shrimperjon
President
Please find below a response from the club regarding an email i sent after tuesdays game. Makes interesting reading.
Jonathan
Thank you for your e-mail regarding racist chanting, and I can confirm that your e-mail was the only contact received from supporters regarding this matter.
Firstly I would advise that the Club are committed to a zero tolerance to any racist behaviour.
As you would have noted there were police in the ground for the Millwall match, which was classed as a Category C game – the highest category. In fact not only were Essex Police in attendance but also Humberside Police and the Met Police. Although the Club and Safety Officer were technically in charge of the match the police had requested to effectively take control of the away section in order that they could monitor the situation and then take any action that they deemed necessary – they did not wish to take that action during the actual match in case it inflamed circumstances.
Therefore, although it appeared that the Club and the stewards were taking no notice and action, they were actually acting on instructions and advice from the police and taking their guidance from them.
In light of events during the match, and you indeed witnessed, the police removed several of the Millwall supporters at half time and arrested further supporters on their way out of the ground. The Club has also provided CCTV footage to the police so that it can be scrutinised and further culprits identified.
As indicated above the Club does have a zero tolerance to this behaviour and if you do witness it and see no action being taken you should bring it to the attention of a Security Officer or steward. If you did not wish to bring attention to yourself the Club does have a ‘report an incident’ text number where you can notify us in confidence – 07920 107694.
Thank you for your support
Regards
Helen Norbury
Helen Norbury
Club & Company Secretary
Southend United Football Club
Roots Hall Stadium
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea
Essex
SS2 6NQ
Jonathan
Thank you for your e-mail regarding racist chanting, and I can confirm that your e-mail was the only contact received from supporters regarding this matter.
Firstly I would advise that the Club are committed to a zero tolerance to any racist behaviour.
As you would have noted there were police in the ground for the Millwall match, which was classed as a Category C game – the highest category. In fact not only were Essex Police in attendance but also Humberside Police and the Met Police. Although the Club and Safety Officer were technically in charge of the match the police had requested to effectively take control of the away section in order that they could monitor the situation and then take any action that they deemed necessary – they did not wish to take that action during the actual match in case it inflamed circumstances.
Therefore, although it appeared that the Club and the stewards were taking no notice and action, they were actually acting on instructions and advice from the police and taking their guidance from them.
In light of events during the match, and you indeed witnessed, the police removed several of the Millwall supporters at half time and arrested further supporters on their way out of the ground. The Club has also provided CCTV footage to the police so that it can be scrutinised and further culprits identified.
As indicated above the Club does have a zero tolerance to this behaviour and if you do witness it and see no action being taken you should bring it to the attention of a Security Officer or steward. If you did not wish to bring attention to yourself the Club does have a ‘report an incident’ text number where you can notify us in confidence – 07920 107694.
Thank you for your support
Regards
Helen Norbury
Club & Company Secretary
Southend United Football Club
Roots Hall Stadium
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea
Essex
SS2 6NQ
Tel: 01702 304050