racial, homophobic or discriminatory abuse, chanting or harassment is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground. The Club may impose a ban for one or more Matches.

10 The following acts are offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 (as amended):

10.1.1 The throwing of any object within the Ground without lawful authority or excuse.

10.2 The chanting of anything of an indecent or racialist nature.

10.3 The entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful authority or excuse.

Conviction may result in a Banning Order being made.

11 The obstruction of gangways, access ways, exits and entrances, stairways and like places is strictly forbidden. Nobody entering the Ground shall be permitted to climb any structures within the Ground.


12 Football League & Football Conference stadia are smoke-free and smoking is not permitted inside these Grounds, upon promotion to the Football Conference St Georges Lane will become a non-smoking venue, as of this time the only areas that smoking is not permitted is in all buildings and in front of and in the main stand.

13 Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 (as amended), the following are offences for which a person can be arrested by a police officer and conviction could result in a Banning Order being made:

13.1 Attempting to enter the Ground or being inside the Ground whilst drunk;

13.2 Being in possession of any intoxicating liquor, or bottle, can or other portable container and which could cause damage or personal injury, when entering the Ground or in a public area of the Ground from which the event can be directly viewed.

14 Any individual who has entered any part of the Ground designated for the use of any group of supporters to which he does not belong may be ejected from the Ground either for the purposes of his own safety or for any other reason.

15 No goods (including literature) of any nature may be offered either free or for sale by any person within the Ground without the express written permission of the Club.

16 CCTV cameras are in use around and in the Ground and the Club may itself use or pass to the police or any Football Authority, any recordings for use in any proceedings.

17 At all times whilst present in the Ground, persons must comply with any and all instructions of any steward or officer of the Club and/or any police officer. Failure to comply with any instruction may lead to immediate ejection from the Ground.

18 Refused entry to (or ejection from) the Ground may lead to further action by the Club including, but not limited to, the withdrawal of any season ticket (without reimbursement), Club Membership and other benefits.


Issue by the Safety Officer of Worcester City Football Club

…………………………………………………………

[DazaB]

Which idiot came up with these?

12 Football League & Football Conference stadia are smoke-free and smoking is not permitted inside these Grounds, upon promotion to the Football Conference St Georges Lane will become a non-smoking venue, as of this time the only areas that smoking is not permitted is in all buildings and in front of and in the main stand.

Ohh come off it. What's the football league got to do with it? I thought we were in the football conference anyway so why state that it will become no-smoking upon promotion...??

16 CCTV cameras are in use around and in the Ground and the Club may itself use or pass to the police or any Football Authority, any recordings for use in any proceedings.

Since when? Please don't tell me these have been installed over the summer - complete waste of money.

13.2 Being in possession of any intoxicating liquor, or bottle, can or other portable container and which could cause damage or personal injury, when entering the Ground or in a public area of the Ground from which the event can be directly viewed.

Being in possesion of a can, bottle or portable container may cause a steward to refuse entry to the ground? Why?

8 The use of threatening behaviour, foul or abusive language is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground. The Club may impose a ban for one or more Matches.

Is this restricted to the spectators or does it include the playing staff of either team?

7 The following articles must not be brought within the Ground - knives, fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety. Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to the Ground.

I assume that all persons attempting to enter the ground with cans will be refused entry, otherwise why have the rule there?

17 At all times whilst present in the Ground, persons must comply with any and all instructions of any steward or officer of the Club and/or any police officer. Failure to comply with any instruction may lead to immediate ejection from the Ground.

This has got "New Labour" written all over it.

[georgethebassett]

Well done, Daza, for even being bothered to read the regulations - I certainly haven't.

[The Verner]

Dazza,

CCTV has been installed by myself using my own time and money to do it so it hasnt cost the club anything, weve had several break ins, all refreshment units, portacabin, main office and also the legends bar, CCTV was put there to try and catch a glimpse of them...since the installation....as of yet weve not had any break ins.

Smoking clearly states that St Georges Lane is currently a smoking venue in areas...but if we ever get promoted this will change as the football premier rules state....this way it gives the idiots who blindly ignore rules to have enough notice.

If found in possesion....this would be if/when you are searched. We only search on the larger games and even then its foccused more on visiting supporters as we know our supporters are mostly well behaved

Theres nothing i can do anout the players language to be honest, maybe you sjould have a word with them.

Anything else you want an answer to?

[pendulum]

so if i have a can of coke walking into the city i will be refused?

[The Verner]

If you look at what was sent to dazza, particulary at the part where i say about searching this gives you your answer, if you travel to edgar street or tamworth they wont serve you a drink with a lid on, they no longer do cans and most drinks are poured into plastic glasses!

[oxford]

It's the same at Forest Green-That well known trouble spot!!

[pendulum]

has there ever ever been a incedant when a fan has hurt another fan or payer with a can? im just wondering

[oxford]

Shouldn't think so but it's the same with everything now.Legislation to avoid litigation!These regulations probably have their place especially in the bigger set ups &,as long as they are adopted with a bit of common sense,as one would hope is the case here at the lane,they should cause no problem.The trouble is when this doesn't happen and you get over officious stewarding which can really spoil a day out.Ask anyone who went to the Halton Stadium @ Widnes when Runcorn were playing there and the stewards couldn't come to terms with the fact that they were controlling 300 fans of two non league clubs rather than 28000 top flight rugby league fans.It is good news that Runcorn now have their own ground as I would not have wanted to go to Widnes again,should our paths cross in the future, for that very reason

[The Verner]

Oxford....thank you....the key word is common sence, there were incidents with redditch and telford over past seasons, the key to it is follow the rules and you will be fine, i think the only time my stewards were over the top were Woking last season...even then certain two people believed we hadnt done enough.

If a spectator does throw a can at a player or another suporter then they will be banned....simples, if this happens then cans will be fully stopped...everyone will be searched etc thats then over the top, we may even request the new catering staff to remove lids and crack open cans.

So if you think the rulea are abit much then youve seen nothing yet....i want them to stay as they are and not turn into a forest green or tamworth.

[dragon]

Totally sensible and ,for once , someone has got off their a**e and done the correct thing BEFORE it becomes an issue.Exact copy of what is now common practice at all decent sporting venues!Well done,Verner.

[wh]

Jul 24, 2010 17:04:12 GMT dragon said:

Totally sensible and ,for once , someone has got off their a**e and done the correct thing BEFORE it becomes an issue.Exact copy of what is now common practice at all decent sporting venues!Well done,Verner.

and put his hands in his pocket to support the new measures.

Well done Verner

[pendulum]

WELL DONE VERNER!!

[Deleted]

Totally agree, they seem perfectly sensible to me. Well done Verner.

no comment regarding your predecessor needed, but do you also find that the directors Box is the only place you can sit to carry out your job on match day?

[DazaB]

Jul 23, 2010 23:13:29 GMT The Verner said:

Dazza,

CCTV has been installed by myself using my own time and money to do it so it hasnt cost the club anything, weve had several break ins, all refreshment units, portacabin, main office and also the legends bar, CCTV was put there to try and catch a glimpse of them...since the installation....as of yet weve not had any break ins.

Smoking clearly states that St Georges Lane is currently a smoking venue in areas...but if we ever get promoted this will change as the football premier rules state....this way it gives the idiots who blindly ignore rules to have enough notice.

If found in possesion....this would be if/when you are searched. We only search on the larger games and even then its foccused more on visiting supporters as we know our supporters are mostly well behaved

Theres nothing i can do anout the players language to be honest, maybe you sjould have a word with them.

Anything else you want an answer to?

Well fair play to you for installing CCTV at your own cost.

It does not clearly state that SGL is a smoking venue in areas, number 12 says that Football Conference Stadia are smoke free - we are in the Football Conference.

The trouble again with the cans is that it doesn't say if/when searched and on big games, it only says that being found in posession will lead to rejection of entry to the ground. That reads to me as if we can't even take cans in the ground.

The first bit of number 5 isn't even in English.

Seeing rules like these introduced puts people's backs up and annoys people we know we're not supposed to be naughty, do you really think it will stop anyone acting a t**t after a few beers?

Half of the things listed are illegal anyway so why do we need the rule there?

[Deleted]

Daza, you are beginning to sound like me!!

[cogg]

I am also worried that a 'mini-jem' has appeared ;-)

[The Verner]

JCP to answer your question i have now completed works on the old programme hut on the brookside....again at my own cost and in my spare time, directors box was merely temporary affair.

Dazza think you should put your glasses on and read it again, maybe you dont want to agree with them just for the hell of it, either way people are supporting them, they wont change so just deal with it!

[DazaB]

It's brilliant, it's just New Labour through and through: "we're the ones in charge, we're right, deal with it"

Almost laughable.

I admit that I have an almost prejudice hatred for these sorts of rules and regulations but it is not without substance. They are completely unhelpful (I'm still not sure whether smoking is banned, or whether I can bring a can into St George's Lane or not )

It is also irritatingly vague and yet so annoyngly specific in areas. Let's take number 7;

The following articles must not be brought within the Ground - knives, fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass vessels, cans, poles

Why have such specific items in a list if you're then going to put "dangerous or hazardous items" it's ridiculous. Are shotguns banned? Why not just put dangerous or hazardous items in the first place, then you don't have to piss people off by telling them they can't bring in a can. A can of what, can I not do my daily shopping and have a can of Heinz in my bag?

Why is it suddenly such a major problem anyway? Oh no, actually we're all supposed to be buying £1 cans of pop from inside the groud because it's so much safer than bringing your own cans in. It's like the idiots at the county cricket ground thinking that by banning alcohol from entering the ground they're going to suddenly get £3.50 a pint from mugs such as me who can't go to a sporting event without a beer or two. Well no, I can quite happily get by with neither sport or beer and save my money thanks very much.




Verner, my problem here is that you've said the key word is "common sense" - then why have the rules in the first place? Rules and regulations should be completely rigid - black and white - end of story. If these rules are not going to be complied to by the letter by your stewards than they should be removed without delay. If they are ground rules/regulations then you cannot say that some of these only apply to big matches and some apply based on the grounds of common sense.

It really does have the New Labour authoritarian attitude that this country has become addicted to over the last 13 years written all over it. People seem quite happy for the authority to have the power to do as they please on the basis that they probably aren't going to use those powers - no. They shouldn't have those powers in the first place. Persons must comply with ANY AND ALL instruction? We're not it the army; I don't follow orders. According to that if I was asked to jump off a 500 ft cliff and I refuse I could be removed from the ground for not following instructions. Although that would not happen, there should not be the possibility for it to happen....

[DazaB]

Jul 24, 2010 20:21:38 GMT Down The Pan said:

Daza, you are beginning to sound like me!!

I've got to admit I thought you'd be the one to agree with me!!!

[DazaB]

NUmber 5 still doesn't make sense:

In the event of the postponement or abandonment of the Match, refunds (if any) will be made

If there are refunds, they will be made?
Is that how that reads to anyone else?

[canalender]

Jul 24, 2010 11:21:30 GMT @pendulum said:

has there ever ever been a incedant when a fan has hurt another fan or payer with a can? im just wondering

d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport/20100129/25/0011e0ce26c579a909256fe0cced3798.jpg

With more local derbies coming up this season it's good Verner has taken the time to explain the precautions the club will pursue to prevent trouble

[dragon]

All of the above discussion illustrates just why WCFC got stuck in 1959! Nobody can agree on anything and it`s only since moving many miles away from the Faithful City,I`ve realised what a small-minded and petty community I lived in for 50 odd years!
We might have once beaten Liverpool but more than half a century later most club followers still got a `Brumagem League `mentality!

[Deleted]

Jul 25, 2010 2:39:36 GMT DazaB said:

Jul 24, 2010 20:21:38 GMT Down The Pan said:

Daza, you are beginning to sound like me!!

I've got to admit I thought you'd be the one to agree with me!!!

Sorry, but no. there has to be a set of rules and regulations reagarding ground admission. They are of course not in any way legally binding, but there again neither are the rules and regulations regarding parking fines on private ground ( You can park at Wickes all day without paying, whatever the little man says, and then just disregard the invoices you receive from the highly officious debt collecting agency until they go away - that'll be after hiking the invoice up to £300 and threatening you with a CCJ, er no! I don't think so!)
The only thing the club hasnt done is include an over-rider to say that the club can refuse entry to anyone into the grounds without need for reason, and the clubs decision is final.

You couldnt get into Villa Park with a can of beans, cans of pop are removed and you can get them at halftime, but cant take them onto the terraces. I remember the Danny Baker discussion about "Things you've had confiscated at football grounds" which included a brand new pair of shoes in a box, and a breast feeding pump! I remember when we played Coventry in the FA Cup, and the sticks from the flags were confiscated!!

[georgethebassett]

On entering the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in April 1985 for Sampdoria v AC Milan, one of the two fellow City fans I was with had a collection of oranges he had picked that morning, from a grove in the hills above Genoa, confiscated at machine gun point by a carabinieri - now that's what I call regulation!

[Deleted]

The carabinieri was quite right. Oranges can trigger migraines. Imagine 40,000 fans all suffering from blinding headaches at the same time. The soluble asprins would have run out in seconds, and exactly how big is Sampdoria's darkened room? Better safe than sorry.

[prestonwcfc]

Oranges also attract elephants. Maybe that was the reason !

[georgethebassett]

The last time an elephant was seen in Genoa, Hannibal was leading it!

And it was grappa not oranges that triggered migraines when we were in Italy!

[The Verner]

Dazza your the only one that isnt supporting these rules and regulations, as i say they wont change.

With regard to WCCC refusing alcohol, this is actually only for t20 matches, this is not the rules of the club but the rules they agree to when entering the competition every year.

On other competions they allow alcohol but there is a maximum number per person allowed.

Rules and Regulations have to be in place at sporting venues and there are a few more things being put into place this season which you may or may not agree with, if you want to discuss these in person then by all means lets have a chat on a match day, im approacable.

We wont be banning oranges

[prestonwcfc]

Jul 25, 2010 19:47:41 GMT The Verner said:

We wont be banning oranges

Is that because you have no sympathy for people with headaches or you believe the chance of elephants in Worcester is slim ? ;D