St Albans City bans two supporters for online abuse

[saintsdad]

www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-football-club-bans-two-supporters-1-6239919

[stafans]

Very harsh imo.

[saintsdad]

I'm sure the club have thought long and hard about the situation, spoken to all parties involved, informed people in advance of their decision before making it public, and basically taken a sensible, measured approach that is best for everyone.

Just like they did with the ticket prices.

[bigwhizz]

Can you expand on the limited information in the HertsAd piece, as to why the club have done what they've done then stafans?

I've no idea what has been tweeted so can't judge if it's harsh or not.

Will happily berate the club once I know alll the details, if i think they are wrong.

Looking forward to an update.

[albanian]

It's not yet been clarified which individuals have been banned. I can take a pretty good guess from the details given.

Both were for abusive Twitter correspondence with another supporter. Although I wouldn't refute that the abuse was very out of order, it seems unquestionable that the bans were politically motivated.

I can recall countless occasions over the years where cross words have been exchanged between supporters, lines have been overstepped in terms of bad behaviour, but ultimately apologies have been made and everyone's moved on.

The club are taking a very hard line in shutting down any dissent from supporters. A number of people have been blocked on Facebook/Twitter for politely challenging the club's pricing policy. As it's becoming clearer that crowds are significantly down, they seem to be doubling down on this rather than admitting that perhaps they've got it wrong.

It's really upsetting to see the direction the club is going. I respect the money and time that John and Lawrence have invested into the club, but they've not come out of this in a good light.

[saintsdad]

Aug 28, 2019 14:43:55 GMT albanian said:

The club are taking a very hard line in shutting down any dissent from supporters. A number of people have been blocked on Facebook/Twitter for politely challenging the club's pricing policy.

I was going to say I wonder if the club will be taking action against any members of the social media team who have over-stepped their role and blocked supporters for no good reason... but from what you've said it may well have been the club's idea!

As if the rest of the league weren't laughing at us enough already

[ahad43]

The article says

'We contacted a spokesman for St Albans City FC'

I wonder how the Herts Ad knew two supporters had been banned, and so decided to contact the club for a comment, before the supporters themselves knew.

[albanian]

Ultimately it's all coming from Lawrence and John. They've shown a worrying authoritarian streak over all of this.

[stafans]

Aug 28, 2019 14:14:35 GMT bigwhizz said:

Can you expand on the limited information in the HertsAd piece, as to why the club have done what they've done then stafans?

I've no idea what has been tweeted so can't judge if it's harsh or not.

Will happily berate the club once I know alll the details, if i think they are wrong.

Looking forward to an update.

For swearing and bullying. Is it wrong? Yes. Is the club in a bad situation? Yes. I don't like or condone usage of bad language but cmon 2 years for that? I knew someone a while ago who got banned for the same amount of time after lighting a flare at hemel. For me the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

[saintsdad]

Back in July an account was set up on Twitter at twitter.com/HomeAwaySaints - it has since been deleted.

The owner of the account directly insulted a Saints supporter by calling him a nobody and an embarrassment, and even went as far as to set up a poll with the aim of insulting and embarrassing that supporter (which when I last saw had 19 votes).

I hope the club will continue to make a stand against online bullying among supporters with their zero tolerance policy and ban the person in charge of that account.

[citycentresaint]

The whole ticketing fiasco has been a PR disaster.

[davymac55]

Name the fans
Highlight the tweets
or maybe the fans could name themselves asno doubt theyd know who they are one would assume
However..as has been said..how did newspaper know to contact club

[lagerman]

I'm on Facebook, but not on Twitter, and l must admit, l haven't seen anything nasty on Facebook.
But the way l see it, as far as Twitter goes, and indeed Facebook, and indeed anything Social Media wise, if anybody says anything threatening, or abusive, or nasty or anything like that, if that is what happened, then they are asking for it really.
As for the punishment for whatever has happened here, l can't comment on that, whether the severity of it is warranted or not, as l don't know what was said..
So personally, l am just speaking generally here, but of course feelings are running high at the moment, so rightly or wrongly, people are saying or doing things like they feel they should, it's just sad to see things in such a state as they are.

[casper]

In my view this is a convenient smokescreen to deflect attention from what is really happening at the club.

It's the censorship of individuals and any comment which disagrees with the price rises which is the real concern. The owners clearly have contacts in the media to put into the public domain their view of the 'dissent amongst fans'.

What have the two supporters groups said publicly since the initial statements saying they disagree with the price rise?

It appears from the outside that the owners are doing whatever they need to do to protect their investment. They may end up with a brand new stadium for the club but with the current alienation of supporters it will be an empty new stadium.

[ex-saintswebbo]

It is such a shame it has come to this. I haven't been to CP for a couple of seasons now. I have my reasons... whatever happened to AppySaint?

[asaintreborn]

Aug 28, 2019 20:48:28 GMT casper said:

In my view this is a convenient smokescreen to deflect attention from what is really happening at the club.

It's the censorship of individuals and any comment which disagrees with the price rises which is the real concern. The owners clearly have contacts in the media to put into the public domain their view of the 'dissent amongst fans'.

What have the two supporters groups said publicly since the initial statements saying they disagree with the price rise?

It appears from the outside that the owners are doing whatever they need to do to protect their investment. They may end up with a brand new stadium for the club but with the current alienation of supporters it will be an empty new stadium.

There is a big reason for the trust not releasing a statement atm. I wont go into why.If you know you know.

In regards to SBYS some of it's committee members have left as they are in support of the owners. Those left are regrouping and thinking of the next steps/direction of SBYS.

[ahad43]

If you know you know? The reasons are what they are but as a representative supporters voice holding supporters money the idea that they have been silent for a secret reason or two doesn't seem right

It also surprises me that 'some' of its committee left because they support the price rise, considering hardly anyone seems to support it! Are those that are left in contact with the Trust to provide a united front? Maybe they should canvas supporters to help decide what to do next too

[bigwhizz]

ahad43 i think the reason the trust hasn't been very active over all the ticket pricing mess is that the person who, in my opinion, is the trust is very poorly.

I'm surprised that none of the other trust board members haven't been able to put some sort of statement out voicing their concern as well as the SBYS people.

Stafans you say this banning is harsh but we still don't what was said or the make up of the video content that was also sent? Missed that until I re-read the press report. I'd imagine it wasn't pleasant viewing though.

Regarding the supporters son that was targeted. What's he doing having a twitter account anyway? Legal age is 13 I think.

Don't get me started on the flare incident at Hemel. The club at the time were heavily telling everyone the consequences of bringing them to games.

From a personal view, my lad was ball-balling at the Hatfield Road during one game and had a flare hit him from behind. He was shaken up so much that he stopped doing it. Overreaction maybe, but until you're in that situation you don't know how you'll react.

I'd just like to get back to commenting on the on field activities rather than all the crap off of it at the moment.

[stafans]

Aug 29, 2019 11:51:28 GMT bigwhizz said:

ahad43 i think the reason the trust hasn't been very active over all the ticket pricing mess is that the person who, in my opinion, is the trust is very poorly.

I'm surprised that none of the other trust board members haven't been able to put some sort of statement out voicing their concern as well as the SBYS people.

Stafans you say this banning is harsh but we still don't what was said or the make up of the video content that was also sent? Missed that until I re-read the press report. I'd imagine it wasn't pleasant viewing though.

Regarding the supporters son that was targeted. What's he doing having a twitter account anyway? Legal age is 13 I think.

Don't get me started on the flare incident at Hemel. The club at the time were heavily telling everyone the consequences of bringing them to games.

From a personal view, my lad was ball-balling at the Hatfield Road during one game and had a flare hit him from behind. He was shaken up so much that he stopped doing it. Overreaction maybe, but until you're in that situation you don't know how you'll react.

I'd just like to get back to commenting on the on field activities rather than all the crap off of it at the moment.

For me it just seems as if the club are alienating more and more supporters. It's an overreaction and harsh in the sense that it was in the paper, for the current feeling around the club I don't think it's the best thing in terms of PR. Furthermore why have the club not released a statement and instead gone through the Herts ad?

[albanian]

I've not heard anything about the video content, but I know there was an abusive private message sent on Twitter. The other incident was less abusive, but was deemed to be serious by the club because it involved a child.
In theory you can understand the owners decision, but it's just not consistent with how these sort of things have been dealt with in the past. It's very clearly that this is a direct response to having their authority challenged.
It's not just the banning of the two supporters that concerns me, but also the manner in which it has been handled. The supporters in question were not contacted and given a right to reply and in going straight to the Herts Ad they are clearly using this incident to tarnish the whole boycott movement.

[jj123]

Any news from the club as to whose been banned?

[boojiboy]

Both the Trust and SBYS have stated on more than one occasion that they oppose the new pricing structure.

[ahad43]

Aug 29, 2019 17:14:56 GMT boojiboy said:

Both the Trust and SBYS have stated on more than one occasion that they oppose the new pricing structure.

That was quite some time ago, wasn't it? Have they now accepted the pricing structure? What do they think of the changes to concessions? Or Premier League / League club season ticket holders getting in for cheaper than Saints season ticket holders? Or fans being blocked on twitter for no reason? Or (some) fans (but not others) being banned from the Park?

[ex-saintswebbo]

I have a feeling that both messages were sent/ directed to the same person (might be wrong) who as far as I am aware is a volunteer not an official. I'll be careful who i pick an argument in future just in case I get banned. Maybe a Brexit debate with Knocky?

[asaintreborn]

Aug 29, 2019 17:24:35 GMT ahad43 said:

Aug 29, 2019 17:14:56 GMT boojiboy said:

Both the Trust and SBYS have stated on more than one occasion that they oppose the new pricing structure.

That was quite some time ago, wasn't it? Have they now accepted the pricing structure? What do they think of the changes to concessions? Or Premier League / League club season ticket holders getting in for cheaper than Saints season ticket holders? Or fans being blocked on twitter for no reason? Or (some) fans (but not others) being banned from the Park?

I said earlier that SBYS are going to re-group... so we will just have to be patient. Now you know why the trust haven't responded (life come first). What I do know SBYS are no longer invited to meetings and have been completely cut out by the club even though they gave the club numerous ideas before the ticket announcement to help raise money and it all fell on deaf ears. Some of the members who are left wanted to take a break after being treated poorly by the club before picking up the sword again. Just because they dared to stand up against the price hikes.

[saintsdad]

Aug 29, 2019 19:09:41 GMT ex-saintswebbo said:

I have a feeling that both messages were sent/ directed to the same person (might be wrong) who as far as I am aware is a volunteer not an official. I'll be careful who i pick an argument in future just in case I get banned. Maybe a Brexit debate with Knocky?

You can probably guess who ran the HomeAwaySaints twitter account and spent his time on that account insulting anyone boycotting the club as well as setting up the poll aimed at a specific Saints supporter. The person involved hasn't been banned yet as far as I can tell. Or maybe he has but the Herts Ad haven't had the leak yet...

[EFMTFTV]

I think one of the banned people is myself although I'm yet to hear from the club (although I do have a recorded delivery letter sitting at the post office)
I would have thought the club would have seen fit to at least speak to me about it first, I mean what if my twitter account had been hacked liked Jimmy Grays was when he made them racist comments

Anyway, the tweet I sent to a child basically said 'tell your dad to stop being a twat' we'd just had a exchange at Dulwich and I wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind

I have since deleted it and apologized and even met the Dad for some clear the air / diplomatic chats and I don't think he is a twat

Is that worthy of a two year ban? Or is just politically motivated as mentioned above as one of most vocal critics of the price rise. Well I've been coming for 27 seasons and I'll still be here in 27 seasons time long after the current owners have gone and I will still be a vocal critic of the price rises and also anything else they do, I've been learning a lot about them in recent weeks.
See you at a home game in 2 years when £18 may not be taking the piss as much (although I'm sure it'll be £20 by then)

[citycentresaint]

Aug 30, 2019 19:33:13 GMT EFMTFTV said:

I think one of the banned people is myself although I'm yet to hear from the club (although I do have a recorded delivery letter sitting at the post office)
I would have thought the club would have seen fit to at least speak to me about it first, I mean what if my twitter account had been hacked liked Jimmy Grays was when he made them racist comments

Anyway, the tweet I sent to a child basically said 'tell your dad to stop being a twat' we'd just had a exchange at Dulwich and I wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind

I have since deleted it and apologized and even met the Dad for some clear the air / diplomatic chats and I don't think he is a twat

Is that worthy of a two year ban? Or is just politically motivated as mentioned above as one of most vocal critics of the price rise. Well I've been coming for 27 seasons and I'll still be here in 27 seasons time long after the current owners have gone and I will still be a vocal critic of the price rises and also anything else they do, I've been learning a lot about them in recent weeks.
See you at a home game in 2 years when £18 may not be taking the piss as much (although I'm sure it'll be £20 by then)

Seems ridiculous.

In two years time, tickets will probably be £25 but only £22 if you buy in advance!

[Canary Saint]

Aug 30, 2019 19:33:13 GMT EFMTFTV said:

I think one of the banned people is myself although I'm yet to hear from the club (although I do have a recorded delivery letter sitting at the post office)
I would have thought the club would have seen fit to at least speak to me about it first, I mean what if my twitter account had been hacked liked Jimmy Grays was when he made them racist comments

Anyway, the tweet I sent to a child basically said 'tell your dad to stop being a twat' we'd just had a exchange at Dulwich and I wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind

I have since deleted it and apologized and even met the Dad for some clear the air / diplomatic chats and I don't think he is a twat

Is that worthy of a two year ban? Or is just politically motivated as mentioned above as one of most vocal critics of the price rise. Well I've been coming for 27 seasons and I'll still be here in 27 seasons time long after the current owners have gone and I will still be a vocal critic of the price rises and also anything else they do, I've been learning a lot about them in recent weeks.

See you at a home game in 2 years when £18 may not be taking the piss as much (although I'm sure it'll be £20 by then)

Blimey ! After all the money that EFMTV has put into the club over the years. I would have thought that some leeway could have been allowed. It is almost as if the owners do not care abouut the actual fans of the club and they have some other agenda. Wonder what that could be ?

[Hatboy]

Who knows but it will end up costing them money.

I don't think the length of the bans are relevant as I don't think the owners will be here that long lol