The official statement:
Prior to the game on Saturday an arrangement had been reached with the Police to have their resources outside the ground on the basis that the Club's own stewarding and security was of a sufficiently robust standard to deal with any difficulties caused by away supporters. The Club has proved that it is capable of stewarding its matches in difficult circumstances on a number of occasions having a record envied by most other Clubs.
Prior to the game on Saturday an arrangement had been reached with the Police to have their resources outside the ground on the basis that the Club's own stewarding and security was of a sufficiently robust standard to deal with any difficulties caused by away supporters. The Club has proved that it is capable of stewarding its matches in difficult circumstances on a number of occasions having a record envied by most other Clubs.
On Saturday at the match against Leicester City fighting broke out in the north end of the West Stand (block w) when it was discovered that four Leicester City fans had found themselves in that area. As a result the Police Commander of the day was forced to take the action of calling in the resources that he had outside the ground to quell the situation where police officers and stewards found themselves at the centre of a fight where Southend fans were fighting not only the four Leicester fans but amongst themselves as well. This action has cost the Club £8,000 in additional police charges, money which in all honesty could be put to much better uses.
I never stop seeking to understand why such mindless aggression exists in a sport which more and more is becoming a true family sport. What I do know is that I, the Board and Management of the Club will not tolerate such incidents and where possible the strongest action will be taken against those persons involved.
CCTV images are currently being processed to identify the culprits who once identified will be served with permanent banning orders.
Geoffrey King
Chief Executive
There had been a strong response from many Blues supporters, the following was posted on the ShrimperZone message board from Norfolk Shrimp.
This is the biggest load of cobblers I've heard the club come out with for a long time, the facts are;
1 - The "stewards" who were in east black were woefully inadequate, I had a perfect view from the South Upper Blue, pathetic, if that's the standard they operate to then my kids won't be coming back to RH.
2 - The club could save a damn site more than £8k by getting rid of Jobson, he's been flying under the radar for years, totally useless and signifies all that is bad about our club, too wrapped up in his perceived own importance.
3 - The last time we had Leicester at RH they were a bunch of aggressive pr@cks, doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that after a day on the beer and given the importance of the game to both sides there could be trouble.
As for what went on in the West, can't comment, wasn't in there and too far away to see but it out of character for our fans to "start", maybe they did I don't know but how the hell did away fans get in there ?
There were 4 guys sitting behind me in the South Upper in the first half, at half time they went over to a steward and were duly escorted to the away end, why weren't they ejected for buying tickets in the home end and who was the bird brain that sold them the tickets. Not hard is it, you're not on our booking system as previously purchasing tickets so we need to see some ID sir. How hard is that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those who were in the West Stand insist there was no fighting between fellow Southend supporters.
The debate continues here:
www.shrimperzone.com/vb/showthread.php?t=50930