Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - Independent : Democratic : Representative
Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - Independent : Democratic : Representative
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Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - Independent : Democratic : Representative
Unacceptable Behaviour
Blues Trust was dismayed to be informed of some serious incidents which occurred during the match against Reading last Saturday.
Several Trust members attended the match as part of the significant contingent of Blues fans. Unfortunately, the segregation arrangements between the two sets of supporters left a lot to be desired and tension was high throughout the game.
Sadly, during the second half, a female Blues fan was hit on the head by a metal object, either a coin or something similar. The object struck her head less than an inch from her eye and, given the direction of flight of the object, was most likely to have been thrown by a Reading supporter in the adjacent block.
The incident was reported to security staff standing between the two sets of supporters but, it appears, their response was inadequate with a clear reluctance to get involved or take measures to identify the offender.
In a further incident nearby, another female Blues fan who is partially disabled had a flare thrown on to her lap which she struggled to remove. She managed to do so eventually, with the assistance of other Blues fans, but not without considerable distress having been caused.
The incidents were witnessed by Blues Trust members and the Trust has reported them to both clubs. No response has yet been received from Reading FC, but John Clarke at Blues made contact immediately to express his disappointment. He also confirmed that Blues had reached out to the Reading safety team and requested that they provide a response as to why the situation was allowed to happen and, importantly, what can be done to make sure it does not happen again in the future. John has promised to update the Trust once a response has been received, something that we will share with Trust members and other Blues fans in due course.
Whilst it is pleasing to report that no long term injuries were caused, the incidents were nasty experiences for both victims and only good fortune prevented more serious outcomes. They certainly spoilt the match day experience. Such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable anywhere, not least at football matches, and the Trust encourages all Blues fans to call it out, and report offenders, whenever they come across it.
Blues Trust
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At the end of the day it’s disgusting and Reading should be going all out to catch this scum. If it was a Bluenose I’d be saying the same. Football has no place for morons who risk serious injury to others.
Hi Paul – As a ‘Royals’ fan of some 50 years who was standing in the area where objects were coming from I can honestly say this report needs to look a little closer to home. The blue flares came from YOUR supporters and were, unfortunately, ‘returned’ by our stupid minority. That doesn’t make it any better or more acceptable but does paint a slightly different picture.
After the initial ‘lets throw something’ both sets of ‘Supporters’ (we’ll call them that for now…) just traded objects. I myself was hit by a coin, coke bottle that was half full of (I hope coke) & had a flare land at my feet. No mention of that in this report…..
I agree the response of the security team was poor – they appeared to be more interested in not antagonising rather than stopping, which didn’t help. At least you wont need to come to us again next season!
Reading fan here, really sorry this happened. There’s always a few that ruin it, and I hope some sort of resolution comes from it.
No matter who did what to whom first, what on earth were the stewards there for ? If they were not doing their job properly, they were taking money under false pretences. If their instructions were not to get involved why have them ?
As much shame lies with them as the supporters involved.
I am afraid that I have little faith in Stewarding at football grounds. The vast majority do not appear to be trained regarding dealing with disorder but there again I am sure that they are on little more than minimum wage so it is not surprising that they are unwilling to get involved.
I agree it was both sets of fans b having badly retaliating against each other. Many years ago before segregation I was hit on the head with an old penny (large 1p) it came sharp. I was stood next to the lady and there was a nut on the floor it really stunned her. Personally as in other away grounds I have been to, there have been police along the divide and stewards were at the front. This was reversed. Stewards separating us rather than police. The flare was the lady in front of me it landed on her lap she knocked it off but it went up into her face. Then on the floor by people feet stood in the aisle. I hope Reading are looking at CCTV and treat the rebels as they deserve. I love football but sometimes dislike the behaviour. I hope all the injured and shook up fans are ok now.
Genuinely embarrassing that your Blues Trust member didn’t report ANY of the countless objects thrown by Birmingham fans.
Hi, this is most distressing and of course should be investigated. I would ask that our statement at the end of this update should encourage all Blues fans to ‘call out’ not only the opposition fans behaviours but where necessary our own fans behaviours, as only then can we rid the game of thuggery.