Last Saturday From The Other Side Of The Fence

[headhoncho]

Afternoon Everyone

Let me start by saying that the result was not at all what we had been looking for, but I am an eternal optimist when it comes to our team, and I do believe we will bounce back with a vengence on Saturday.

On another note, the behaviour of the supporters on Saturday was very good indeed. other than the throwing of a few cups of beer on the park, during ad after the game.

I think it doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that the overwhelming majority of our supporters come to games with one aim on mind, to watch the reds win a game of football.

But it only takes one or two people who throw things onto the park to have everyone tarred with the same brush. I sincerely encourage the atmosphere we have at BMO, but lets keep all that energy to supporting the boys and not to doing something stupid that will have a long lasting effect on all of us.

it doesn't take me long to get over a loss, especially when in five days time the boys will have the chance of redemption against Kenny Cooper and his Dallas pals.

Look forward to seeing you all again on the weekend, keep believing boys and girls.

[Jack]

Good to see you posting here, Mike.

Things were tough on Saturday as it was a difficult match to watch and the weather certainly didn't help anyone's mood.

You'll find that on here the majority are in agreement that we don't want to see anything thrown on the pitch and that message has been sent loud and clear to all the members of Red Patch Boys.

[Shakes McQueen]

Who is this, Jack?

- Scott

[egoodwin]

Good to see you posting here, Mike.

Things were tough on Saturday as it was a difficult match to watch and the weather certainly didn't help anyone's mood.

You'll find that on here the majority are in agreement that we don't want to see anything thrown on the pitch and that message has been sent loud and clear to all the members of Red Patch Boys.

question about Dallas is, will we run over them like in year one at home

or will the Refs continue to fuck us over drastically like they did on the road in year one (2 penalties) and at home last year ( 2 red cards)

[headhoncho]

Good to see you posting here, Mike.

Things were tough on Saturday as it was a difficult match to watch and the weather certainly didn't help anyone's mood.

You'll find that on here the majority are in agreement that we don't want to see anything thrown on the pitch and that message has been sent loud and clear to all the members of Red Patch Boys.

After our chat on Saturday Jack, hopefully first of many with you and the guys, i have no doubt whatsoever that these are isolated cases, I am sure together we will weed them out and make sure we, as supporters of TFC, are only known for our passion for our team and the support we give, within the lines.

[Hitcho]

^ security team?

[Jack]

After our chat on Saturday Jack, hopefully first of many with you and the guys, i have no doubt whatsoever that these are isolated cases, I am sure together we will weed them out and make sure we, as supporters of TFC, are only known for our passion for our team and the support we give, within the lines.

That's what it's always been about.

BTW, it's probably a good idea if you let everyone know who you are as people will wonder (like Scott did above)

[Kevvv]

Carver!


(lol)

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

question about Dallas is, will we run over them like in year one at home

or will the Refs continue to fuck us over drastically like they did on the road in year one (2 penalties) and at home last year ( 2 red cards)

Dallas is a better team then their record indicates and TFC has To come out with all guns firing Saturday..take at the minimum 4 of 6 from Dallas
over the two games that would be terrific...6 out of 6 a bonus :}

[Hitcho]

After our chat on Saturday Jack, hopefully first of many with you and the guys, i have no doubt whatsoever that these are isolated cases, I am sure together we will weed them out and make sure we, as supporters of TFC, are only known for our passion for our team and the support we give, within the lines.

I'm 100% in favour of this.

Although secretly I can't help thinking it would be nice if, just once a season, we could literally drown an opposing player in streamers for a few minutes at a corner, just like the good old days...

[headhoncho]

That's what it's always been about.

BTW, it's probably a good idea if you let everyone know who you are as people will wonder (like Scott did above)

Good thinking Jack>

My name is Mike Burns and I am the Director of Security for MLSE. I am not going to bore you all to death with my history, but as Jack, Phil and some of the other guys know, I have watched football for many years and I am now working with a tremendous bunch of people both professionally and also within our supporters community to make sure, we, as TFC supporters continue to give that atmosphere and passion to our team to help make them the best they can be.

[Jack]

Thanks Mike, welcome to our message boards.

[Hitcho]

Welcome Mike!

"I am the Director of Security for MLSE"

Does this mean we have to be nice to you?!

[headhoncho]

Thanks Jack

I am looking forward to keeping in touch with as many of the guys as possible, whether on here or at the park. Feel free to say hello or whatever else you think you might like to say.....

[headhoncho]

Welcome Mike!

"I am the Director of Security for MLSE"

Does this mean we have to be nice to you?!

Absolutely not....well....

[Toronto_Bhoy]

Just a question, and not specifically to Mike, but what exactly is the punishment for throwing "projectiles" on to the pitch?

Are they severe enough to be used as a deterrent?

Just curious…

[BuSaPuNk]

Welcome to the boards Mike. Nice to see security getting on board with us and what we want to achieve in the stands. Welcome. It's time for a sticky thread "Ask Mike!"

[Roogsy]

Welcome Mike.

Personally...I want to wish security all the best and I know with cooperation from all sides, this can work.

And I hope that if your guys catch someone throwing something...they've given you the power to not only escort them off the property, but to ban them for good.

The rest of us want to support our team and watch some football. That's all. I hope you realize that. Lord knows the media don't.

[dee-spot]

I would also like to know what power you have when it comes to people throwing things on the pitch. We were only a few rows behind the asshole that threw that beer at Ljunberg on Saturday. We were too far away to stop it from happening but we were yelling at him and afterwards a security guy was looking up at the crowd and we all pointed him out and the security guy looked at us and let us know he knew and then nothing happened! Why didn't they take him away?? I was so pissed off that he got away with it!! There should be a 'no tolerance' towards things like this. He and his friends were totally pissed and they probably got their tickets off some scalper and won't be back again but it's people like him that give us all a bad name. I wouldn't hesitate pointing these idiots out but what's the point if nothing is done about it.

[TFCREDNWHITE]

Just a question, and not specifically to Mike, but what exactly is the punishment for throwing "projectiles" on to the pitch?

Are they severe enough to be used as a deterrent?

Just curious…

Me too Mike, What is the punishment??

Personally i think you should just give'em a stern talking too and i'm sure they won't do it again...

[Carts]

Thanks Jack

I am looking forward to keeping in touch with as many of the guys as possible, whether on here or at the park. Feel free to say hello or whatever else you think you might like to say.....

Welcome Mike...

Thanks for coming on here and saying hello, making yourself known...

I'm confident the team will succeed on the pitch, and we will succeed in the stands - that being supporters & security working together (gasp!) to keep BMO bouncing & loud, while keeping the 1% who want to stir it up out...

Carts...

[Rocco]

Personally i think you should just give'em a stern talking too and i'm sure they won't do it again...

just a talking to? This isn't preschool where we can go stand in the corner for 10 minutes for punishment.

And I hope that if your guys catch someone throwing something...they've given you the power to not only escort them off the property, but to ban them for good.

spot on... I can add by saying throwing a projectile can be something you can get charged with. If you were walking down the street and throw something at someone, it counts as an aggravated assault. If it hits them, you can be charged with attempted murder. Zero tolerence is the key. Along with PA announcements before the game and during halftime reminding the fans.

[trail]

Although secretly I can't help thinking it would be nice if, just once a season, we could literally drown an opposing player in streamers for a few minutes at a corner, just like the good old days...

I agree that beer and other items should not be thrown on the pitch.........but streamers is one of the great parts I look forward to sitting in courners!!

[BFin]

Great to see you on Mike!

[Steve]

Hi Mike, welcome to the crazy house. I would advise you to not take what people say too seriously (except for me of course).

Quick question, has anyone from any news outlet contacted you for a statement (regarding how you view the fans and such)? I ask since TFC fans seem to be developing quite the poor reputation in the community recently, and I figured you might be a good person to have quoted in the media (assuming, of course, you don't actually think we're hooligans). Has anyone at MLSE thought about maybe "talking to" some media contacts about this? Having articles quoting Mike, Paul, etc, to try to downplay the "soccer fans are all crazy, never take your kids to a game" view that seems to be growing?

[Pookie]

Just wanted to add support for what you are trying to do re: throwing of objects.

I also wanted to say that despite the negative press, I owe you security guys a round of applause. Over the last two seasons, I have brought my own kids and players from the soccer team that I coach down to the games.

To a person, they have all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and felt completely secure both in and outside the stadium. I'd say that a trip to BMO was one of the more memorable experiences in their lives.

One favour though, could you get the HeadConcessionsandServicesHancho on here? There are a few things we'd like to discuss.

[Chevy]

Just wanted to add support for what you are trying to do re: throwing of objects.

I also wanted to say that despite the negative press, I owe you security guys a round of applause. Over the last two seasons, I have brought my own kids and players from the soccer team that I coach down to the games.

To a person, they have all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and felt completely secure both in and outside the stadium. I'd say that a trip to BMO was one of the more memorable experiences in their lives.

One favour though, could you get the HeadConcessionsandServicesHancho on here? There are a few things we'd like to discuss.

+1. My kids also have a great time attending games, but the threat of one of them getting nailed with a beer/bottle/etc troubles me, along with the pre-game crush at the gate (which isn't that bad, but could potentially be very problematic).

[Pookie]

^ troubles me too but it has never happened and sounds as though there will be a concentrated effort to stop and hopefully punish it (I'd love to see ticket privileges revoked).

I'd love to know that they have adopted CCTV at some point to be able to track down an offender should something like that happen.

In fairness too, when we take the kids we tend to find tickets in the 123-124 sections. My son did come with me and sit in 110 last year but I don't think that is a good place for him. Has nothing to do with anything "hooligan" related but has everything to do with the fact that he can't see the game when everyone is standing.

Those tickets cost more obviously but he gets to see the game which is the point.

[Chevy]

Yep. 1st offence - ejection/fine. 2nd offence - banned. period.

[S_D]

Yep. 1st offence - ejection/fine. 2nd offence - banned. period.

I think that your idea of the first offense it too lenient to be honest. The second offense is all good by me except include in the banning, loss of season's tickets and all rights to them.

Many people love their season tickets. Many would never dream of chucking stuff onto the pitch because they don't want to face a ban.

What concerns me the most, is who are the people who get caught and escorted out. Are they ones who buy from scalpers, or are they just the few who own seasons (or gave them to a friend) and don't really care because they know they can come back at the next home game.

What I suggest is first offense, The ticketed seat is SUSPENDED for x amount of games. And I am not talking about 1 or 2 games. Make the suspension really HURT. 5-10 games.

And here is a suggested process. It would not be cumbersome to do as it is not like we have 100's of people doing the bad stuff. It is only a few bad apples.

The owner of the ticket is contacted by registered letter and informed of the suspension. They have to sign for the letter to confirm it has been received. When the ticket is scanned at the entrance and it comes up as suspended, the ticket holder is refused entry. If they try and get in more than once, suspend the ticket for the season.

If it is a normal go to every game season ticket holder, they may just think better of throwing something because they would miss their beloved TFC. If they don't, they get to watch it on TV. If giving their ticket to a friend, they will certainly use their judgement if they think their friend is a drunken ass or wanna be hoolie.

If it is a scalper's seat. The get punished for selling to idiots. They lose money. And if they ignore the letter and sell the ticket anyways, they have knowing committed an offense (fraud?) because they are selling a ticket to an event that they know they are not allowed to use. (remember the registered letter).

This may have a negative impact on an innocent fan, but it will also make people think twice about buying from a scalper, and a scalper may start using his judgement as to who to sell their ticket to.