EFL STATEMENT: STEVENAGE V GRIMSBY TOWN

Following a comprehensive review of events alleged to have taken place prior to the League Two fixture between Stevenage and Grimsby Town on Saturday 19th August, the EFL has now given due consideration to the complaint raised in respect of the stewarding operation on the day
.
On receipt of detailed observations from both Clubs, the EFL can confirm that no specific action is to be taken under its rules.

The EFL will, however, continue to work with all its Clubs to ensure that attending matches remains an enjoyable, positive experience for supporters and to assist will be issuing updated guidance regarding a number of safety, security and stewarding matters. In addition, supporters are reminded that dedicated channels exist at all Clubs and the EFL to ensure that there are professional and approachable points of contact to report any complaints or issues of concern.

Details are available via a Club’s or the EFL’s Supporters’ Charter.

Alternatively, all supporters have the right to contact the Independent Football Ombudsman (IFO) who are accredited as an Approved Alternate Dispute Resolution Body.

The  EFL  notes the  cooperation  received  in  this matter  and  in  particular  would  like  to thank  both  the management teams at Stevenage and Grimsby Town for their assistance.
-
ENDS


The EFL are spineless and not fit for purpose..
-

Perhaps our non chairman and CEO etc would like to bear this in mind next time they are bent over and ready to receive from Shaun Fcuking Harvey.

What a crock of shite.

Bunch of male masturbators.
All those involved should go to the police and ask them to start a criminal case.

Wonder what getyourfactsright has to say about this pile of excrement????

Also a boycott of Stevenage next season should be put in place, although after the last 2 results there that may be doing ourselves a favour anyway.

Wonder what the Trust think of this ?

In addition, supporters are reminded that dedicated channels exist at all Clubs and the EFL to ensure that there are professional and approachable points of contact to report any complaints or issues of concern.

..to which our response will be...the above generic letter.

Useless, but depressingly as expected.

Either the FL are not satisfied that the alleged incidents took place OR they don't see them as wrong???

[quote=932]Bunch of male masturbators.
All those involved should go to the police and ask them to start a criminal case.

If anyone committed these offences anywhere other than a football ground they would be prosecuted I’m sure.

Sky Sports News 7-30 according to #gtfc

Edit - Now 8-30

Well I am absolutely shocked by that decision, after the way the EFL have treated previous complaints (not) I fully expected Stevanage to have been cited. Never mind I still have complete confidence in Mr Harvey and the EFL, as they have the games future in their hands. I now would like to see our non chairman send a note to both Stevanage and the EFL thanking them for all their hard work in investigating these complaints before realising they were only made by a group of supporters that nobody in authority gives a fig about.

We submitted first-hand eye witness evidence from a number of fans. We did not make "observations".

They would not get away with this at Ascot, Lords or Wimbledon.

Quoted from Cloudy

Either the FL are not satisfied that the alleged incidents took place OR they don't see them as wrong???

I'm not saying it didn't happen, but was there any physical evidence about the Bras apart from word of mouth? Maybe this is how EFL and Stevenage have got away with denying it.  However, there is physical evidence of the chick in the toilet so how can they say there wasn't any breach of rules?

A flipping farce.

Quoted from Gaffer58

Well I am absolutely shocked by that decision, after the way the EFL have treated previous complaints (not) I fully expected Stevanage to have been cited. Never mind I still have complete confidence in Mr Harvey and the EFL, as they have the games future in their hands. I now would like to see our non chairman send a note to both Stevanage and the EFL thanking them for all their hard work in investigating these complaints before realising they were only made by a group of supporters that nobody in authority gives a fig about.

Why should anybody in authority give a fig when the owner of the club doesn’t either.
PS. When is the next  Shaun Harvey memorial trophy game ?

So it's not just our non-chairman who doesn't give a excrement about the fans - give them an opportunity to sweep something under the carpet and they will.

They (The EFL) are not fit to run anything, what a joke. They whole board at the EFL should resign.

Quoted from Civvy at last

Why should anybody in authority give a fig when the owner of the club doesn’t either.
PS. When is the next  Shaun Harvey memorial trophy game ?

A fortnight tonight - total boycott imperative!!

I know it doesn't do much but I like what a lot of fans do (especially abroad) get banners and stuff

Quoted from MuddyWaters

A fortnight tonight - total boycott imperative!!

Agree

Quoted from promotion plaice

Wonder what the Trust think of this ?

Exactly Luke's, get some banners made for Saturday, then our non chairman can rush round the ground de-constuctering (is that a real word?) them, at least then he could be asked of his opinion.

Send them my way, my daughter was asked on the day. Oddly enough I turned down a Look North interview about this at the time as I couldn't fit it with my work schedule

I wonder what Kristine's official (club statement) opinion and off the record opinion are?

The Trust will bow be on at 8.30pm.

After moaning about being second class citizens we’ve been bumped off for Clause Puel being appointed at Leicester

Quoted from bax

The Trust will bow be on at 8.30pm.

After moaning about being second class citizens we’ve been bumped off for Clause Puel being appointed at Leicester

Hope your spoken word is better than your typing ;D

Typing is usually my strongest point 😂

The saddest part is the whitewash is not surprising, given the clowns who run the Football League.

It was a storm in a D cup really.

Wonder if GTFC will make any comment?

If the people involved want to bring a criminal action would it be possible to fund it through donations on here and other fan forums???

John Fenty, it's time you stood up for your fellow fans. If you don't speak loud and clear about this it's time you stood down from your involvement in the club. No ifs no buts.

Ooh, the Grauniad is on the case quickly:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/25/football-league-will-not-act-over-allegations-of-bra-searches-at-matches

I would have thought that the EFL would have learnt from the FA errors in covering things up.  If you sweep all the dirt under the carpet you end up with with a big lump.

Quoted from bax

The Trust will bow be on at 8.30pm.

After moaning about being second class citizens we’ve been bumped off for Clause Puel being appointed at Leicester

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/stevenage-borough/11098589/efl-accused-of-whitewash

"It took two months for the EFL to come out and say nothing - it took them two hours to comment on [Pep] Guardiola's comments about footballs. This, we believe, shows where the League's priorities lie - and it's not with supporters." - The Mariners Trust

What can you expect from a bureaucratic institution? (rant)

Also, bloody great work again Mariners Trust, we're lucky to have you lot!

Good statement by Paul Savage there. Good analogy with nightclub bouncers.

Song for Saturday:

F**k the EFLLL
F**k the EFLLL
F**k the EFLLLL
F**k the EFL
F**k the EFL
F**k the EFL
F**k the EFLLL

Can we all sing this please? Get the message across. Spread the word. We can’t stand for this any longer.

Our game is being ruined.
Fans are being treated with contempt.
How long before another Leyton Orient type situation, which was massively down to the EFL.
How long before another club is betrayed?
How long before B teams become a bigger part of our game?

Enough is enough.

This just adds to my all round disillusionment with the game. We fans somehow need to take back our game from the cretins that are bent on destroying it. Boycotting the Shaun Harvey excrement-show cup isn't enough, we need to come up with something more. Any ideas?

Another fans game like the one against Donny Arsonists.

Anyone complained to the Independent Football Ombudsman, if not I think someone should! The EFL will S##t themselves is they start an investigation.

Also complain to the Sports Minister (Whoever they are?).

Been on their forum and Stevenage fans think we are a bunch of male masturbators and it never happened.
Dickheads

Quoted from TAGG

Been on their forum and Stevenage fans think we are a bunch of male masturbators and it never happened.
Dickheads

You did well to understand it...... read it.....them type of forums baffle me.

First of all, may I commend Paul for the excellent and professional manner in which he represented not just the Trust but all Town fans in his interview on Sky this evening. It was a stark contrast to the complete lack of professionalism and courtesy we have encountered ever since this whole sorry saga began.

While the cynic in me is not surprised by the announcement today, that doesn't stop me being incredibly angry about it. We may not have enjoyed our time as a non-league club that much but the one thing I did enjoy, and miss even more so now, is how we, as away fans, were made welcome at so many of the clubs we visited. I would far rather visit one of the non-league clubs in that locality than go anywhere Stevenage again next season or any other season.

What this announcement shows is that when fans are mistreated as we were, the EFL hasn't got the guts to do what is right. Like the FA, it is unfit to run a drinking session in a brewery, let alone our national sport.

I understand complaints are going to be submitted to the IFO against Stevenage and, I would hope, against the EFL too. I am prepared to take that action as an individual too, but I think a collective action in the name of the Trust would carry more weight. One thing is for sure - this isn't over yet.

Seeing how things tend to go and this clearly being a whitewash I hope the Trust pursue this via  MP`S .The Aluko case last week and the disgust shown from MP`S in the handling of it by the FA will probably ensure a thorough investigation takes place regarding mistreatment of our fans. Aluko only got believed after 3 investigations so it`s still early days for us.I hope Fenty sends a letter to Stevenage telling them there Directors and officials will have to go in the away end at BP or better still refuse entry on safety grounds.

Quoted from TAGG

Been on their forum and Stevenage fans think we are a bunch of male masturbators and it never happened.
Dickheads

Am I the only one who thinks the EFL believe the same?

Stevenages MP didn’t even give us the courtesy of an acknowledgement when we approached him. Couldn’t care less.

Melanie Onn has been excellent and has already been in touch again.

I am not shocked at this whitewash at all, even while sending in my statements I had the gut feeling I was wasting my time because as football supporters we are nothing more than scum to some people .For me the EFL only care about money and if your not in the championship you don't exist and have no problem with stabbing supporters in the back, SHAME ON YOU EFL

Quoted from Gaffer58

I wonder what Kristine's official (club statement) opinion and off the record opinion are?

I'm officially disappointed and off the record I'm disappointed after the huge number of hours everybody spent on it, I personally couldn't have done anymore in that investigation.

Has there been any admission, either from Stevenage or the FL, that the alleged incidents actually took place?

From a distance ( I wasnt at this game) it seems to me that they havent found any proof, be it CCTV footage or confirmation from stewards/police, that the 'reveal your bra's' actually took place?

I think we need to decide exactly what we wanted to come out of this.

Nothing can erase the shock, embarrassment, feeling of being assaulted that the female Town supporters endured that day but Stevenage were never going to admit their stewards went too far in fact they were unlikely to even admit it happened and the EFL weren't going to take action.

What exactly did we want to happen anyway? Stevenage to sack all their stewards? Stevenage to sack whoever in the club directed the stewards to take this course of action? The EFL to dock them points? The EFL to fine them?

Leaving aside the bandwaggon jumpers and nutters on here who wanted executions, a simple admission and apology is probably all our ladies were ever going to get and whilst that would been nice would it ever have been enough?

As it stands I think Stevenage FC has suffered very serious damage anyway thanks to the campaign waged on here, by the club through Kristine and in the national press in particular the Guardian. There cannot be a club in the lower (real) reaches of the EFL not aware and whose supporters will in some way, by boycotting, p!ss taking, publicising or whatever, ensure Stevenage FC suffer and never forget the incidents.

Not what the victims wanted perhaps but nevertheless a result of sorts and I reckon the stewarding at Stevenage will see a distinct improvement in attitude and politeness to all club's visiting fans in future

Quoted from EY Mariner

First of all, may I commend Paul for the excellent and professional manner in which he represented not just the Trust but all Town fans in his interview on Sky this evening. It was a stark contrast to the complete lack of professionalism and courtesy we have encountered ever since this whole sorry saga began.

While the cynic in me is not surprised by the announcement today, that doesn't stop me being incredibly angry about it. We may not enjoyed our time as a non-league club that much but the one thing I did enjoy, and miss even more so now, is how we, as away fans, were made welcome at so many of the clubs we visited. I would far rather visit one of the non-league clubs in that locality than go anywhere Stevenage again next season or any other season.

What this announcement shows is that when fans are mistreated as we were, the EFL hasn't got the guts to do what is right. Like the FA, it is unfit to run a drinking session in a brewery, let alone our national sport.

I understand complaints are going to be submitted to the IFO against Stevenage and, I would hope, against the EFL too. I am prepared to take that action as an individual too, but I think a collective action in the name of the Trust would carry more weight. One thing is for sure - this isn't over yet.

Now that's a good idea.

When we play Stevenage away next season, we should instead go on mass to the closest game geographically speaking to whoever is playing in the National League that day, and boost their support for the day and also their match income.

For the record, speaking as the Vice Chair of the Trust, I really do hope the club comes out and supports the fans on this. And I think for every minute that ticks by with silence, they are making a huge mistake.

Quoted from Ipswin

I think we need to decide exactly what we wanted to come out of this.

Nothing can erase the shock, embarrassment, feeling of being assaulted that the female Town supporters endured that day but Stevenage were never going to admit their stewards went too far in fact they were unlikely to even admit it happened and the EFL weren't going to take action.

What exactly did we want to happen anyway? Stevenage to sack all their stewards? Stevenage to sack whoever in the club directed the stewards to take this course of action? The EFL to dock them points? The EFL to fine them?

Leaving aside the bandwaggon jumpers and nutters on here who wanted executions, a simple admission and apology is probably all our ladies were ever going to get and whilst that would been nice would it ever have been enough?

As it stands I think Stevenage FC has suffered very serious damage anyway thanks to the campaign waged on here, by the club through Kristine and in the national press in particular the Guardian. There cannot be a club in the lower (real) reaches of the EFL not aware and whose supporters will in some way, by boycotting, p!ss taking, publicising or whatever, ensure Stevenage FC suffer and never forget the incidents.

Not what the victims wanted perhaps but nevertheless a result of sorts and I reckon the stewarding at Stevenage will see a distinct improvement in attitude and politeness to all club's visiting fans in future

There was an immediate improvement of stewarding as Lincoln fans who visited the very next game there will testify.

Quoted from Ipswin

I think we need to decide exactly what we wanted to come out of this.

Nothing can erase the shock, embarrassment, feeling of being assaulted that the female Town supporters endured that day but Stevenage were never going to admit their stewards went too far in fact they were unlikely to even admit it happened and the EFL weren't going to take action

Leaving aside the bandwaggon jumpers and nutters on here who wanted executions, a simple admission and apology is probably all our ladies were ever going to get and whilst that would been nice would it ever have been enough?

As it stands I think Stevenage FC has suffered very serious damage anyway thanks to the campaign waged on here, by the club through Kristine and in the national press in particular the Guardian. There cannot be a club in the lower (real) reaches of the EFL not aware and whose supporters will in some way, by boycotting, p!ss taking, publicising or whatever, ensure Stevenage FC suffer and never forget the incidents.

Not what the victims wanted perhaps but nevertheless a result of sorts and I reckon the stewarding at Stevenage will see a distinct improvement in attitude and politeness to all club's visiting fans in future

The issue has moved on from just Stevenage FC and should be firmly directed at the very governance of our game. It's not a one-off. The FA with Aluko and now this from the EFL. I'd like to see Harvey and his cronies dragged in front of a Commons Select Committee a la the FA a few weeks ago.

This should not be the end, it should be the start of a secondary process. we gave the EFL chance to act and they've ducked the question. If Stevenage as a club continue to get dragged through the mud along the way, then great, as we've not heard a peep of contrition over the matter from them.

The EFL and Stevenage have showed contempt for the female and young supporters of our club. We shouldn't just shrug our shoulders and let them be treated in that way. If it stops now it gives credence to the idiots who are making out that it was just a made up story.

Time for our non-chairman and MP to step up and take this forward as I'm sure the Trust are more than willing to fight to expose the truth..

Quoted from TAGG

Been on their forum and Stevenage fans think we are a bunch of male masturbators and it never happened.
Dickheads

Town fans definitely need to boycott this ground, I’ll never step foot in it again, let’s hope other fans from other teams follow suit.👎

Quoted from cmackenzie4

Town fans definitely need to boycott this ground, I’ll never step foot in it again, let’s hope other fans from other teams follow suit.👎

Already on the list.

1. Stevenage
2. Forest Green
3. Cheltenham (though people who went the other day said it has improved, is this the case?)

Quoted from bax

For the record, speaking as the Vice Chair of the Trust, I really do hope the club comes out and supports the fans on this. And I think for every minute that ticks by with silence, they are making a huge mistake.

No great surprise though Bax is it?

The announcement from EFL states after consultation with both clubs. GTFC are aware of the investigation and its findings but as ever the fans (& IMO, The Trust) are being treated like a pimple on the clubs backside

I understand that the response from the EFL was requested by both Hollywood & the FBI.
Apparently, Harvey Weinstein was disguised as a Stevenage Steward at the game. Any comment from the'paragons of justice' in the EFL would jeopardise investigations on the other side of the Atlantic !

Quoted from Cloudy

No great surprise though Bax is it?

The announcement from EFL states after consultation with both clubs. GTFC are aware of the investigation and its findings but as ever the fans (& IMO, The Trust) are being treated like a pimple on the clubs backside

Don't forget what was said in the Stevenage statement:

After liaising with Grimsby Town’s safety officer, the police and others, it was indicated that prohibited items were likely to try to be brought into the grounds and could be passed onto those deemed less likely to be searched, such as women and younger supporters.

This resulted in a joint club and police decision to implement a full, 100% compliant, searching regime as part of the condition of entry.

Grimsby Town’s Supporter Liason Officer was made fully aware of the nature of the search regime prior to the game, to ensure all attending were aware and could allow sufficient time to access the stadium.

I really hope that a massive over reaction from an alleged incident involving a tampon last season hasn't resulted in this. Official statement needed asap.

Quoted from Vance Warner

Don't forget what was said in the Stevenage statement:

After liaising with Grimsby Town’s safety officer, the police and others, it was indicated that prohibited items were likely to try to be brought into the grounds and could be passed onto those deemed less likely to be searched, such as women and younger supporters.

This resulted in a joint club and police decision to implement a full, 100% compliant, searching regime as part of the condition of entry.

Grimsby Town’s Supporter Liason Officer was made fully aware of the nature of the search regime prior to the game, to ensure all attending were aware and could allow sufficient time to access the stadium.

I really hope that a massive over reaction from an alleged incident involving a tampon last season hasn't resulted in this. Official statement needed asap.

Yet it all turned out to be not factual......  As far as I am aware no previous incidents such as that were part of this investigation.

The club put out its own release debunking that. Because it's not factually correct.

Quoted from bax

The club put out its own release debunking that. Because it's not factually correct.

That's good to know. Probably highlights why an official response to this is needed to stop people drawing their own conclusions.

Has anyone considered that our own fans may have played a part in this with their smoke bombs. We are hardly blameless. There is no smoke without fire.

Quoted from AlfredTheGreat

Has anyone considered that our own fans may have played a part in this with their smoke bombs. We are hardly blameless. There is no smoke without fire.

Not sure what smoke bombs has to do with asking pensioners to lift up their tops?

Labour Football Twitter page tweets it’s support for the cause. What was all that about not mixing politics and football again?

Such a shame, I usually enjoy the day out down there as a whole.. (Other than the last few games obviously)

Quoted from gtfckyle

Such a shame, I usually enjoy the day out down there as a whole.. (Other than the last few games obviously)

We've only ever played there twice!!

The longer the board's silence, the longer it stinks.

I'm not defending fenty and the club, but let's recognise that they don't all sit in Blundell park all day. I'm sure there will be discussions between the key people as soon as is possible, and they will produce a statement appropriately. Let's not use this as a chance to bash the club, as ultimately, if we are going to challenge this injustice, everyone is in this together. If it comes to next week then i will be more critical, but I'd prefer a response from the club that is thought out rather than quickly thrown out there. Let's remember this is a sensitive subject, not in line with the share issues and what not we usually get club statements about.

Quoted from SteveHessle

I understand that the response from the EFL was requested by both Hollywood & the FBI.
Apparently, Harvey Weinstein was disguised as a Stevenage Steward at the game. Any comment from the'paragons of justice' in the EFL would jeopardise investigations on the other side of the Atlantic !

;D

Did anyone see a steward wrapped in a towel exposing himself.

The lack of action from our non chairman is disgusting, women and children have been put in an embarrassing situation with no screens to protect dignity due to made up reasons. Female stewards in the male toilets too the actions of the stewards that day smack of perversion, the FA has form for allowing this to go unpunished, Harvey is a total nincompoop.

Quoted from Mariner Ronnie

Already on the list.

1. Stevenage
2. Forest Green
3. Cheltenham (though people who went the other day said it has improved, is this the case?)

Yes

Still the same bunch of cheating girl privates on the pitch though.

Quoted from Mariner93er

I'm not defending fenty and the club, but let's recognise that they don't all sit in Blundell park all day. I'm sure there will be discussions between the key people as soon as is possible, and they will produce a statement appropriately. Let's not use this as a chance to bash the club, as ultimately, if we are going to challenge this injustice, everyone is in this together. If it comes to next week then i will be more critical, but I'd prefer a response from the club that is thought out rather than quickly thrown out there. Let's remember this is a sensitive subject, not in line with the share issues and what not we usually get club statements about.

What is there to think about? It's not rocket science. The Trust were surprised yet somehow managed to put up cogent statements including one in person on the TV.

It would be nice to see we're all in it together, but let's be honest, it was John Fenty making statements last season about women smuggling smoke bombs in tampon boxes that probably contributed to this sort of situation in the first place.