On September 18th members of the board of Banbury United Football Club met with the Supporters’ Liaison representatives. We were very grateful to Thames Valley Police for also attending part of the meeting. The Supporters’ Liaison was set up earlier this year but this was the first time a formal meeting had taken place. Both parties are pleased to share the following summary of the meeting and all participants are happy to discuss more details and any other issues with fans, in person.

Attendees:

Banbury United FC board members: Ronnie Johnson (RJ), Claire Dumbreck (CD), Lisa Dixon (LD), Dan Kelly (DK),
Supporter Liaison: Brian Baker (BB), Craig Whittingham (CW).
Thames Valley Police: Alex Locke (AL), Phil Ashlee (PA)

POLICING

New, constructive relationships and an open dialogue between the Club, Supporter Liaison and police have been established, following the airing on both sides, of a number of issues from the past two seasons. The Club and Supporter Liaison have a much clearer view of the role of the police and what they are there to do.

Phil Ashlee and Alex Locke from Thames Valley Police (TVP) provided a broad introduction into the policing of football in the UK and how TVP is structured from the top down to assisting on the ground with public order and public safety at Banbury United on matchdays. Alex Locke is Banbury United’s Dedicated Football Officer (DFO) who is supported by “spotters” – uniformed police that we see at the ground. Football is overseen nationally by the Football Policing Unit (UKFP).

Topics introduced by PA and AL included: how anti-social behaviour is on the up across the UK, at football and other events, especially among younger people; TVP’s aim of engaging with the Club and spotting potential problems; how risk levels of groups and individuals at football matches are assessed; the grading of low, medium and high risk matches and how the police handles and resources accordingly; how the ground and car park are down to the Club to manage as it’s their private property and the police are there to support; how arrests are not the only solution for criminal behaviour, especially youngsters and first time offences, house visits to Banbury fans have taken place and are very effective; how some of the disorder issues outside of the ground are not caused by spectators but other people who come down; some of our matches are used to provide new police offers with exposure to different grounds across the county/force.

PA discussed how the relationship with the Club is now very positive: new culture of enforcing ground regulations and introduction of warnings and behaviour contracts; bans issued to a handful of individuals; introduction of a safety officer; information-sharing agreement in place. There are regrets on both sides over some issues in the past: for example, admission that we could have worked together earlier when the Club was first promoted to the National League North last season; intelligence over Chester home match last season; communications around the holding back of fans at the Hereford match last season; inconsistent approach in the past from the Club to public order and safety concerns.

RJ explained the extreme pressure the board is under, because of certain fan behaviour, from the police, licensing and Council health & safety etc. CD said we have taken this challenge on as a new board, things look really positive after the last few matches and we need to work with the fans to move forward to get to a place where we are no longer under this level of pressure and can become self-reliant as a club.

Better communications between police and fans
TVP will consider tweeting details ahead of matches that are of a higher risk than normal to set expectations about their presence at matches (horses, drones etc.) so fans are not surprised. This goes for situations where spectators may be held back for some reason. TVP is increasing its presence on Twitter/X to better engage with the footballing community.

TVP are prepared to speak to members at the Club’s forthcoming AGM.

STEWARDING AND GROUND REGULATIONS

The board will meet shortly with its security company to discuss, among other things, the process of searching spectators as they enter the ground. Searching will become more targeted to identified risk groups and in line with current adherence to the ground regulations, with the aim of creating a pleasant matchday experience.

* OCTOBER UPDATE: this meeting has occurred and hopefully spectators noticed a difference at the match v Blyth Spartans.

CW and BB both relayed several examples of issues with stewarding and this was highlighted as fans’ main concern. This included the OTT searching of older people, and some younger people, and it was reported that this is putting some people off coming to matches. Feedback to the board from away supporters echoes this.

It was also raised, from feedback to the board, that spectators are staying away because they are worried about anti-social behaviour. The board recognises that measures to improve effective and appropriate stewarding address both positions.

As long as matches pass without objects being thrown, as has been the case in recent fixtures, the need for such detailed searching naturally decreases.

The qualification of the security company was questioned. LD confirmed that the key managers and supervisors are the required L3-qualified in sports venue stewarding.

Continued enforcement of ground regulations
CW commented that with the behaviour notices, people are guilty by association, and this is also resulting in people staying away from the club. RJ clarified that there has been one “ABC” issued and five banning orders.

As stated above, when ground regulations are followed by spectators and known to be enforced fairly by the Club, the involvement of the stewards can recede, for everyone’s benefit. We are already seeing the positive results of this.

AWAY COACH TRAVEL

Seats for away coaches will be communicated and allocated both on- and off-line in future, to give all fans a chance to purchase.

* OCTOBER UPDATE: this system is now in place.

Tickets for the Nantwich coach sold out incredibly quickly and this upset some would-be online customers. This has never been an issue before where sales are usually below the threshold.

Board to liaise with Supporter Liaison in good time if/when there is no away coach

With two long distance fixtures in early 2024 possibly requiring overnight stays for the players, and for other reasons that may arise, it could be the case that there is no away coach for certain matches this season, as was the case with the South Shields match. The board will communicate this to the Supporters Liaison at least three weeks in advance if possible, in order for independent supporter travel to be organised.

Longer term and in line with most clubs in our league, it is likely that the team will want use of the team coach exclusively and so it would be good if regular supporters’ transport could be arranged and supported by fans, so it is financially viable. The Club will support that with communications, adding to the number of travellers.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS

The PA in the Town End cannot be heard well. Board to investigate. * OCTOBER UPDATE: better positioned speakers will be in place shortly.

CCTV to be installed around the ground. A grant has been applied for.

Jay Williams (player) deal – moving to Brackley and then Crawley.

Improved social media presence for Banbury United in the Community. This is in progress.

Various marketing ideas including a flyer drop to the estates in Banbury and investigating combined ticket offers with businesses and sports groups.
RJ concluded we are a fan-owned club and supporters are urged to come forward at any time with ideas of how they can assist the club as volunteers. This applies across the board – people with a few hours to spend helping out at the ground in the afternoons, to businesses willing to donate materials, to graphic designers and potential Board members.

Bi-monthly meetings have been agreed with the next meeting in mid-November.

A date for the Club’s AGM will be issued shortly.