TOPIC: Flags and stuff

A little while ago I commented on a topic, to the effect that the club doesn't allow flags.

Before the match on Saturday Carlisle United's safety officer, John Little, caught up with me and asked me what I felt were the problems that fans had with bringing flags to the ground.

I said that I felt that fans were being stopped from showing their support and trying to make an atmosphere at the ground. He assured me that wasn't the case and he really wanted to encourage anything that helped create an atmosphere providing it was safe. Flags bought from the club shop were absolutely fine to bring in. The big flags like the "Be just and Fear not" were great in the Waterworks End and could go there at any match where the terrace wasn't being used for fans.providing they had a fire certificate.

He would be happy for a large overhead flag to be used in the WRE before the match providing it had a certificate and the safety team had been consulted before it appeared .There was at least one flag in the WRE hanging from the barriers which was fine as long as they had a certificate. He wouldn't allow overhead (surfing ) flags in the Pioneer stand or any seated area of the ground but was happy to discuss for them to be used in the standing areas before the match as long as they had been cleared with the safety team first.

He stressed he did really want to encourage fans to make an atmosphere and was more than happy to discuss ideas fans had and aim to find a way forward.

For an old get like me, I do sometimes get really irritated with the amount of red tape and the constant risk assessments on everything we do. However it does mean I remember the horrors of the Bradford fire, and the terrible crushes of Hillsborough and fully acknowledge safety had to be tightened, even if it does feel sometimes the pendulum has swung too far.

Anyway full marks to JL for seeking me out and speaking to me and saying he reads the board and wants to help the fans as long as safety isn't compromised.

**and the title should read Flags and stuff: been editing pics all day and can no longer focus.!

Great idea, the only problem to that I see is the lack of people to hold the flag beforehand.....unfortunately the Warwick is a lot sparser than it used to me......that leaves the paddock as the only other area

I think the cost of a big overhead flag may also be a stumbling block. Oh and possibly the people who got kicked in the balls for at least trying to make a atmosphere a few years back. Do they still attend?

Shouldn't he be telling this to the fan rep?

Someone had a flag in the Warrick with custodians over failure on it. The flag had a safety certificate as far as I'm aware but was refused because of the content.

There was no swearing it was politely showing a distain to the owners and an opinion but the stewareds were told to remove it.

So I presume all flags will have to be checked for content first.

Chopper wrote Great idea, the only problem to that I see is the lack of people to hold the flag beforehand.....unfortunately the Warwick is a lot sparser than it used to me......that leaves the paddock as the only other area

Dancing Bear wrote I think the cost of a big overhead flag may also be a stumbling block. Oh and possibly the people who got kicked in the balls for at least trying to make a atmosphere a few years back. Do they still attend?

Agree about the price being a stumbling block but it would be something rather unique to surf a large flag from one end of the paddock to the other, particularly now the match is filmed from the Pioneer stand so the whole thing could be caught on camera. It could be organized and used to promote the fact we have the largest amount of standing terrace in the League. Plenty of positives , but the price of doing it would probs knock it on the head. I don't know many of those who were trying to organise the Ultra thing a few years ago, so really can't comment on that. I did feel at the time though, that they were fighting a battle as much with other fans as the club. Some of us can be more than happy going to football purely to watch the game and moan

RonBarcardi wrote : Shouldn't he be telling this to the fan rep?

I'm sure he would be happy to speak to the fans rep. I don't think the subject has come up as yet. I think the conversation with me came about simply because he read something on the message board that I had written which he felt at best was one sided and so he came to talk to me to give the other side. I was pleased he did, I didn't agree with everything he said but knowing he was willing to work with fans to create an atmosphere was far better than silence.

Mullen wrote:
Someone had a flag in the Warrick with custodians over failure on it. The flag had a safety certificate as far as I'm aware but was refused because of the content.

There was no swearing it was politely showing a distain to the owners and an opinion but the stewareds were told to remove it.

So I presume all flags will have to be checked for content first.#

Yes, I think they will be checked for content and there will always be clashes between what some fans feel is acceptable and what the club and establishment feel is acceptable. However what he did say, was for anyone planning a big flag, or things to improve atmosphere in other ways, to get in touch with him and discuss the way forward before any money is spent. Hopefully then with discussion a way forward for both parties can be found.

Maybe the club could sponsor or at least get Phil King to find a sponsor to pay for a big flag. Id say that the only way it would be possible.

Our 3 owners are utter [censored] sponsored by the Hamilton portfolio group.

Or something of the eqivalent.

Those big flags are really only any good in big crowds.

It would be a joke in the paddock.

Anyway paddockites aren't keen on frivolity or people enjoying themselves so best keep it in the Warwick.

I'm pretty certain Bradford&Hillsborough; weren't caused by someone having a flag without a certificate not that you were saying they were but honestly are they really going to hurt anyone.

Wukkie wrote:
Id be more worried about the growing trend of people taking pyrex to matches. Could have someones eye out if they arent careful.

Dancingbear wrote:

I'd be more worried about getting knocked out than having my eye out. Do you know how tough Pyrex glass is?

I think if they stop people taking a nice crumble into the Paddock, they'll rip the heart out of the whole experience.

Certainly when Gillead is over there he seems to get in a bit of a flapjack

Dundee United had plenty of flags going in the derby behind the nets on Saturday, i don't think anyone was hospitalised either!