Wendy Saints Posted April 4, 2017 Report Share Posted April 4, 2017 Very disappointed to hear that....... I hope the club can accommodate the young team some way. I don't think the heavy handed policing/stewarding has helped matters. Hope to see you back soon. Could not agree with you more! I am middle/old aged & I watch closely the treatment these young lads get, some I'd guess still at school... I don't suppose for a minute they are all angels, however I have witnessed them getting the heavy hand treatment home & away, when all they have been doing is support their team. Being kept an eye on is one thing but this constant scrutiny appears to verge on harassment to me. If only police/officials were as hard on the old firm when they call! Our club only have to say they will support them but will not condone any bad behaviour & any perpetrators will be banned. Football is a tribal game, I have a feeling the game will become so sanitised we will be as well watching a croquet match! :-( Denzil and Havana Saint 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melbourne Saint Posted April 4, 2017 Report Share Posted April 4, 2017 Could not agree with you more! I am middle/old aged & I watch closely the treatment these young lads get, some I'd guess still at school... I don't suppose for a minute they are all angels, however I have witnessed them getting the heavy hand treatment home & away, when all they have been doing is support their team. Being kept an eye on is one thing but this constant scrutiny appears to verge on harassment to me. If only police/officials were as hard on the old firm when they call! Our club only have to say they will support them but will not condone any bad behaviour & any perpetrators will be banned. Football is a tribal game, I have a feeling the game will become so sanitised we will be as well watching a croquet match! :-( Completely agree... i bet it was Taysides finest that effectively said it should be closed to prevent the risk of hostile behaviour that could initiate crowd violence, or along those lines utter pish, but club have to comply. Just move along the East stand. Not as if its crowded. Wendy Saints 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honest Saints Fan Posted April 4, 2017 Report Share Posted April 4, 2017 Maybe if they learned to behave at away games the club might trust them more at home games. Can't have it all. The ghost of Jim Morton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broon Posted April 4, 2017 Report Share Posted April 4, 2017 I enjoy the atmosphere the young lads make. No doubt. On the flip side if you think these lads don't enjoy a bit of 'banter' with the away fans your heads buttoned up the back. I'd personally let them have free reign in the stadium but if they get into any nonsense outside then that's nothing to do with saints or supporting the club - hammer them. Wendy Saints 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garydavidson Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Was this anything to do with the reports of the police being called to New Douglas before the game to sort out fighting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzil Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Was this anything to do with the reports of the police being called to New Douglas before the game to sort out fighting? Whit? The police knew beforehand that it was all going to kick off at half-time, yet said nothing to Swanson and Foster? Outrageous! Stumpy1949, Oldermoresensiblepack and Wendy Saints 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Jenkins Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Again, very quiet on the actual why the club has seen fit to do this. By all accounts this is not an FCU decision it has been enforced by the club. I really don't see them doing this without good cause, from what I have seen the club have been more than willing to engage and accommodate them. I do have to say ours stewards maybe not so much and some of the policing in the ground has be way OTT. However stewarding does not seem to be the issue here, this seems to be a decision by the club so there must be a fairly good reason, other than them being curmudgeonly. As much as they create a good atmosphere, there have been some instances out with the ground by the sounds of it. Which if true I suspect that a final warning was reached. garydavidson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chips Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Will they still be recognised as the same group if they rename themselves The FCU ? garydavidson, saintie, Denzil and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 If it's just the section that is closed, what's stopping FCU sitting elsewhere. I suggest splitting into two groups fairly close together so can still generate the vocal support. Imagine the stress and confusion that would cause the policing and stewards! They'd need to send in the horses to control ya bunch of filthy animals LAUGH OUT LOUD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott1982 Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 (edited) So does this mean that the stewards are going to be policing an empty section of the east stand? really?. A big game tonight, the FCU need to be there. Edited April 5, 2017 by scott1982 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1312 Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 The club said 'various incidents that took place at hamilton' yet FCU weren't there as a group on Saturday.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex-montrosesaintee Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 (edited) Club statement: - "Following the issuing yesterday of a letter by the Club to the main contacts in supporters group Fair City Unity (FCU), such is the level of misinformation and conjecture regarding the Club's relationship with this group that we wish to make the following points clear to all supporters: • Fair City Unity, as a group, have NOT been told they are banned from the stadium • They have NOT been told that they will not be allowed into the stadium wearing FCU branded clothing Over the past fourteen months the Club - including senior management, Safety Officer and Supporter Liaison Officer - has worked closely with the group to assist and encourage the positive aspects of their support and few people would disagree that the vocal support the group has provided to the team at McDiarmid Park throughout this season has been anything other than excellent. The Club agreed to designate an area of seating in the East Stand as an 'FCU area' allowing this area to be identified as such by way of stickers etc and it has tolerated minor damage to seating in this area. It agreed to a properly managed introduction of flags larger than normally permitted, it facilitated the storage of drums, flags and banners and it was pleased to help accommodate a highly successful and credit-worthy food bank collection last December. Whilst the output of the group at games within McDiarmid Park has undoubtedly been largely positive it has, throughout this time, been achieved against a background of various levels unacceptable conduct from – along with others - a significant number of its members within the footprint of the McDiarmid Park site before and after matches, other areas of Perth and at various locations where Saints were playing away games. Such conduct included fighting with opposition support, theft of an opposition supporters drum and unruly behaviour in public streets and on public transport. Following the involvement by a significant number of its members - along with others - in poor behaviour in Dundee city centre and at Dens Park on Hogmanay, around 50 members of the group were invited to meet club officials to try to encourage better behaviour and 'self-policing'. The Club reiterated its support of and willingness to help the group but at the same time they were warned that the poor aspects of their activities couldn't be ignored just because of the positive aspects of their support of the team. They were advised that the Club was not prepared to have the good name of St Johnstone FC and that of the vast majority of its supporters tarnished and that if problems persisted they risked the withdrawal of Club cooperation and the area of dedicated seating they enjoyed at home games being closed. Following issues at Motherwell in March and more significantly at various locations in Hamilton thoughout last Saturday afternoon, the closure of that area is what has now been invoked - nothing more, nothing less. It is hugely disappointing to everyone that it has come to this and the Club is particularly disappointed for the members of FCU who have done nothing other than offer great support to the team at McDiarmid Park who now find that section closed. Ongoing Police investigations prevent us from detailing the recent incidents but we are confident that were they to be made known, that the vast majority of St Johnstone FC fans would agree that it was unacceptable and not something they wanted associated with our club. Club banning orders will be issued to those who are identified as being involved in disorder but it was the wish and insistence of the whole group that they be treated as and addressed and judged as 'one complete entity' and the hope and request that the well behaved members of FCU would 'self-police' the other members has sadly failed to materialise as disorder - much of it pre-planned - has increasingly blighted the club's reputation this season. The Club hopes that members of FCU will continue to vocally back the team but it cannot be seen to continue to endorse a group whose membership include a significant number of troublemakers. It is entirely comfortable with its decision to close the FCU section for the immediate future to help address the growing concern expressed to the Club by other St Johnstone supporters about the increasing evidence of poor behaviour affecting the Club and its ordinary fans, particularly at away games." Edited April 5, 2017 by montrosesaintee nips, Nelly78, blueheaven and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstar101 Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 You can't argue with the above I'm afraid I am aware of things that might change some opinions of this group of young lads 'who just want to support their team' Now, they are no worse than we probably were in our younger days, but we too had to face the consequences of our actions, and the club clearly state that above Yes, the atmosphere they create in that corner will be badly missed, but if they truly are supporters then I would expect to see them at games despite not having their designated area fazman1977 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruno Strasser Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 I don't think the club have any other option which is very sad. With "strict liability" on its way the club could find itself on the wrong end of a very hefty fine. Hopefully the guys will still turn out but I have to agree with the previous poster. The havoc that was common place back in the 70's and 80's just wont be tolerated now a days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepless Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 (edited) Excellent and unambiguous statement from the club. I have to say I've found some of the unequivocal support for FCU from older fans somewhat cringeworthy at times. Yes, they make a lot of noise and add to the atmosphere and the majority are a credit to the club and our fanbase. But there's been too much willingness to overlook the more negative aspects. There was a similar casual pack in the 80s. I was never much impressed by them either. Personally, I don't see the point of paying to go to a football match and spending the whole time staring and chanting at the opposition supporters. Edited April 5, 2017 by sleepless south inch, Radford 72, blueheaven and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Mental Davie Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Agree with the club 100% on this. It's one thing creating an atmosphere and supporting your team to the fullest; which is what I think's great. But when it extends to fighting, bullying and general harassment and vandalism, that's where I'd draw the line with them. I'm all for the group, but if they eliminated their pointless behavioural aspects that they claimed to have ridden off with the "Perth Pack", then they'd have a case to argue with Saints' statement. As said, I'm all for opposition banter in the stands, pyros, flags, drums etc, but why do folk have a go at the club for ousting their area when the group themselves are the ones who have decided to fight, create disturbances in city centres etc and generally just be wee fannies out with the ground on match day? Football Casualism is more than just "supporting your team" unfortunately; which is sad because its the architect of its own downfall half the time - including this instance with the club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOODLUM65 Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Ach well, we"ll just have to hire a section of the "Green brigade" on match days and see what reaction there is by stewards and Police. Keep up the chanting/singing. C.o.y.s. Balhousie Blue 1884, Cagey, sixties saintee and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 3 strikes. And closed. However the club acknowledge self policing yet I've seen anything but self policing at McD in recent weeks. So if FCU congregate in the East as still encouraged to attend will they be duly escorted out the ground? I think the lads should attend home games but relocate... I think Saints statement just makes the future very unclear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cagey Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 I think they should join Ghostie & make some noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bonham Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 I think they should join Ghostie & make some noise. Ghostie doesn't need any help to do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaky Toon Saint Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Just arrived in the ground to see that the entire block of seats taped off. Seems a bit unfair to the rest of us that sit in the block who arent FCU members (too old!) have to move too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Saints Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Excellent and unambiguous statement from the club. I have to say I've found some of the unequivocal support for FCU from older fans somewhat cringeworthy at times. Yes, they make a lot of noise and add to the atmosphere and the majority are a credit to the club and our fanbase. But there's been too much willingness to overlook the more negative aspects. There was a similar casual pack in the 80s. I was never much impressed by them either. Personally, I don't see the point of paying to go to a football match and spending the whole time staring and chanting at the opposition supporters. I have on occasion felt the need to defend them, however I could never condone any behaviour which sullied my clubs reputation...my main point was that paid officials at times take a hard stance with their 'policing' of the group whilst ignoring more serious behaviour from certain other fans! There is never any excuse for violence ever!!! sleepless 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slf Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 I have on occasion felt the need to defend them, however I could never condone any behaviour which sullied my clubs reputation...my main point was that paid officials at times take a hard stance with their 'policing' of the group whilst ignoring more serious behaviour from certain other fans! There is never any excuse for violence ever!!! I agree. violence may be the only defence when confronted.so stick up for yer club and mates . Wendy Saints 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger Bakers rebel army Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 Big sing song tonight without them although still some down the front, few giving it laldy up at the Tesco fence gooding the Hearts fans before the game. Decent saints support tonight so roar was pretty good, more likely to be missed at a Hamilton home game! Hope this gets sorted out as plenty of fans banned in the past now saintees stalwarts. Those that have been caught being naughty will have banning orders that are at the clubs discretion to allow them back. Lots that haven't been banned in the past would have been by today's standards. sixties saintee and Oldermoresensiblepack 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slf Posted April 5, 2017 Report Share Posted April 5, 2017 (edited) We must have the bossest top little firm in the land. why else would ye have so many polis standing staring at a small group of fans.then when saints score and everyone's celebrating,its time to charge in for mass arrests. what the fuq is that all about ? Enjoying footy with yer mates if yer a stjohnstone fan is fuqen hard.its so wrong on every level. Edited April 5, 2017 by slf Dave H 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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