A Message to All,
Firstly, I would like to state the actions of the few should not tarnish the behaviour of the many. It is an important message to underpin the below statement, as football is there for the true fans, no matter which club you support. We pride ourselves with our #OneClubOneBadge approach as a club and we will not allow the minority to discourage or affect the enjoyment of the many. But above this all clubs, we are a football family, fans, and teams together. Nothing prides myself more, than seeing unsegregated games, where all fans mingle and share football news and stories. We have as a club experienced this a lot, and even during this pre-season had the pleasure of this experience; where fans came together and created a wonderful family atmosphere. Its what we strive to deliver as a club as we wish for all to come and see how great an experience live football can be, at such great price points, when compared to the Premier League. It’s an ever-moving evolution, a growth of continual improvement as a club, to deliver exactly that. Which we shall not allow a select group of individuals actions to tarnish such a journey.
Last night saw several incidents, which have all been reviewed in full (As promised swift and harsh), with the assistance of witness statements, CCTV and Video footage. I can confirm that all incidents will receive suitable consequences actioned by us as a club with a zero-tolerance approach, which include banning orders (some of which have already been actioned and individuals spoken to directly with regards to their behaviour), alongside other appropriate actions to the individuals which are proven to have acted in an unacceptable manner. I shall make no further comment or statement regarding this matter, other than to state that each occurrence and individual concerned within them identified, has now or will now be dealt with privately & in the correct and proper manner.
I also highlight that as a club we shall be adding additional CCTV asap around the ground, and increasing security to assist in monitoring and identifying any culprits who on the rare occasion may consider crossing a line. This all comes at additional costs to the club, which added to issues such as the above having the potential to put people off attending, this can only cost the club more money and in turn can have negative consequences to budgets and progression as a club. Whilst in this instance we will not allow the actions of a few isolated people to affect such, it is a harsh warning for all. If you are a true fan, you will consider your actions, to not only the people you affect, but to highlight how this too can knock on to the speed of progression of growth of a club.
Next, I wish to speak about club rules to all, to reiterate what all would feel go without saying. However, given the above I do feel the need to reiterate acceptable behaviour.
Our rules are simple and fair, and they are in place for the health and safety of all, from Staff, Fans, Volunteers, and anyone else who is within the grounds of the club; to ensure the enjoyment of a visit to our great football club. Health, Safety & welfare of all is paramount to us as a club. I personally or the club, will not tolerate any abuse of any kind to anyone, from Racism, Sexism, or any other form of negative or Antisocial Behaviour. To this end, we as a club reiterate our zero tolerance with regards how certain issues are approached. We wish to ensure that Hednesford Town Football Club is a safe and friendly club to visit, for all (including families) at all times. I personally bring my own family to the club most games with differing ages of children, and I do not accept or wish to hear or see any sort of this behaviour occurring. I wish for us to be a club, which grows our fans base for all the right reasons. Because we love our club. We care about the people around it. We love the football. Everyone together. We will never all agree on things, as that’s the beauty of football. But that’s what makes it entertaining….the after match debate, the joy of watching the free kick flying into the top corner, the adrenaline kick when the last minute breakaway leads to a winning goal.
To that end I remind all, that any antisocial behaviour or abusive behaviour which could be deemed as unacceptable will not be tolerated. If any occurrence is noted by anyone, please report it immediately to the club stewards (or myself, if you see myself around), and we will deal with any issue in a prompt and appropriate manner. It is not right or fair that the behaviour of a few, can spoil it for the many. If you personally or as part of a larger group be found to be acting in such manner, the easiest ‘get out’ is it wasn’t me its them. If you around the problem, often your part of the problem or at very least encouraging a situation. Any individual acting in such derogatory manner will be removed and be subject to further review and action against such behaviour. So, we encourage all fans to help us (and not just our club, but all clubs as a football family), to stamp it out. I understand football is a place that emotions spike, but this does not excuse anyone of overstepping a line of common decency towards others. A non-exhaustive list of such lines been crossed are pitch encroachment, throwing of projectiles, abusive or offensive language (including in chanting), aggressive behaviour, racism, sexism, theft, online trolling, etc. I also ask that people refrain from speculation in person or online for situations (such as last nights situation), as it also escalates unnecessary situations, and can affect people wrongly, especially with the use of online media channels. This often can be slanderous and damaging to parties often not connected or involved in situations. So again, respectful I ask for all to refrain from such, especially online.
I also wish to speak about U16s. This is a very difficult situation and I have read many views on the subject. It is not right or fair that everyone is tarnished with the same brush (for any age), and we hugely encourage all ages to support us the Pitmen. However, on the same hand everyone must abide to the rules surrounding the club (often set to us by the local authority, FA, League or Police). The use of torches on phones (looks great for night games by the way), and other non-abusive support is hugely encouraged. So, I or us the club do not wish to discourage this. However, I politely remind all to please respect all other people and the club at all times. Also, I ask that any parent or guardian stays near to their children who they are looking after. This will assist in discouraging younger groups from overstepping boundaries if in large uncontrolled groups so to speak. We as a club do reserve the right to refuse admission or remove any individual or groups of people who act inappropriately. Again, I do not state all create the issue, I just wish to clarify the balance we wish to strike between growing support and a fan base and acceptable behaviour for all.
We have taken many positive steps to stamp out any unacceptable behaviour at all levels of football at our club, to great success, however, as stated previously, this is only the start of an evolution. In summary we have so many amazing people who make this great club what it is, and I cannot and will not allow any such negative behaviour put at risk what we all as staff, volunteers, fans, the team, the management, basically everyone has worked so hard to build, both past and present.
I also add to all of the above, I apologise that I have to write the above to reiterate messages to the few, when 99.9% of all fans and people around the club have been amazing in their support. Please do not read the above as discouraging, only as supportive and encouraging for the future. We are a welcoming and family friendly club, here for everyone, whether football related or not. If you need help, you can always come and speak to us, and we will do everything we can to assist.
We have been blessed with a great pre-season show over the recent weeks, and football clubs are about the football. The love and enjoyment of the game, so lets not allow these isolated incidents by a select few people game spoil the season ahead. We draw a line and move forward positively. We cannot and shall not allow any act of unacceptable behaviour take a spotlight away of what we have seen to date during pre-season. We should be speaking about results, progress, and team development, the new kit & the new and improved ground facilities for the fans to enjoy, including one of the best new sound systems that can be heard at this level. We should look to the future, support our ambitions, and enjoy the journey together as one football family. As only together we will succeed and progress as a club.
So, we look to the future, our remaining two away pre-season friendlies, our stadium concert Party at the Park 2022 on Saturday which is set to be an epic event (tickets available at www.hednesfordtownfc.com/events), and the new season ahead with our first league home game set against Redditch for the 6th August at home with a 3pm kick off.
Lets make this a season to be proud of, lets go on the journey together.
We are the Pitmen & Ladies together.
We are #OneClubOneBadge.
I’ll see you all very soon, and I thank you all again for the wonderful support you have shown.
Kindest Regards
Graham Jones
Chairman
#OneClubOneBadge
#Pitmen&PitLadies
#ZeroTolleranceToAntiSocialBehaviour
#StampItOut
#RespectCostsNothing
