Facilities (or lack of for away fans)

**Battery Rover** · 07/04/2007, 1:19 PM

Last night in Tolka the travelling support from Athlone (about 100 of us) were asked to sit in the Ballybough end of the ground behind the goal to endure what was an apalling 90 mins of football.

Our manager approached one of the stewards requesting that we be allowed into either the Riverside Stand or the home stand at one end as behind the goal we would be able to see very little. Then one of our committee approached the steward who was manning the gate between our end and the long stand and again asked if we could be moved. This was again refused.

I asked a steward myself who was genuine and really polite why we couldn't be let into the Riverside Stand and his reply was that Ollie had said no one was allowed in there and he said that it was the orders they were under but yet Dundalk were allowed in there.

Personally I have no issue with being segregated from home fans as it in this case it was in the interests of safety but if you are going to do this then surely as supporters who have paid in to support our team we should should at least be treated as equals.

The seats at that end of the ground were filty with moss growing all over them. Surely if these seats are to be used then a power hose wouldn't cost that much to hire for them to be cleaned.

We had no access to a shop of any kind so were unable to even get a half time refreshment. The few supporters that made it to Burdochs had to remove colours to do so. Someone selling water or minerals would have done us

Surely since it was a evening kick off the least you could do would be to put a bulb in the gents toilet. If you cant afford one then I am sure the next group of away supporters there can bring one for you.

For the first time in my life and I have attended matches all over the world I was searched along with other supporters going into the ground. Is this a new policy for your games?

I really believe we have a great product with Eircom League but it is things like this make the difference between getting a first timer back through the gate again. For a club that for years represented our league brilliantly in Europe it was disgraceful.

I know you had to endure St Mels for years but we have moved forward and are providing facilities for both home and away supporters as this is the least that any fan deserves.

I know this is nothing to do with you but maybe some of the Shamrock Rovers fans reading this might bring it up with their 400 club committee and try and get these little jobs done.

I am looking forward to my next trip to Tolka Park as myself along with all Athlone fans enjoyed their trip even though the result and the football might have been better.

To cap of the night even some of your "Schooligans" as we were crossing the Drumcondra Bridge threw stuff at our bus but were having an off night and missed.

**GavinZac** · 07/04/2007, 1:22 PM

Q. How many Shels players does it take to screw in the light bulbs in their jacks?
A. Players?

**Dodge** · 07/04/2007, 1:31 PM

Originally Posted by Battery Rover

We had no access to a shop of any kind so were unable to even get a half time refreshment

Thats a breach of UEFA licensing. Let the league know.

**Raheny Red** · 07/04/2007, 1:44 PM

Why not post this on the Shels forum as you will get answers

The BoM do read the forum!

**pineapple stu** · 07/04/2007, 1:47 PM

Originally Posted by Battery Rover

I know this is nothing to do with you but maybe some of the Shamrock Rovers fans reading this might bring it up with their 400 club committee and try and get these little jobs done.

Can't imagine Rovers fans wanting to put money into another club's ground. The SSDG, on the other hand, had said little ground improvements like this was on their agenda, I think?

**Battery Rover** · 07/04/2007, 1:48 PM

If a moderator feels that this post is more appropriate in the Shelbourne Forum can they move it

**GavinZac** · 07/04/2007, 1:50 PM

Originally Posted by Raheny Red

Why not post this on the Shels forum as you will get answers

The BoM do read the forum!

because, as it pertains to away fans, it will generate further anecdotes of the inadequacy of the tolka park experience. im sure very many people have had disturbing experiences in that ballybough pitch black p'ss hole.

**Dodge** · 07/04/2007, 1:59 PM

It should be in el, for the reasons given by GavinZac

**Raheny Red** · 07/04/2007, 2:41 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

because, as it pertains to away fans, it will generate further anecdotes of the inadequacy of the tolka park experience. im sure very many people have had disturbing experiences in that ballybough pitch black p'ss hole.

I understand that but if the lad is looking for answers he is better off asking on the shelsweb!

**khoop** · 07/04/2007, 2:45 PM

Originally Posted by Raheny Red

I understand that but if the lad is looking for answers he is better off asking on the shelsweb!

Oh you mean there is an explanation? Let's hear it!

**forza** · 07/04/2007, 3:03 PM

2 jax between 300 Pats fans last night shambles

**Patrick Dunne** · 07/04/2007, 3:30 PM

Two portable toilets for away supporters is reasonable.

Terryland has two separate toilet blocks, with handicapped facilites.
Their condition is amongst the best I've seen in the EL.

**forza** · 07/04/2007, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick Dunne

Two portable toilets for away supporters is reasonable.

Terryland has two separate toilet blocks, with handicapped facilites.
Their condition is amongst the best I've seen in the EL.

The home toilets maybe..

The away ones i was one of the first Saints in the ground weren't lets say in the best of shape suitable for UCD fans I think

**pineapple stu** · 07/04/2007, 3:37 PM

Does that last sentence make any sense?

Unless you're suggesting the jacks were a bit on the small side.

**LeixlipRed** · 07/04/2007, 3:43 PM

khoop. get off your high horse. What ground do Rovers play in?

Several of the issues raised aboove have simple answers.

Q. Why were you searched?
A. We have a schooligan problem which the club are trying to clamp down on. Who objects to being searched if they've nothing to hide?

Q. Why were you put in the Ballybough end?
A. For security reasons. You had a few geezers with you as well and they couldn't be mixed in with our crowd. For example, the 20 or so gougers cheering "I;d rather be a Paki than a Dub" before the game. Delightful.

Q.Why weren't you in the Riverside?
A. You think the Ballybough end is bad? The Riverside is worse. Dundalk had to be inthere because of their numbers.

But your complaints about refreshments and the toilets are valid obviously. The toilets in Tolka are a disgrace. Any Shels fan will admit that. Email our BOM and complain. They'll get back to you no doubt. tolka certainly isn't the worst ground in the league. Turner's Cross for example, has one portaloo for all the away fans. Two maybe if its a big game. No handwashing facilities at all. So get off our backs. the club are trying to get things right. You'd swear Tolka was the Vicarage Road of the Eircom Leagu