FANS’ FORUM

Just a quick reminder to all Palace fans that a Fans’ Forum is being held tonight, 11 May 2012, at Selhurst Park at 7pm, in the marque on the pitch.

Steve Parish, Martin Long and Stephen Browett from CPFC2010, along with Dougie Freedman, Lenny Lawrence from team management and chief executive Phil Alexander will all be there, so this is a great opportunity to get answers to any questions you may have in relation to Crystal Palace FC.

If you have not already purchased a ticket, they will be £10 tonight.

POLICING AND STEWARDING ISSUES

Many Palace supporters will be aware of recent concerns involving policing and stewarding actions related to the home game against Brighton and the away match at Derby County.  This is a brief update.

Brighton aftermath

The Crystal Palace FC’s owners (CPFC2010) met with the police following the policing events which affected supporters after the home game against Brighton.  Arising from that meeting was an agreement that the police would meet representatives of Palace supporters’ groups at a meeting arranged by the club.  This was due to take place on 1 May 2012.  Unfortunately, the senior police officers due to attend are required at other meetings, so the meeting at the club will be rearranged for another occasion.

Derby County – Palace on Tour Day

PISA, as well as the club, wrote to Derby County FC expressing concern about the treatment of Palace supporters by the Derby County stewards at the Palace on Tour Day and the filming of the Palace support.  PISA also asked about the whereabouts of the film footage, particularly if any Palace fans wished to exercise their rights under the Data Protection Act, and view any footage relevant to them

Confidential Report

Derby County FC advised that a confidential report of the findings of a review, undertaken in conjunction with Derbyshire Constabulary, was sent  to Crystal Palace FC.  Steve Browett of CPFC2010 mentioned the report in a recent Palace programme (14 April 2012), and an apology from Derby County FC.

The reasons given by Derby County FC for not making the report publicly available for Palace supporters was that it contained confidential police intelligence, and the Crown Prosecution Service were still reviewing events of the afternoon, so making it sub judice.

Film Footage

Derby County FC’s response on the filming was that the film footage of Palace supporters was forwarded to Derbyshire Constabulary, and was being used as part of their ongoing criminal investigations.

Arrests

On the day, there were two Palace supporters arrested.  Fortunately, charges were dropped against one of those arrested, but the other will have to return to Derby in June to find out whether charges will be pressed or not.

Comments

PISA welcomes any comments in relation to the Brighton and Derby County incidents, and any other policing or stewarding matters that are of concern.  It also welcomes any helpful thoughts and suggestions for improving relations between supporters and the police and supporters and stewards, both at home and away matches – thank you.

Very Happy 80^th Birthday – to Mervyn Pierce with Best Wishes from PISA.

Hope you have an enjoyable and memorable day Mervyn, and that the Palace team play their part in making it a joyful celebration.

Many thanks for all your dedication and time given over the years in the interests of Palace fans, and fellow football supporters, and the club we all adore, both as former Chair and active member of PISA, and as a member of the Crystal Palace Supporters’ Trust Board.

Cheers!   Have a Great Eagles Day!

Congratulations and belated happy birthday from PISA to two well-known Palace legends on the celebration of their 90th birthdays:-

Palace fan – Joyce True, known to many Palace supporters as ‘Joyce the Voice’;  and

Palace all rounder – Len Chatterton, a former player, coach and groundsman  for the club, who many Palace fans will know and remember. 

Hope they both enjoyed their birthday celebrations.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE AWARDS

Congratulation too – to player Wilfred Zaha, for being named at the 2012  Football League Awards, as Young Player of the Year. 

Also, congratulations to fellow players and the manager for receiving nominations:-

• Darren Ambrose for Goal of the Season, for that great goal at Old Trafford;
• Jonny Williams for Apprentice of the Year – good to see him back from injury and playing;
• Dougie Freedman – deservedly for Outstanding Managerial Achievement.  

Palace fans can be proud of this recognition given to the club and to raising its profile.

The football world’s attention and thoughts have been focused on the Bolton Wanderer’s player Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed with cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Just to let you know that the club have advised that in conjunction with the Football League, it will be holding a minutes applause prior to kick off against Barnsley tonight.

IMPROVING YOUR MATCH DAY EXPERIENCE

Crystal Palace FC are launching a Text Alert Campaign from 17 March 2012 with the message Does something look out of place?  

The campaign aims to encourage Palace fans to text 07507 477669 and let the club know whether anything can be improved around the ground – anything from the manners of the staff to the cleanliness of the toilets.  You will see notices around the ground advertising the campaign.

The campaign follows from a PISA letter raising concerns about toilet facilities and requesting a book or means for supporters to record any incidents, concerns or suggestions for improvements.

The club have responded with the text campaign, providing a number for Palace fans to text quickly at the time an incident or idea occurs.  Most people have mobile phones and are happy to text, however others may prefer to write, or contact PISA to raise any matters with the club on their behalf.

PISA would appreciate hearing from supporters about the types of concerns and suggestions they are raising with the club through this campaign, so it can follow up with the club to see what action is being considered/taken in response to the points made by Palace fans–thank you.

FANS REUNITED DAY

A Fans Reunited Day is being held at Fratton Park on Saturday 17 March 2011 when Portsmouth play Bristol City.

Portsmouth fans are welcoming supporters from other teams as they try to “Pack the Park” and get money in to help their club survive.

Local singer/comedian Shep Woolley will be singing in the Victory Bar underneath the Fratton End from about 1pm too.

Supporters in their club’s colours can go to the “Trust Bus” – a blue single decker bus in the big car park behind the Fratton End – where a ticket can be purchased for £10.

For those unable to attend but who would like to help, please go to www.pompeys12thman.co.uk  where you can make a donation to the “pay4apal” scheme which enables Pompey Supporters’ Trust to buy tickets for people who would normally be unable to afford to go to the match.

Palace are playing Hull on Saturday, so many Palace supporters will be cheering the team at Selhurst Park.  However, for any Palace fans living in or near Portsmouth and unable to make it to Selhurst Park on Saturday, you may wish to support the Fans Reunited Day.  With Palace’s recent history most Palace fans will understand how Pompey fans must be feeling.  

Portsmouth v Palace

Palace play Portsmouth on Tuesday 17 April 2011 at Fratton Park at 7.45 pm.   Hopefully, not for the last time.  Some message board writers have suggested that Palace fans show their support possibly before and after the match for fellow Pompey fans.   Certainly, most football fans would miss hearing their familiar Play Up Pompey song in support of their team.   So, as Palace fans, let us show support and wish them well for their club’s survival.

PS – Latest news from Portsmouth is that former Palace player Haydon Mullins has gone on loan to Reading for the rest of the season – http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/portsmouth

FANS’ EVENING

Many of you will already have read about the CPFC Fans’ Evening, which will take place on Monday evening – 12 March 2012 starting at 6.30pm in the Glaziers at the Selhurst Park Stadium.

This will be your chance to put questions to players David Wright and Owen Garvan.

You will then be able to watch the Monday night Premier League match – Arsenal v Newcastle on the Glaziers’ TV screens.  Entry to the event is free.  There will be food and drink offers on the night too -

http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10323~2633777,00.html

If the evening is successful then further Monday night events will be arranged.

PISA has asked about such events being arranged in the past, so now the club is responding, hopefully as many Palace fans as possible will take the opportunity to meet and speak to the players and help the club at the same time.

So please pass on the message as news or a reminder to your fellow Palace friends and colleagues and enjoy the evening.   Thank you.

RACISM AND HOMOPHOBIA IN FOOTBALL

The Football Supporters’ Federation, Southern Division meeting on 11 March will include discussion on:

Racism and homophobia in football. Is it on the increase on-and-off the pitch? How can discrimination be defined and what can we as supporters do to challenge it?

Many supporters will be aware of the recent media attention highlighting racist and homophobic comments and chants in football.  The ‘Kick it Out’ campaign has contributed to tackling racism to some extent, however there has not been the same focus on homophobia.

Your thoughts and comments on racism and homophobia in football would be very helpful.  Particularly – What can we as supporters do to challenge it?

Please can you send comments through to the PISA website contact email address, preferably before 11 March 2012  However, this is likely to be an ongoing topic for football, so please continue to forward comments after this date.  Thank you.

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Another topic for discussion will be around name changing.

Emirates or Ashburton Grove? The Sports Direct Arena or St James’ Park? Does sponsorship give owners the right to change the name of a club’s ground?

As clubs increasingly look for ways to improve their finances and commercial links, should the name of a club’s ground be part of sponsorship deals.

If you have any thoughts or views on this topic, please forward to the PISA contact email address. Thank you.

Welcome to the new PISA website

A big thank you to the Crystal Palace Supporters’ Trust for their help in providing hosting facilities and arranging for the design of the new PISA website, at the same time as redesigning the new Trust website.

However, apologies to supporters for the delay in postings – this is due to some technical access difficulties, which may now be resolved. .

Your Help

All Palace supporters are encouraged to forward their views, suggestions and ideas that may improve the match day experience and football, both for Palace fans and football supporters generally.  Please use the contact link

Also, anyone interested in helping with improving the experience of Palace fans and football supporters are also very welcome to get in touch through the contact link.