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I have to sometimes question as to whether the West stand is the most appropriate place for supporters in wheelchairs. They have spaces at the back of the West stand and with all respect most of the wheelchairs these days are quite large and bulky and hence they little room at the back of the stand especially where there is queuing for the food bar. I have many a time been pushed into some of the wheelchairs and I think the only safe way to accommodate would be to take out a back row of seats and hence this would make the gangway at the back easier to walk along.
Tinks, I have raised this already and they are considering the best options for next season. Very few of the wheelchairs are inside the designated areas for them, the back wheels simply don't fit inside and the spaces need to be bigger which would involve taking out the seats in front of them.
 
Please find copied below the minutes from the latest Supporter Groups Forum meeting held on 8th February 2017 to keep anyone who's interested in the loop.

SOUTHEND UNITED SUPPORTERS GROUP
Committee Meeting at the Shrimpers Bar
7.30pm 8[SUP]th[/SUP] February 2017
In attendance; Chair Ken Jarvis Shrimper Zone; Dan McEvoy Blue Voice; Lesley Hicks Shrimpers Trust; Ken Taylor Travel Zone; Trevor Harp Shrimper Zone; Keith Baker Essex Police; Daren Posnack Shrimpers Trust.
Apologies from Ron Alexander Disabled Supporters.

Ken Jarvis stated that Ron Alexander had asked Ken if he could bring up at the meeting of the problem of supporters standing at home matches and blocking the view of disabled supporters in the West Stand in particular. The Chair asked Keith Baker if they could liaise with David Jobson to see if security stewards could cure the problem.

Mike Davis
submitted a point as to the continued problem as seen at the Scunthorpe game of smoke bombs being used from a group of Blues supporters.
Keith Baker stated that they are sure now who the group are and are waiting now to witness them in the act via CCTV.
Ken Taylor said there is also a worry that these individuals are rolling the smoke bombs under the seats so that other fans may be blamed when they are set off, Keith said they were aware of that and there would be evidence as to who has set them off.
Keith Baker also stated that there are new ways of detecting pyros before they are brought into the ground. Also stated they can also cause personal injury and crowd issues.

Keith
stated that the Police had worked with Southend United safety officer and club bans had been issued to individuals involved in ASB (anti social behaviour) Police has not issued football bans.
Working with ASB youth supporters with engagement and education. Arresting and applying for football banning orders are a last resort.

Ken Taylor
mentioned that there had also been an issue of drinking out in the street. Keith Baker stated it only happened on big match days at the Blue Boar when away fans found the pub overflowing, in general the Doorman are very good in maintaining good order on the premises. Keith also stated that the problems at the Blue Boar had in fact only happened once this season.

Mike Davis mentioned the poor state of the entrance to the West Stand outside of the turnstiles. It appears not to be cleaned up after a number of match days. A number of plastic drink bottles, food cartons and wrappers have evident for a number of home games. Not a very good advert for the ground and newcomers. David Jobson to be informed.

Ken Taylor
stated that at the last meeting that Commercial Director Danny Macklin agreed to investigate the problems with toilets and the speed of serving drinks at half time.
Danny accepted a request to tour the stadium to in order that the problem areas could be pointed out. As a result the ladies and gents toilets that serve the East Blacks/Greens have been refurbished, and all other stadium toilets will be considered for refurbishment. No information yet as to how the serving of drinks can carried out in a quicker manner in the West Stand. It was stated that it would be difficult to offer other areas because of the licencing laws. An open vote has been carried out as to what other beers (from our current suppliers) supporters would like to see offered.

All of the committee were concerned over the general state of the ground and the general customer service on offer.

Other issues were late selling of programmes on the West Side of the ground and the problems with Tannoy system in the same area.

Dan McEvoy
mentioned that the next home game was a kid’s day and perhaps streamers/balloons could be handed out to the youngsters but they have little or no funds available. Ken Jarvis stated that he would talk to a marketing company known to him to see if they could help with price and short notice.

Mike Davis
was thanked for undertaking the task of the minutes and all were informed why the Club had to view the last minutes first.

It was also agreed that in future the minutes would be agreed by the Committee and could then be circulated to individual groups members.

It was agreed at the close of the meeting to invite Danny Macklin to the next meetingand the next date would be Wednesday 12[SUP]th[/SUP] April 7.30pm.

Meeting closed at 9.15

MJD

ACTION POINTS
Dave Jobson; To be informed of untidy appearance of entrance to the West Stand.
Tannoy system in West Stand still giving issues
Security to be informed of fans standing up in front of disabled fans
Ken Jarvis; To talk to Outstanding Branding about balloons and streamers for next home game.



As always, McNasty and myself welcome any feedback or issues that you feel need to be aired at the Forum.

As you can see we are making some headway on some issues, slowly but surely, and the forum is a useful conduit as the issues are discussed, in an open and honest manner, between the supporters groups, the club, and the Police with the club's dedicated Police Football Liaison Officer, PC Keith Baker, regularly attending.

These points are all very worthy but should we really need to tell the Stadium Manager that the toilets are disgusting, the Commercial Director that catering is abysmal, etc etc.

What do they do all day ????
 
These points are all very worthy but should we really need to tell the Stadium Manager that the toilets are disgusting, the Commercial Director that catering is abysmal, etc etc.

What do they do all day ????

I can certainly confirm that things weren't in that state when you were Chairman of the Youth Section of the Supporters Club.
 
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