Morecambe game steward is banned by Bradford City (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Member of security staff reported to be ‘aggressive’ will not work for City again

8:30am Monday 11th October 2010 in News By Steve Wright

A football steward accused by fans of being “aggressive” when trying to get away supporters to sit down at a Bradford City game will not work for the club again.

Club officials have confirmed the man – a registered security agency steward rather than Bradford City staff – did not react in the correct manner and was immediately removed from that area of the ground.

Some Morecambe fans complained that stewards had acted aggressively at a Valley Parade clash on October 2 when they tried to confiscate a drum and follow football authority guidance to make fans remain seated for safety reasons.

City’s facilities manager David Dowse has defended the actions of the stewards, saying they had behaved correctly and had had to deal with people turning on them in an aggressive manner.

But he has now confirmed the club has told the security agency it did not want the steward at matches in the future. He said: “Clearly, it is a situation where he did not react in the right manner – although I would suggest it was in extreme provocation. But we cannot have that sort of reaction.”

He said all agency staff were licensed, but the club would review on an individual basis whether they were suitable. But Mr Dowse said the situation was not a cause for concern.

He reiterated that it was wrong to brand stewards at the club as aggressive, rejecting further claims by a Bradford City season ticket holder.

The fan was in the TL Dallas stand and saw the events unfold in the Morecambe end. He said: “The stewards were being forceful and aggressive.

“This isn’t the first incident we have seen over the past couple of seasons and some of the lads employed seem hell-bent on getting a reaction.

“This behaviour from our stewards has to stop. They may have a job to do and need to be telling fans to sit down, but when they go into a crowd with such aggression they are creating a bigger hazard than the one they are trying to prevent.”

But Mr Dowse said: “Why is it always the stewards who are at fault? I have issues with some of the things being said. All people have to do is abide by the crowd regulations. If they are doing things which are contravening the regulations, or affecting public safety, we will take the appropriate action.”