I AM writing to you to express my bitter disappointment about my treatment at Ewood Park a week last Saturday afternoon (v Ipswich Town).
As a Blackburn Rovers supporter, I have been attending matches for many years. Like many other fans, I was very sad to see Brian Kidd leave his position as team manager.
Again, like many others I believed that it was the poor performance of many of the players that ultimately resulted in his dismissal. In an attempt to express this, a small group of fans, including myself, constructed a large banner that we intended to display in the Walkersteel Stand before kick off.
The words were simple and aimed entirely at the playing staff. It read: "You Got Kidd The Sack. Now Will You Play?" I went to great lengths to ensure that the words used and the nature of the banner would be acceptable to the local authorities, and the stadium management.
I rang Blackburn Police, and the assistant safety officer at Ewood Park, Steve Horlick. On both counts I was informed that I would be allowed to display the banner.
You can imagine my disgust therefore when, after showing Mr Horlick the banner at the stadium on the afternoon of the match and being told that it was indeed acceptable, I was subsequently ordered to remove it from view. According to Mr Horlick, the safety officer in charge of the match had deemed the language used to be offensive and that it would have to be removed.
I would argue that, although every person in the stadium would not condone my actions, it was the majority view of those present. Indeed, when the banner was first displayed applause rang around the Walkersteel Stand. It is my opinion that the safety officer in charge, John Newsham, was wrong in ordering the removal of the banner. I have the right to express my opinion as a fee-paying spectator. The fact that it may upset the feelings of the players is irrelevant. After all, the fans contribute significantly to the payment of their salaries.
I attempted to put my views across to both Mr Horlick and the stadium manager, but was told that if I did not remove the banner, the police would arrest me. Not only do I feel that the combined actions were an infringement on my right to protest, but I feel that the bureaucracy at Blackburn Rovers is preventing the loyal fans from expressing their displeasure at the performance of the team.
I have attempted to set up a meeting with Mr Newsham to discuss his reasons for ordering the removal of the banner and will be forwarding a copy of this letter to Jack Walker.
Finally, I feel that I have been unfairly treated and doubt the club's ability to deal with my complaint in a fair and objective way.
DAVID HUDSON, Main Road, Galgate, Lancaster.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article