Xàbia Shrimper
Co-founder of ShrimperZone
I must make some comment on the hysterically stewarding experienced at Roots Hall last Saturday during the Spanish Shrimpers annual visit to the UK. The main view is from our position in the East Stand (first half East Greens [before some old fart made a comment about day-tripping, I kid ye not] and the second half spent standing at the back of the East Blacks).
Not five minutes had passed before 'Jobsworth in White Jacket' stomped angrily up the stairs in the East Blacks and gesticulated wildly at the half dozen or so people who were daring to stand in the cramped back row of the stand. Gesticulations were quickly replaced with "scary stare" which lasted another three or four minutes before the lads eventually complied. The next target for 'Jobsworth in White Jacket' were the people who were daring to stand in the cramped rear row of the East Greens. It appeared he met his match as he confronted 50 or so people, most of whom ignored his wild gesticulations and 'scary stare' which resulted in 'Jobsworth in White Jacket' speaking excitedly into the collar of his jacket before storming off in a sulk towards the Far Post Bar.
Minutes later, a half dozen or so 'Terribly Important Technical Stewards' (or T.I.T.S for short) made a valient attempt to force the surprisingly numerous and noisy Franchise FC followers to sit but were confronted by a hearty rendition of the "Stand Up ..." song which resulted in the T.I.T.S beating a hasty retreat.
Having read reports from afar about the stewarding at places such as Nottingham Forest and Swindon Town, I can see why some fans are getting somewhat shirty with the T.I.T.S at Roots Hall. Their attempts to get the away contingent to remain seated were somewhat half-hearted compared to the sort of intimidation experienced by sections of the home support - I heard other stories about the antics of the T.I.T.S from other parts of the ground - and I can understand the frustrations.
On a happier note: the club shop and ticket office were great and I (along with Napster, Leeboy and Beaver) bumped into Trevor Brooking under the East Stand.
WS
Jávea, Spain
Not five minutes had passed before 'Jobsworth in White Jacket' stomped angrily up the stairs in the East Blacks and gesticulated wildly at the half dozen or so people who were daring to stand in the cramped back row of the stand. Gesticulations were quickly replaced with "scary stare" which lasted another three or four minutes before the lads eventually complied. The next target for 'Jobsworth in White Jacket' were the people who were daring to stand in the cramped rear row of the East Greens. It appeared he met his match as he confronted 50 or so people, most of whom ignored his wild gesticulations and 'scary stare' which resulted in 'Jobsworth in White Jacket' speaking excitedly into the collar of his jacket before storming off in a sulk towards the Far Post Bar.
Minutes later, a half dozen or so 'Terribly Important Technical Stewards' (or T.I.T.S for short) made a valient attempt to force the surprisingly numerous and noisy Franchise FC followers to sit but were confronted by a hearty rendition of the "Stand Up ..." song which resulted in the T.I.T.S beating a hasty retreat.
Having read reports from afar about the stewarding at places such as Nottingham Forest and Swindon Town, I can see why some fans are getting somewhat shirty with the T.I.T.S at Roots Hall. Their attempts to get the away contingent to remain seated were somewhat half-hearted compared to the sort of intimidation experienced by sections of the home support - I heard other stories about the antics of the T.I.T.S from other parts of the ground - and I can understand the frustrations.
On a happier note: the club shop and ticket office were great and I (along with Napster, Leeboy and Beaver) bumped into Trevor Brooking under the East Stand.
WS
Jávea, Spain
