Motherwell FC Supporters' Trust

Three members of the Motherwell Supporters' Trust joined the fans' group Wellboys 86 to meet with representatives of the club and the current Match Commander. During the two hour long meeting the groups discussed issues as diverse as the possible introduction of a safe standing section and the standard of stewarding inside Fir Park.

Chief Inspector Gregor McKenzie introduced himself as the representative of the police and one of the officers who has taken on the role of Match Commander. Leeann Montgomery, who will become the club's Safety Officer at the start of next season, was also in attendance alongside Head Steward Dougie Henderson and a number of other key members of the matchday ground safety team.

Initial discussions focused on what each of the parties looked to achieve from the meeting. It was made clear that any decisions made within the ground were made to maintain public safety. Gregor McKenzie said that he had three main objective on a matchday; getting the fans into the stadium safely, allowing spectators to watch the game safely and finally to allow the supporters to exit the stadium safely. He conceded that different match commanders would have different ideas on how to achieve these goals, which may have led to some inconsistancies from match to match. However, the club and the police have begun to work closer to prevent changes in proceedure over the course of this season.

Dougie Henderson went onto explain that stewards would be rotated within stands to ensure they have a fuller knowledge of the stand and the evacuation procedures and fire points. However, it was suggested that there was an issue in consistancy from one steward to another, the Head Steward explained that there would always be slight difference in the way that each individual dealt with certain circumstances. Assistant Head Steward Ian Arbuckle said that he wanted to hear of any circumstances which supporters were unhappy with the manner of any steward within the ground.

Gregor McKenzie went onto explain the importance of health and safety within Fir Park in relation to the safety certificate and Green Guide. It was agreed that standing in the back two rows of the East Stand would be tolerated, but there were major concerns at the recent increase in occurances of 'bouncing' which had major health and safety implications. A continuation of the practice could result in the removal of the safety certificate for all or part of the stadium.

The Trust brought up a concern with the allocation of the Davie Cooper stand to Old Firm fans, specifically with two sets of fans mixing outside the East Stand turnstyles after the game. It was suggested that visiting supporters in the Cooper Stand should be held inside the ground for a few minutes at the end of the match to allow Motherwell fans to get away from the ground. Gregor McKenzie noted that this seemed a reasonable suggestion and that he would discuss this at an upcoming policing meeting. He also confirmed that the policy of closing roads around Fir Park before the match and after the game would continue after a successful trial.

All parties present have committed to meet regular throughout 2009 to maintain the relationship built during the initial meeting. Full details of further meetings will appear on the Motherwell Supporters' Trust website. Members of the Trust are encouraged to contact the Trust with any concerns relating to policing, stewarding or safety during the matchday.