Welcome to Penydarren Park? By the Ponty Martyr

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There has been a lot written and spoken of recently about the new security protocols when attending a game at PP. Most of which I wholeheartedly agree with. On Saturday I mingled with Macclesfield fans in town, and in Romans bar before the game. No problems, even discussing our young crew of boisterous young ones, who we both agreed on that every club has. Walking over to the turnstiles I noticed a young Macclesfield fan who was probably about 11 or 12, having a metal detector run over her coat. The steward was nice and said the girl and her parents to have a good day and enjoy themselves. I understand some games will need extra security but does a young girl need to be searched with a metal detector? Apart from their win, not doubt, the second thing they’ll take away from their day at PP is the overzealous stewarding.

I noted a Merthyr fan on Facebook who sits in the main stand, when asked were they could get food, they would have to go to Holvey’s tea bar, but they then may not be allowed back to their seats. What a fabulous match day experience for that fan.

I wasn’t at the Oxford game, but having spoken to many, the stewarding seemed to be over the top for the 40 or 50 fans that travelled up from Oxfordshire.

 I’m long in the tooth to remember the bad old days of football hooliganism, the fences, being treated as criminals for just attending a game of football. While I’m not saying that it’s starting to go back to that, it’s certainly not a welcoming atmosphere at PP currently.

The club has also been very quiet on the situation, albeit now putting out a statement on the Sunday. Whilst some of what was in that statement was understandable the problem is that it’s influencing a lot of normal match goers, even to an extent where people are thinking of packing it in. Surely the board should now have an open meeting with supporters to discuss this. I’ve really enjoyed this season, we were one of the favourites to go down, took the league by surprise for a few months. Sadly, we lost two of our best players in the January transfer window, and the boys brought in to replace them have struggled a bit. Hopefully a good pre-season with a couple of new signings, can cement our place in this league, and then hopefully push on. It’ll be sad for this to end, due to crowds dropping off due to the current match day goings on.

I enjoy a match day, you meet your mates, you can talk some nonsense and have a great time and an even better laugh. Probably essential for a lot of people these days. Let’s not forget things like that, hopefully the board will see sense and get some fans perspective. Let’s not ruin a good thing.

Ponty Martyr


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