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Elected into his position by way of a secretive process behind closed doors, involving men in funny gowns who some say have been involved in years of cover ups and deception. He is now idolised across the world, with people travelling far and wide just to get a glimpse of him, desperately hoping that he will address the crowds and impart his wisdom. When he speaks, the world listens. But enough about Terry Butcher. The Pope's visit to Scotland is a hot topic this week. I doubt he's got an appointment scheduled with Terry, but I was reminded of a previous encounter between the two. Naughty Aussies

Not everybody that attended the game was spoken to by the police/stewards. I enjoyed the afternoons entertainment, but why do we need to have our own fans indulging in this game with the stewards. This comment may not be to everyones liking, especially those that were targetted by the stewards, but lots of folk attended the match without any hassle. I appreciate that the stewarding was not handled very diplomatically, but why is it always the same ones under scrutiny? Does that mean that stewards across the country are all wrong or god forbid, are there some fans not adhering to the policies within the SPL stadiums. In fact, this goes on all over the leagues if they care to uphold the letter of the law. We were asked to sit down at QOS last season. I stood up on occasion at Easter road but being longer in the tooth than most, I sat down after my outbursts and nobody approached me. It takes two to tango, so unless we are squeaky clean and within our rights, then do we have a leg to stand on............erm, maybe thats not the wisest cliche to use, but you know what I mean. They have the CCTV footage, not us.

Hi Guys? my names Lee Mclennan and a run the Edinburgh and Livingston H.S.C? I would like to Apologise whole heartedly the way you were all treated at Easter Road i can assure you we are very angry as all we seen it as if you were trying to make an atmosphere, your lads and lassies done a fine job is getting a bit of an atmosphere going and it was outrageous as what our finest and stewarding have done to you. I have a lot of respect for you guys coming all the way down to Edinburgh and watching your team full credit to you all and a hope you keep continuing to do so. I have been treated fantastically when i come up to the Highland capital being welcomed to your supporters club for drinks and food. pitty our record is dreadful!! ?but i would have expected the same treatment for all you guys so i will be chasing this up constantly will Hibernian our club and if you have any questions or comments please email me and a will let the club know of them [email protected] Stuff the Hertz on Saturday ? Thanks Lee?

Indeed I was standing at Killie, but nobody asked me to remain in my seat. Thanks for the negative dots by the way. I posted this, not because I think the stewards are correct, but because some of our own fans are threatening to stop going along to Easter Road. Why? It's a fantastic ground, normally a great atmosphere and sometimes three points for us. I see no reason whatsoever that young guys should spend ?60-?80 on a day out to watch a few minutes of football before being removed from the ground. Money must be easy to come by these days. Is it a game....lets see who can get thrown out first, after all they won't throw us in the cells and we can go to the pub and watch the scores there? Sorry, but I am missing the point of supporting our own team here. Yes the stewards were ridiculous, not only at Easter Road though. Maybe some folk need to look at their own actions before condemning the actions of those enforcing the rules. Some of it is for safety, but in this case it is for sheer jobsworthiness. If fans are prepared to bend the rules, should they not expect to face the inevitable repercussions that go along with this? The Hibs fans are backing us, they probably want to stand as well, but without seeing it and hearing it close up they don't know the whole story. Too many wind ups going on and if someone did that to you in the street you would probably lamp them. Bottom line for me, is enjoy the day out, support the team and stay within the regulations, then nobody can have any complaints, not even the stewards.

It is quite handy as the gate that they take yer money off you is the same gate that they throw you out of.

As far as I understand it a Steward cannot use Physical Force on anyone unless that person is posing a risk to them, those around them and/or has committed an indictable offence (an offence which would be tried in a magistrates court)...which would allow them to use reasonable force to detain you until a police officer arrives to take over. The laws for treatment of adults and children is pretty much the same from what I gather, although children do have some additional rights under the Child Protection Act. With regards the enhanced disclosure...not sure. I know that those working security in hospitals, community centres etc are all required to have it as they could potentially have to deal with children and vulnerable adults and it's not a huge leap in logic to say that similar could occur at a football match and as such it should be required. In short, unless a person (adult or child) is acting in an aggressive/confrontational manner and/or is posing a risk to safety* of others then a Steward should not lay so much as a finger on them. (*Going by the letter of the law/legislation [sPL Rules are not Law] then standing does not, in itself, pose a risk to safety).

I agree with TM4TJ....to a point. Everyone knows the rules and by purchasing admittance to the game you agree to adhere to those rules. However, the problem arises due to "human nature". None of us like being told what to do, especially in an aggressive or insolent manner and many of us don't react kindly to such treatment. When we "break" a rule then none of us can have complaint if we are pulled up on it, however we do have complaint when the action is disproportionate to the "offence" being committed. The more disproportionate the action taken against us, the more we dig our heels in and the more pig headed we get. Right or wrong, that's human nature, and those working in a steward/police roll should be more aware of that than most. You then have the fact that as a relatively small travelling support we tend to make it easy for police and stewards to single people and/or small groups out. Add to that the pressure these guys are under from the SPL and the Clubs to spend a disproportionate (there's that word again) amount of time and resources on petty matters such as standing and the odd sweary word instead of dealing with the real problems in some crowds and at some games and it's no wonder the whole thing is a shambles. Heading slightly off topic, but police and stewards are quick to play the "bigger crowds are harder to handle" excuse....nothing but BS IMO. Why? Because if they are claiming a crowd is too big for them to effectively maintain order then they should not be allowing that crowd to gather in the first place. Solution? Limit the number of tickets supplied to clubs where they have a known problem. It won't happen as we all know that money talks and it's easier for them to get their quotas and/or look like they are dealing with issues by ignoring the main ones and focusing on the easy targets. I actually think it's a credit to the likes of ourselves and other smaller travelling supports in the SPL that they haven't (yet) caused a major incident as a result of the treatment they face from police and stewards at some grounds. I also would like to know why the police were in there. It is not against any law/legislation to stand at a football game in Scotland....it is nothing more than an SPL rule. If you are asked to leave by a Steward and refuse, it then becomes a matter of public disorder and police can be asked to assist, but until that point, they have absolutely no jurisdiction whatsoever when it comes to telling you to sit down.

I think it was shoes of for the champions not too sure...

It also say in the report that Hibs say there where no arrests which is utter B**llocks. MY mate got charged and being charged now he is back up in Inverness. On the matter of going back to Easter Road again, then yes I certainly will............without a doubt. Despite all the goings on it was truely entertaining and with all this fuss I would love to see what there actions towards ourselves doing the same would be. Finally, I can not wait to see the Hamilton visit and the reaction they get, I would expect there to be a few more fans than us due to the distance being considerably less and I can not wait to see all of them having a wonderful afternoon sitting down, who knows they might be lucky enough to be told to be silent or even even more they could very very very lucky and get chucked out for coughing? Who knows? They'll have to wait and see. ;)

Have a nice time in the main stand mate( rustle rustle) i'll be in the section G North stand, dont like early KO time though - upsets my beer rythm.

Is it worth wondering if Johndo's green dot record breaking post may have drawn the attention of football "intelligence" police unit and that they would have been wary about not being seen to do something? What happened the last time there was a suggestion of trouble at TCS? As I recall there was an increased police presence.

I reckon we are at our lowest ebb right now. Lack of real quality and no leadership. What's the answer? I don't know, there is a long list of objectives that need to be prioritised and rectified before we drop even further. We are a footballing embarrassment, and it goes right through the whole system. I lost the urge years ago to get enthusiastic over Scotland games. I still try and watch them, but the excitement has gone. Very few Scottish players in the top English teams right now, that was always the benchmark, now we pick them from Scottish clubs or Championship sides at best..........says it all really, bring on the local footy.

Weren't you involved in this one? Sanctimonious old git!

Great post CaleyD. I was wondering what the legal situation would be in terms of a Steward manhandling a child of the age of 16 or under? Are Stewards subjected to an enhanced Disclosure Scotland check and are they trained in restraining people? Purely a hypothetical question and asked out of curiosity.