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Post by lucabrasi on Dec 10, 2016 20:49:49 GMT
There-in lies the perfect reason for what we did, if they looked shocked and mystified hopefully they can have a quiet word with whoever decided to come in heavy, that it's unnecessary. Fair point. Obviously u guys are allowed up there by the club, would they let u wave the flags up there, so there can't be any issue with supposed blocking of view of hitting anyone with it? Nope we have it agreed that we go up there, in main, before the gates are opened to put them up, as for them, its supposed to be a no-mans land while the stadium is officially 'open'. There's obviously some common sense applied and we pop over briefly every now and then to put things that have fallen down back up and the like. Every now and then the club wins promotion too and celebrations spill over into it, much like the pitch.
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Post by lucabrasi on Dec 10, 2016 20:53:08 GMT
Quite the contrary I think they did, we get in there at 9am to put them up every saturday. We don't have to do that, none of us enjoy pegging up smelly material in the cold. That's what the stadium would look like if we didn't bother, which it seems people forget, we do bother, every week. But did the stewards tell you to take them down? Sorry mate may have miss-interpreted the "But the banners didn't need to be taken down". If it was a question or statement about the stewards enforcing that, then no, they didnt, that was our decision. If it was an opinion that you think we were wrong in doing so, then fair play. I think I've outlined why we did in a few of the previous posts. Apologies for confusion.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Dec 10, 2016 20:53:20 GMT
I am entirely with the Ultras on this.
Good on you. Right response and thanks for the great work so far.
We will keep it coming, even old cunts like me will get behind you.
COYY!
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Post by oufcyellows on Dec 10, 2016 20:54:43 GMT
Are the stadium company still enforcing the flags being taken down after each game, or is that just choice in case tits break in like the scum game. Could understand it when the stadium was jointly used but not really necessary to make u take them down now is it? Especially on weeks when there are sat/tue games. You guys are very much appreciated for what u do though. There will always be difference of opinion between different types of supporters, particularly at away games, and some give and take and understanding of others views is sometimes needed. But it certainly would be a duller stadium without u.
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Post by Eaststandboy on Dec 10, 2016 20:57:32 GMT
But did the stewards tell you to take them down? Sorry mate may have miss-interpreted the "But the banners didn't need to be taken down". If it was a question or statement about the stewards enforcing that, then no, they didnt, that was our decision. If it was an opinion that you think we were wrong in doing so, then fair play. I think I've outlined why we did in a few of the previous posts. Apologies for confusion. No, honestly was a question.
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Post by 54-46 on Dec 10, 2016 21:00:07 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised if it were some kind of petty tactic employed by the stadium company. By the way keep up the good work, roll with the punches!
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Post by bbl1 on Dec 10, 2016 21:01:27 GMT
And if it is true this came from upstairs they should feel ashamed... The ultras bring so much to Oxford Utd!
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Post by matt3009 on Dec 10, 2016 21:01:59 GMT
it would be interesting if we could get clarity from the club though!
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Post by Eaststandboy on Dec 10, 2016 21:04:29 GMT
it would be interesting if we could get clarity from the club though! I'm hoping for a statement
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Post by lucabrasi on Dec 10, 2016 21:10:50 GMT
Fair point. Obviously u guys are allowed up there by the club, would they let u wave the flags up there, so there can't be any issue with supposed blocking of view of hitting anyone with it? Or even have them at the back row, no one behind then... This is where I mentioned opinion coming into it. Obviously we have our section, I don't feel we encroach on many people, we are on the back few rows, there's rarely many people in there that aren't either affiliated with, or supportive of what the group is trying to achieve. We've always been considerate to be aware of people in there who aren't aware of the groups aims. I'd day we probably take about 50 seats out of the what, 10,000 potential home seats. Surely by now it must be reasonably recognised that that is where we operate from. It's not like we've got 15 foot wavers going in row A from start to finish. We had a flag up about 2 minutes into the game on the 3rd from back row, with what I could see was only group members behind it. In an ideal world, (and I know I harp on about Europe rather a lot) there would be a designated section for common sense ground regulations to be implemented, where flags can be waved during the game, as its commonly accepted that they do so in that area and not in others. This is the case in Europe, and it works. Celtic have now got the safe standing area and their support is now incredible (please look at that with no politcal persuasion, when judged on just noise, colour, and involvement, their support is fantastic for these shores) and with the discussions about safe standing areas in England, hopefully the future will bring better designed areas for supports of all types.
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Post by lucabrasi on Dec 10, 2016 21:13:32 GMT
Sorry mate may have miss-interpreted the "But the banners didn't need to be taken down". If it was a question or statement about the stewards enforcing that, then no, they didnt, that was our decision. If it was an opinion that you think we were wrong in doing so, then fair play. I think I've outlined why we did in a few of the previous posts. Apologies for confusion. No, honestly was a question. My bad, read it wrongly.
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Post by ox18 on Dec 10, 2016 21:18:07 GMT
The banners didn't need to be removed though. Quite the contrary I think they did, we get in there at 9am to put them up every saturday. We don't have to do that, none of us enjoy pegging up smelly material in the cold. That's what the stadium would look like if we didn't bother, which it seems people forget, we do bother, every week. The banners were taken down to make a statement. I did not notice them being taken down, just staggered when I looked over and saw how bland the back of the East Stand looked. Clearly this worked, we would not be discussing three pages of this thread, if the Ultras had just walked out. Hopefully this can can all be sorted out very quickly, the Ultras do a really excellent job and would be a real loss to the atmosphere if we lost their enthusiasm, time and cash commitment.
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Post by lucabrasi on Dec 10, 2016 21:23:19 GMT
it would be interesting if we could get clarity from the club though! I'm hoping for a statement I highly doubt it was an order from anyone like DE or Greig. By upstairs I think it was the safety team being alluded to. I appreciate that operating as a tenant puts DE and Greig at a disadvantage in situations like this, especially for a landlord like the one we have. We've had issues in the past with things, that probably all stems from there being so many parties concerned, and all having there own agendas or stones they have to step carefully on. I haven't met the new guy in charge of safety, he's either club employed, and tried stamping his foot down unnecessarily, for which hopefully what we did today will encourage someone to have a word, or he's Stadco. employed, and again what we did today can get the club to fight our corner a bit. Either way, it was a one off, and we'll be back next game like normal, hopefully treated as normal and we'll carry on doing what we do.
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Post by oufcyellows on Dec 10, 2016 21:27:52 GMT
It's really not a health and safety issue though is it? I can't see how it would be safe before and after a game but unsafe during play. An annoyance maybe, but as u say only if it has actually bothered someone. Oufc seem to be pretty behind u guys , I've been to a lot of away games where stewards would take an umbrella off u let alone a flag pole. I'm sure something can be worked out, even if it is just a more widely acknowledged agreement that it's not during play. A silly rule maybe, but no different to not being allowed to serve alcohol or curtains having to be drawn if drinking in view of the pitch in a box
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Post by MJB on Dec 10, 2016 21:35:33 GMT
I'd be disappointed if the club isn't a) planning to contact a member of the ultras on Monday to state that they would like to discuss this and find a solution that avoids any further aggro and potential loss of colour and vibrancy from our rented, concrete stadium, and b) issues a statement recognising what the fans mean to the club (i.e. everything) and clarifying that the above discussions are taking place.
A real chance to get some good PR out of a bad situation and nip a problem in the bud while doing so.
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Post by henleyox on Dec 10, 2016 21:48:54 GMT
Must admit when I first saw goings on instant thought was fk trying to prove a point after club held reunion night elsewhere , and current restaurant shenanigans.
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Post by ox9hp18 on Dec 10, 2016 21:52:06 GMT
as an ex steward for over 15 previous seasons (albeit) looking after the away fans , whoever is the new safety manager he needs to realise , that if you have a go & upset the HOME fans THEN you WILL have an issue for the WHOLE of the season NOT just the match on that same day , you WILL have a serious issue on your hands for the rest of your tenure as the "head of security & safety" upset the away fans & it doesn,t really matter AS barring cup matches you will not have to deal with them till next season OR longer BUT home fans are a VERY LOYAL majority ! disrespect & treat us fans as a piece of shit THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FALLOUT ! just remember that people will leak names ETC !
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Post by londonroader on Dec 10, 2016 21:58:53 GMT
I'd be disappointed if the club isn't a) planning to contact a member of the ultras on Monday to state that they would like to discuss this and find a solution that avoids any further aggro and potential loss of colour and vibrancy from our rented, concrete stadium, and b) issues a statement recognising what the fans mean to the club (i.e. everything) and clarifying that the above discussions are taking place. A real chance to get some good PR out of a bad situation and nip a problem in the bud while doing so. I was thinking along the same lines,the fans groups in the past have had god relationships with the club and there has always been open with each other on their needs, there needs to be a clear the air meeting with the club as there are a few match day issues creeping in, maybe the Ultras with Oxvox and any other group should sit round a table and get some common ground that suits all parties, there seems more match day tension with the way the stewards are deployed and their attitude towards fans, I know there has been the recent issue with smoke bombs maybe this is why the club are taking a stronger stance.
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Post by MJB on Dec 10, 2016 22:02:34 GMT
I'd be disappointed if the club isn't a) planning to contact a member of the ultras on Monday to state that they would like to discuss this and find a solution that avoids any further aggro and potential loss of colour and vibrancy from our rented, concrete stadium, and b) issues a statement recognising what the fans mean to the club (i.e. everything) and clarifying that the above discussions are taking place. A real chance to get some good PR out of a bad situation and nip a problem in the bud while doing so. I was thinking along the same lines,the fans groups in the past have had god relationships with the club and there has always been open with each other on their needs, there needs to be a clear the air meeting with the club as there are a few match day issues creeping in, maybe the Ultras with Oxvox and any other group should sit round a table and get some common ground that suits all parties, there seems more match day tension with the way the stewards are deployed and their attitude towards fans, I know there has been the recent issue with smoke bombs maybe this is why the club are taking a stronger stance. I have no doubt that DE has the instinct to know and recognise the importance of the relationship. The club just needs to think it through and reach out. They've done so much to improve relations with the fans - there should be no unpicking of that. Going to watch Oxford is fun again right now and the crowds reflect this. Let's keep that going.
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Post by Junior on Dec 10, 2016 22:04:23 GMT
So the deputy to Neil who GBT got rid of is now in charge. A Ian Mixter is his name.
GBT is the person who needs to be answering the questions on this.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Dec 10, 2016 22:07:29 GMT
Perhaps this is the start of gentrification?
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Post by makv on Dec 10, 2016 22:08:47 GMT
it would be interesting if we could get clarity from the club though! I'm hoping for a statement Me too
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Post by Gary Baldi on Dec 10, 2016 22:09:11 GMT
When does the cereal shop open up? Half time Coco Pops or Frosties anyone?
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Post by Paul Cannell on Dec 10, 2016 22:15:31 GMT
Granola will ease our movements. Very calming.
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Post by sussox on Dec 10, 2016 22:19:44 GMT
I fully support the ultras. I cannot believe that DE will allow this seemingly very oppressive style of stewarding this new safety officer is trying to implement. He is after all a fan himself, and must appreciate all the hours these guys put in.
Someone at the game who claims he knows him, says he is actually a Swindon fan.
He sounds like a totally pathetic health and safety freak. What's next, stewards in Jackboots and Panzer tanks patrolling the touchline? Attachments:
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Post by Gary Baldi on Dec 10, 2016 22:22:33 GMT
Their 24 had his cheerios today.
Still, at least our storm in a tea cup didn't end up in violence. Unlike Accrington fans at Orient. Makes our little issue look a little inconsequential in comparison.
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Post by lincolnyellow1 on Dec 10, 2016 22:25:35 GMT
A sad state of affairs here until we know who called the shots, Darryl and Greg regularly mix with the ultra's and often buy them a pint or two at some away games, they treat fans as very important members of our club, I would be very surprised if our chairman knew anything about this, and if proved correct he will certainly act on this and put things right quickly. I understand and sympathise with the actions as I would have done the same, I had a similar issue many years ago in one of our first seasons at the Kassam, for those who know me will know my pride and joy is my OXFORD UNITED "Lincoln Yellows" St. George's Cross flag that travels to all away games I attend, At one home game my flag was positioned to the right of the goal on the railing at the front of the East Stand, I noticed shortly after kick off that it had gone... On further investigation a fellow fan told me a steward had removed it and taken it away, when I confronted the nearest steward he took me under the stand and told me it had been removed because we were due to play Lincoln City at home the following week it "may" cause offence to our home supporters, I spent the whole of the 1st half arguing telling them it was regularly on display however fell on deaf ears, when asked for it back the reply was NO, not til after the game, again I argued and informed them that the flag cost me nearly £300 quid and I was not leaving it. After finally getting it back I felt let down and thought the club does not give a fcuk about our supporters let alone long term supporters, After writing a letter to The now late Tony Ashley "god rest his soul" including photo's of the said flag on display at nemerous grounds around the country I got a very apologetic replay admitting it was a bad mistake and that they did not realise the serious matter.
I am sure it will be sorted as long as everyone is open to discussion on a sensible basis now that the emotion has dampened.
Ps, I am one of many that give full praise for all that the Ultra's do to enhance our matchday experience at not just home games but also travelling up and down the country adding colour, enthusiasm and more importantly improving the atmosphere. Keep up the good work......
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Post by berliner on Dec 10, 2016 22:31:09 GMT
If any of you want to show someone an example of why the ultra movement will never catch on in England, show them this thread.
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Post by y3llowarmy on Dec 10, 2016 22:34:29 GMT
The odd thing about this is there have been big games where the club have provided/allowed every seat to have a flag as part of the display. Yes..to fly them....but NOT DURING PLAY!!!! I love the flags..banners and what our fans do to get the atmosphere...but oufc asked not to fly during play!! They don't come with instructions on when you are allowed to wave them? Personally I think it's an over reaction on both sides. Stewards could have handled the situation a lot better, ultras could have just stopped waving flag and enjoyed game without throwing toys out of pram.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Dec 10, 2016 22:48:50 GMT
If any of you want to show someone an example of why the ultra movement will never catch on in England, show them this thread. With the rules as they are, the Ultras need to focus on what they can do, not get frustrated about what they can't do. For better or worse, incidents like Bradford and Hillsborough have forever changed how football grounds are managed over here, so things like flares are banned and seemingly big flags being waved in the game are forbidden also. Football hooliganism also had a similar effect on how games are managed. The persistent attitude of a minority at football in general merely makes full on Ultra displays impossible.
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