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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Apr 18, 2024 9:42:51 GMT
I have been contacted by a responsible football journalist who is looking into safety and comfort concerns expressed by some fans of other clubs about the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough, both inside and immediately outside the stadium and asking if we had any problems on our recent visit. This is obviously a potentially very sensitive topic given the history. Our party of 3 didn't experience or witness any particular problems. But if you did, and would be willing to speak to the journalist, please PM me with your contact details.
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Post by spiderpuss on Apr 18, 2024 12:50:47 GMT
No problems whatsoever Malcolm. Staff were helpful and friendly and pointed to your correct seat. Overall seemed a safe experience and there was no way random gates would have been let open, everything was ticketed with secure entrance turnstiles.
What I would say is how much longer are Wednesday going to wait until they modernise this part of the ground? It's still pretty cramped in places and to the left there's a huge section that was obviously unused since 1989 (looks to be previously a standing area). It's shocking that they've done nothing with it. Demolish it and give it a full modernisation.
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Post by walrus on Apr 18, 2024 15:12:38 GMT
. What I would say is how much longer are Wednesday going to wait until they modernise this part of the ground? It's still pretty cramped in places and to the left there's a huge section that was obviously unused since 1989 (looks to be previously a standing area). It's shocking that they've done nothing with it. Demolish it and give it a full modernisation. It was actually converted to an all seater area and in use full time till 2007 and occasionally till 2012. The seats were removed a few years ago. It doesn’t meet modern safety standards so can’t be used currently but that isn’t directly Hillsborough disaster related. |
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Post by skip on Apr 18, 2024 15:54:07 GMT
Haven't been to Hillsborough for years but the space outside the away end is frighteningly small given the size of the stand.
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Post by wakeypotter on Apr 18, 2024 16:53:46 GMT
Haven't been to Hillsborough for years but the space outside the away end is frighteningly small given the size of the stand. That’s what I thought last week. You can see why the disaster happened. As to how safe it is who knows Looks like it needs knocking down to me |
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Post by bhp on Apr 18, 2024 16:59:37 GMT
No price list for the bar, is that legal?
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Post by mickstupp on Apr 18, 2024 17:01:02 GMT
It was my first time going to Hillsborough. Strange because I’ve been to Bramhall Lane loads of times, but there’s been large chunks of time where we’ve not been in the same league and I’ve just not had the opportunity. I digress, but to anyone who went in the past, has the leppings land stand changed at all since the disaster other than to have seats in the lower tier? Is the outside area and concourse still the same as it was back then?
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Post by mickstupp on Apr 18, 2024 17:02:13 GMT
No price list for the bar, is that legal? No, there should be an accurate tariff available and visable. |
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Post by bhp on Apr 18, 2024 17:05:32 GMT
No price list for the bar, is that legal? No, there should be an accurate tariff available and visable. It needs mentioning because there was nothing. £5 for a bottle of carling should also be illegal |
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Post by chayseeoatcake on Apr 18, 2024 17:09:24 GMT
Shocking away end.
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Post by werrington on Apr 18, 2024 17:19:04 GMT
It was my first time going to Hillsborough. Strange because I’ve been to Bramhall Lane loads of times, but there’s been large chunks of time where we’ve not been in the same league and I’ve just not had the opportunity. I digress, but to anyone who went in the past, has the leppings land stand changed at all since the disaster other than to have seats in the lower tier? Is the outside area and concourse still the same as it was back then? The only difference is seats in the lower tier otherwise it’s as it was that dreadful day |
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Post by ChesterStokie on Apr 18, 2024 17:25:57 GMT
I have been contacted by a responsible football journalist who is looking into safety and comfort concerns expressed by some fans of other clubs about the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough, both inside and immediately outside the stadium and asking if we had any problems on our recent visit. This is obviously a potentially very sensitive topic given the history. Our party of 3 didn't experience or witness any particular problems. But if you did, and would be willing to speak to the journalist, please PM me with your contact details. Is this 'responsible' journalist looking to write a balanced story? If so, why is he only wanting to hear from people who had problems? For what it's worth the view from my seat in the upper tier was excellent, the legroom was much better than in a lot of other newer stadiums, the atmosphere was fantastic, the only steward I engaged with was most pleasant, and I felt perfectly safe throughout. The only very minor problem I had was that there appeared to be some Stoke fans around me who were not sitting in their allocated seat so I had to move one seat to my right. |
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Post by wakeypotter on Apr 18, 2024 17:31:24 GMT
No price list for the bar, is that legal? Only one bar in lower stand is that legal 😁 |
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Post by leicspotter on Apr 18, 2024 17:41:30 GMT
It's clearly looking very dated, as is the entire stadium, but the only 'safety' issue I could see was the very narrow exit stairs, however, everyone around me took their time exiting the ground, so no issues arose.
I can see how this might be a bigger problem if there was ever a need for an emergency evacuation
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Post by Scouse on Apr 18, 2024 17:43:58 GMT
The outside has changed significantly , much greater space now between the outer wall / gates and the turnstiles .. with the capacity much reduced , even before the Newcastle game , meaning less build up of crowds around the ground and in particular Lepping lane pre match .Tunnel 2 , however , the one leading to the central pen on the fateful day was highlighted by the Newcastle fans as a cause for concern during their game
Had a seat in the upper tier , saw no issues of concern on the day ..though didn’t stay on the upper concourse long on arrival , nor did I enter it during halftime ..it’s dated , but doesn’t give the same concerns as say Villa or QPR
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Post by sportsman on Apr 18, 2024 18:02:17 GMT
Haven’t been for years but I remember the turnstile being just about wide enough to fit a 10 year old through.
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Post by maninasuitcase on Apr 18, 2024 18:14:15 GMT
The exit stairwell from the upper tier was very narrow and looked like it has been covered with some scaffolding and a polycarb cladded roof. Looked very rickety.
I can imagine if there was an emergency it would have been pretty tight under panic.
Whilst im all for the good old days, the concourse, food outlets, egress all look woefully dated.
It kind of reminded me of bloomfield road when the old spion kop was partitioned off from the crumbling sections.
The whole place has bags of character, but it needs a complete rebuild or move.
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ajh
Spectator
Posts: 18 
Member is Online
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Post by ajh on Apr 18, 2024 18:34:05 GMT
We didn’t have any problems with safety although some of the facilities are a bit primitive. However, I was charged twice for half time refreshments as the person serving me said that my first attempt to pay was unsuccessful and I was asked to try again. I have contacted Sheffield Wednesday directly although they did not respond to my initial email contact and I had to call them today. I am now awaiting a response having provided a screen shot of my account.
It was only £6 but I just wonder if this is a common occurrence
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Post by nottsover60 on Apr 18, 2024 18:42:03 GMT
It's clearly looking very dated, as is the entire stadium, but the only 'safety' issue I could see was the very narrow exit stairs, however, everyone around me took their time exiting the ground, so no issues arose. I can see how this might be a bigger problem if there was ever a need for an emergency evacuation To get a safety certificate from the local council one of the conditions is that you have to be able to evacuate the ground within a certain time limit otherwise you can't use it. |
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Post by senojbor on Apr 18, 2024 22:56:13 GMT
No problems whatsoever Malcolm. Staff were helpful and friendly and pointed to your correct seat. Overall seemed a safe experience and there was no way random gates would have been let open, everything was ticketed with secure entrance turnstiles. What I would say is how much longer are Wednesday going to wait until they modernise this part of the ground? It's still pretty cramped in places and to the left there's a huge section that was obviously unused since 1989 (looks to be previously a standing area). It's shocking that they've done nothing with it. Demolish it and give it a full modernisation. We stood in that standing area when we played West Ham in the league cup SF replay. It was horrendously steep and over crowded and no wonder it's not in use now |
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Post by ladyinred on Apr 19, 2024 12:41:02 GMT
Apologies, anecdotal as it was the fella next to me.
I was sat in Row 4 of the Upper Tier
Basically he and his kid only appeared after half-time, the reason they had accidentally entered the lower tier. Now, he takes some of the blame, but surely the ticket system shouldn’t allow it.
He and his son spent the first half, standing in the aisle of the lower tier as they couldn’t access their upper tier seat. This was corrected after half-time.
- Lack of price list for the refreshment kiosk was surprising.
- Egress at the end of the game was cramped, but fans took their time
- area outside away end blocked off, couldn’t walk around the ground, access the club shop etc without going back through the housing estate
Other than that, decent day out
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Post by greenman on Apr 19, 2024 14:49:29 GMT
It's clearly looking very dated, as is the entire stadium, but the only 'safety' issue I could see was the very narrow exit stairs, however, everyone around me took their time exiting the ground, so no issues arose. I can see how this might be a bigger problem if there was ever a need for an emergency evacuation To get a safety certificate from the local council one of the conditions is that you have to be able to evacuate the ground within a certain time limit otherwise you can't use it. Are they bothering with one of them now? They didn`t used to bother. |
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Post by redstriper on Apr 19, 2024 15:22:46 GMT
We were in the lower tier as my friend had brought his wheelchair-bound mother. The Staff were very helpful and courteous, the only issue being there was not quite enough room for all the wheelchair people. The ground is tired but I enjoyed the whole experience, it reminded me of a seventies matchday, nostalgic. Minor gripe that the stewards allowed some "incitement" when Sheffield scored.
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Post by theonlooker on Apr 19, 2024 16:03:34 GMT
Staff seemed a bit nervous where we were in Block U of the upper tier. As if they had been briefed to expect trouble.
Had to check my watch and check the date as we bought drinks and had the tops removed. Thought is was 2001 for a moment.
Facilities were absolutely dreadful overall.
Four lanes chippy delightful as usual...
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Apr 20, 2024 9:11:37 GMT
I have been contacted by a responsible football journalist who is looking into safety and comfort concerns expressed by some fans of other clubs about the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough, both inside and immediately outside the stadium and asking if we had any problems on our recent visit. This is obviously a potentially very sensitive topic given the history. Our party of 3 didn't experience or witness any particular problems. But if you did, and would be willing to speak to the journalist, please PM me with your contact details. Is this 'responsible' journalist looking to write a balanced story? If so, why is he only wanting to hear from people who had problems? For what it's worth the view from my seat in the upper tier was excellent, the legroom was much better than in a lot of other newer stadiums, the atmosphere was fantastic, the only steward I engaged with was most pleasant, and I felt perfectly safe throughout. The only very minor problem I had was that there appeared to be some Stoke fans around me who were not sitting in their allocated seat so I had to move one seat to my right. It's fair question, Chester, but I wouldn't be dealing with him if I wasn't confident about his motivation and professionalism. It might be be partly down to the way I phrased it - I think he is interested to find out whether other clubs with a large following had problems as has been reported to him and, if so, what they were. But I will ensure that he sees the full range of responses on here including your own positive experience. |
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Apr 20, 2024 9:17:49 GMT
To get a safety certificate from the local council one of the conditions is that you have to be able to evacuate the ground within a certain time limit otherwise you can't use it. Are they bothering with one of them now? They didn`t used to bother. Certainly are. It is the responsibility of the local Safety Advisory Group, which is a Council committee. The Sports Ground Safety Authority ( formerly the Football Licensing Authority) lays down the standards in the "Green Guide" and has local inspectors. So I think the regulatory regime is quite strong. The journalist is also in contact with both of those bodies. |
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Post by boothenender on Apr 20, 2024 15:16:56 GMT
Hillsboro' is an old stadium.
The view from the Kop End is not bad.
If you ever go to Hillsboro' again pop in to their club shop.
It puts our shop to shame.
Great merchandise for sale and plenty of serving staff.
Outside is a small area for families to sit and small footy pitch so the kids can havea kick about.
The "concourse" at the Kop end is very old fashioned and open to the elements, but i really do enjoy a day out at SWFC.
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Post by ChesterStokie on Apr 21, 2024 11:16:28 GMT
Is this 'responsible' journalist looking to write a balanced story? If so, why is he only wanting to hear from people who had problems? For what it's worth the view from my seat in the upper tier was excellent, the legroom was much better than in a lot of other newer stadiums, the atmosphere was fantastic, the only steward I engaged with was most pleasant, and I felt perfectly safe throughout. The only very minor problem I had was that there appeared to be some Stoke fans around me who were not sitting in their allocated seat so I had to move one seat to my right. It's fair question, Chester, but I wouldn't be dealing with him if I wasn't confident about his motivation and professionalism. It might be be partly down to the way I phrased it - I think he is interested to find out whether other clubs with a large following had problems as has been reported to him and, if so, what they were. But I will ensure that he sees the full range of responses on here including your own positive experience. Many thanks Malcolm. Are you able to tell us the name of the journalist, or at least let us know if and when the article is published? I'd be quite interested to read it, even if Stoke City don't get a mention  |
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Apr 21, 2024 21:16:28 GMT
It's fair question, Chester, but I wouldn't be dealing with him if I wasn't confident about his motivation and professionalism. It might be be partly down to the way I phrased it - I think he is interested to find out whether other clubs with a large following had problems as has been reported to him and, if so, what they were. But I will ensure that he sees the full range of responses on here including your own positive experience. Many thanks Malcolm. Are you able to tell us the name of the journalist, or at least let us know if and when the article is published? I'd be quite interested to read it, even if Stoke City don't get a mention I’ll certainly ask , Chester. And there will be no problem in directing you to the article if/when published |
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Post by greyface on Apr 22, 2024 12:27:28 GMT
Brilliant away day. Great views, great atmosphere, wonderful looking stadium. It will be a shame when all stadia look the same as ours.
Only saw 1 bar and 1 food outlet and 1 toilet block for 4000 people though, don’t know if this was because I didn’t see the whole area though?
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