Shrimpsvoices

This is just an observation. Today there was a lengthy queue to get into the Main Stand entrance which was unusual. This appeared to be caused by only one steward carrying out the "pat down" duties. I couldn't decide whether the steward was male or female but she/he was very young and there was no visible support from other stewards in the vicinity. However she/he was carrying out the duty on both male and female supporters. My point is that surely this is wrong as I would have thought there should be a same sex "pat down" operation. Had the steward encountered any problem there was no apparent support to them. In my view it was another issue on the already questionable stewarding at the club. Not that I was bothered as in my mid 70's I am beyond worrying.

To be fair to (yes it was a young lady), she did simply ask my grandson what he had in his pockets and empty them, no pat down. Then she asked me if I had any objection to being patted to which I allowed. She acted very professional and explained exactly where she was 'touch' and all done with the back of her hands. We even kept it jovial.

Personally, I think the searching for blocks D and E is ridiculous, especially now that it's every game. I've been sat in the stand ever since the move to Westgate and never seen the slightest hint of any trouble in those blocks, not a single flare, not a single "missile" onto the pitch, never any fighting etc. Considering it's mostly OAPs and families with young children, it's way over the top and unnecessary.

Funny how again today, the away fans managed to get a flare into the away end - perhaps the stewards would be better engaged in doing more thorough searches at the away end???

About time those main stand hooligans were brought to heel! (Joking of course). Couldn’t believe the length of the queue waiting a pat down. The stewards continue with an absolute lack of common sense!

I got searched recently by a female steward. No issues with that really but I would have thought it wasn't the done thing. Today I fully expected to get searched again but they let me go straight in.

Wild Bill wrote:I got searched recently by a female steward. No issues with that really but I would have thought it wasn't the done thing. Today I fully expected to get searched again but they let me go straight in.

What gate was that?

I might be wrong but I always thought that there had to be two stewards on each gate, one female and one male, for obvious reasons. There were long queues today outside the entrance for blocks D and E in the main seating area with only one steward in attendance. I've been supporting this club for more years than I care to remember but the stewarding is a shambles. In recent seasons the standards have declined, but this season has got to be at it's lowest level in living memory. We seem to employ agency stewards who know nothing about the club, all they seem to do is look towards the seats as if every spectator, man woman or child is about to stand up and start hurling flares onto the pitch. Give us a break, we are a family club after all. MFC sort it out, ASAP.

Unfortunately you can't teach or train anyone new to do this.
It's all about knowing the customers and clientele.
In seating particularly this shouldn't be too difficult as you get to know people.
If staff change on a regular basis then this won't happen

I would like to know the costs involved in stewarding the games this season compared to recent seasons. I might be cynical, but are outside agencies charging more than when it was done at a local level ?

So I approached the ground and a young female early 20’s approached at the same time she just walked by the female steward,while I was patted down,
I'm hardly hooligan material as in mid sixties

I was carrying one of those red plastic bags that you purchase in the Club Shop to carry anything you've bought. I knew I was going to be searched so I had the bag at outreached arms. No problem, The bag was given a cursory check, and I had a bit of a pat down thought tbh if I'd wanted to conceal anything I could have done it easily.....I'm one of the mature in age crowd so posed no obvious security risk.....but then again what exactly does a real security risk look like?

Like Mark No.1 stated above security staff really need to know their audience if they are to be able to do their job properly.

I was searched by a female steward ( im a bloke) at the Berlin Wall side. Can't remember the last time I was frisked! She was the only steward there, I always thought the searches were done by same sex people? The stewarding is getting more heavy handed every home game. I didn't realise toting a balloon was an offence! Nice to see the away fans managed to get their flares in though.