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WHUISA Update

Guest Post by WHUISA Committee

The newly-elected WHUISA Committee has been working hard on a number of early-season issues on behalf of WHUISA members and all West Ham United supporters. Here is an update of recent activity.

Cheltenham & 4 Away Games in 13 Days

In the light of four away games to start the season, and particularly the switching of the Cheltenham home League Cup tie to an away fixture at Whaddon Road, WHUISA sought a gesture from the club to repay the Claret & Blue Army who had spent time and money in travelling to four away games in 13 days. WHUISA requested that the club considered a gesture towards the travelling fans who went to Cheltenham, particularly seeing as Cheltenham had been compensated in lost revenue through gate receipts.

Jake Heath, West Ham United’s Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO), told WHUISA that the club could not make a gesture to those who travelled by coach as this would not be fair on those that did not. WHUISA’s initial request was for a ticket refund which would have been fair to all fans.

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WHUISA then sought a gesture from the club in any format to show that they recognised and appreciated the extra effort our fans have made at the start of the season with four away matches. That gesture could have come in the form of a reduction in cost of ticket, a ‘pie and a pint’ voucher or reduced coach travel. It was not compensation but a gesture would have been welcomed. This was also rejected by the club.

WHUISA remain disappointed at the club’s stance but undeterred. In extraordinary, and hopefully unique, circumstances our travelling fans have got on with the job of supporting our team. WHUISA set out to get these loyal supporters a little thank you from the club in the form of maybe a (partial) refund of the ticket or indeed whatever the club could come up with.

A number of our members and fans have noted how other clubs take time out to respect and acknowledge their away fans’ endeavours with gestures from time to time during the season. We are sorry our club has not taken that opportunity this time but are hopeful for the future.

Met Police Meeting

WHUISA was invited to, and attended, a meeting on 30th August at Lambeth HQ with MPS (Met Police) prior to our upcoming match versus Tottenham.

In attendance was Sergeant Dave Hine along with three Dedicated Football Officers (DFOs) – PC Andy Sheldon and PC Rob Glozier for West Ham and PC Noel Deady for Tottenham (MPS Football Unit), Jake Heath (West Ham SLO), David Sadler (Head of Safety & Security LS185), his deputy Graham Harris, Katrina Law (Tottenham Supporters Trust), Kevin Fitzgerald (Tottenham Supporters Trust), Paul Christmas (WHUISA), Mark Gower (WHUISA) and Bill Edwards (WHUISA).

Discussions lasted just over two hours and were conducted openly and frankly. WHUISA asked a number of questions put forward by our members. The salient points from the meeting are detailed below.

Terrorism

A number of WHUISA members asked what measures the Police are taking. WHUISA directly asked Sergeant Hine this question. He responded:

1. MPS take the threat of terrorism with the utmost seriousness.

2. An immense amount of work goes into policing major sporting events in London and West Ham home matches are no exception.

3. Pre-match investigation/intelligence gathering is ongoing.

4. MPS work very closely with the Stadium operators.

5. Advice is given by MPS to all stakeholders involved in the London Stadium.

6. All PCs will explain what and why they intend to do if you are stopped

7. All PCs are Counter Terrorism Aware.

8. CCTV will be in operation in/outside the stadium.

9. Stadium security has the ability to monitor outside beyond the ground.

10. Officers will be in Full Protective Kit.

11. Police dogs will be present.

12. Vehicles will be subject to checks and will be prohibited to move along walkways where people are.

13. City of London Police will be assisting their colleagues from the MPS.

14. MPS will tweet any issues/concerns on the day before and on the morning of the match. Please follow @MPSFootballUnit

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Tottenham Home Match

1. This is a Category C match (code for a high-risk fixture).

2. Police will be present in full protective kit and the majority will have body cams.

3. Gates at the stadium open at 11am.

4. Alcohol will be served in the ground to home fans.

5. No pubs in the surrounding areas have been asked by MPS to close – it is up to individual licensees.

6. There will be controlled drinking areas in the streets around the pubs in Stratford.

7. Westfield will be fully open pre-match, the gates will close from around 75 minutes before kick-off. The closure is carried out dynamically on the day and could be nearer to kick-off time.

8. The gates will be closed at Westfield post-match.

9. West Ham will be operating up to 18 disability buses from Stratford and Stratford International pre and post-match.

10. MPS will tweet any issues/concerns on the day before and on the morning of the match. Please follow @MPSFootballUnit

11. People are advised to get to the ground as early as they can with a provisional estimate that a 45-minute arrival prior to KO should see you into the ground in good time.

12. Fans are advised to NOT bring bags unless essential as this slows down the search process.

13. Tottenham fans will NOT be held back post-match as this is a very rare occurrence. This will only change if there is a desperate escalation of circumstances outside/in the ground. The MPS do not expect this to occur.

14. Post-match, West Ham fans will disperse through Bridge 1 and 5 as usual to Stratford Station. Spurs fans will leave along the Loop Road to the station. Sufficient Police Officers will be in position if/when opposing fans eventually come together.

15. Ticket checking will go on in the stadium at any given place but more so in the Lower and Upper Tier blocks nearest the away fans. If you are in these sections please expect to produce your season card/ticket on more than one occasion.

16. Tailgating at the turnstiles is high on the agenda – please do not have two people go in on one ticket.

17. With body cams in operation please be polite to Police/Stewards as you can expect to be filmed (MPS wouldn’t expect the body cams to be used unless the circumstances dictate i.e. Disorder or officers dealing with issues, whereby the officer will activate them).

Over the first twelve months the stadium has been operating with West Ham as tenant, the working relationships between all parties has grown and strengthened. Sergeant Hine was happy to state that he had full confidence in LS185.

Changes which the Stadium Management will be implementing this season

1. One gate shall remain open at each turnstile to allow latecomers to enter their usual turnstile without having to go on a route march around the ground as was the case last season.

2. The searching process has been refined and people are encouraged to NOT bring bags to the match as this slows down entry procedure.

3. Further changes to searching are being planned and may be announced shortly.

4. Stewarding has undergone a massive change and this is expected to be seen from the first match.

5. Ticket checking and tailgating are in operation/being monitored.

6. The management of the Stadium has evolved and stadium sectorised with each sector having its own manager.

7. Exit doors will be constantly monitored & controlled from the Event Control Room in the stadium to monitor crowd activity. Additionally, stewarding staff will man the gates. They have the ability to open gates when directed to by appropriate management.

Contact

WHUISA is currently investigating a number of issues and concerns raised by members on behalf of both our members and the wider support base. If you have something that you would like WHUISA to look into, or any questions or suggestions, please email enquiries@whuisa.org

You can become a member of WHUISA by clicking here.

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