[big al]

To put the record straight & then put this one to bed for good.
1 I was asked by the club to help ensure the safety of our fans & the good reputation Stanley have had at away grounds, however I went in as a paying fan like the rest of you.
2 another Stanley steward was also there asking our fans to abide with the request to sit down as it is a ground rule for both home & away fans. Despite what you think, I was assured by Rochdale head steward their own fans were being told exactly the same.
3 Contrary to grassing you up I had actually assured the Rochdale stewards that the Ultras & other Stanley fans were one of the best behaved fans in the league & would present no problems so would not need any heavy handed action. I was pointing at nobody in particular, merely a gesture to try & prevent the mass ejections that happened -for the first time in our clubs history in recent times- & prevent embarrasment to the club.
4 It was pointed out to me that there was overcrowding in the area that concerned the Rochdale stewards, as much for your own safety as anything else. The club has a policy of three warnings & then out. I had observed the Rochdale stewards go up to speak with our fans twice. That is when intervened to try 7 ensure as many of our good following stayed in the ground to support the team, which cannot obviously be done from outside the ground!
5 My son was not embarrased by my actions as stated, he was aware that I am a long standing Stanley fan & act in the best interests of fans & ultimately the reputation of the club. He was sadly as let down as I was by a minority who obviously drew the wrong conclusions to my actions to their own detriment.
6 We are in the big boys league now, & hopefully staying. Actions within the club at matches have come under far greater regulations than in the non league sector & repercussions for the club by its fans actions can even close the club down. Us stewards have had to spend our own free time to obtain qualifications that we have to abide by in the football league to ensure your safety at matches & ensure games can go ahead at the club. A lot of activity is put in by our stewards that are not seen by the average fan turning up at 2.00 plus for the game, & more is put in after the game.
The worst thing for me is that assumptions were made yesterday about my actions that were false, unjustified & blown up out of all proportion for the simple one act on the minorities part of getting their facts right before putting brains into gear.
The directors of the club were also ashamed that after such great publicity by the good behavior of the Stanley faithful 25 -27 lost out on the second half of the game because of failure to comply, foul & abusive language & racism. Now who feels let down now!
I dont need answers, purely rhetorical, now lets get on & hopefully urge the team on to get the 3 point they need against Bristol on Tuesday.