Policing & Stewarding

Although I'd been a member of the Port Vale Supporters' Club for many years, I only got involved actively about fifteen years ago and subsequently became Chairman five years later. Having known nothing other than Supporters' Clubs, I was introduced to the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) in 2000 and, as an individual member, was elected to the National Committee the following year.

At about the same time I realised the importance that Supporters' Trusts would play in the future and so left our Supporters' Club to help launch VaST (Port Vale Supporters' Trust) of which I became Chairman. A change in personal circumstances meant that I could not devote as much time as I would like to the Trust and I relinquished my role in 2006.

As a member of the last ever FSA National Committee I automatically became a member of the first ever Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) National Council, where I hope to serve for many years to come.

My main interests Nationally are ticket prices, especially for away fans, and the Policing of football matches.

My Role...

For the last four years I have been plodding along trying to educate the Old Bill to police us footy fans with the respect we deserve.

Following Fans' Parliament at Highbury in 2003 I was successfully re- elected onto the National Council and was given the portfolio of policing & stewarding officer. After a rest I set about making contact with the people responsible for policing football games starting with the Home Office Lead on football matters D.C.C. David Swift. I must say that Swift understood fans concerns surrounding over zealous policing etc. and together we organised regional forums so that fans could meet the police responsible for policing their respective clubs. The idea being supporters could air their views without being told to 'shut the fu*k up or 'you're nicked'. We covered the majority of the Country during the next twelve months and the meetings were generally well attended and productive. It was, and still is my aim to have a rep at every club in the top four divisions, who has direct contact with their Match Commander and football liaison officer so that dialogue can be maintained before, during and after games.

A.C.C. Stephen Thomas has since taken over and I am continuing to liaise with him to take things forward and help ensure that all football fans are treated fairly.

If you have any issues or concerns with policing and stewarding, please contact me and I'll make sure that all issues are taken up with the relevant authorities.