Look, the Brigantes have done bloody wonders with the songs, the flags and reinforcing that "proud even when we lose" attitude that Wigan fans had already shown in the past (especially 2006). More power to them. One thing I will say, and I realise I'm probably in a minority of one here, is that I don't like fans throwing things on to the pitch from the stands/terracing. Even if it is till rolls (which is what it looked like on Friday).

I can appreciate that stewards and police cannot, by training and by the rules they operate under, take a relaxed attitude about fans throwing anything on to the pitch - and I don't want unnecessary trouble created between them and the fans. I think Wigan fans are creating enough of a great atmosphere at games anyway without bog/till rolls being chucked.

I'm glad it wasn't just me that thought it was all a bit over the top. We were sat with the Saints fans so didn't see anything like that. But we brought a couple of cans of Lucozade in with us, not knowing you weren't allowed. We did see people getting searched at the away turnstiles. When we were drinking them in the concourse a female steward asked us how we got them to which I replied "we bought them from the shop". She told us to drink them quickly before the cameras picked us up. Then one of her colleagues came over and asked if she'd dealt with us and made a couple of jibes. Nothing malicious but very petty.

We got there 2 hours before kick off and I like taking pictures of the grounds I've been to. I asked a steward if I could get into the other stand to take some photos. He told me no but I could ask the head steward. I walked up to the head steward who in the most blunt way told me "absolutely not. This is a sell out." - didn't even make any eye contact with me and his tone was as if I was a piece of dirt on his shoe. Again, nothing massive and I know it's the rules but I've never had a problem getting into stands before. Was hardly gonna do a runner and leg it into another seat when the ground was 1/10 full. That wasn't a problem, it was the way he spoke to us. You get the feeling with the stewards and the Police that they'd have been better at a Football game.

Yet when that bloke ran on the pitch none of them had a clue what to do.

How do you know all this Bigredwarrior? You're either a copper, spent the whole pre-match walking round the turnstiles, or are making it up.

I'm not trying to deny any of it happened, I'm just intrigued as to how you know it all did.

I'm a Wigan fan but right first time. I'm a police officer and I work in St Helen's.

Unlucky

Case closed

In which case; do you know the numpty with the stick?
If so, tell him how much pleasure he gave us in entertaining us for half an hour matching round yet not knowing his elbow from his .

I know him very well. He's a great bloke but even I was amused by him on Friday.

Can I ask you Bigredwarrior (in your capacity as a Police Officer) if you think it was appropriate action to evict a lad (he looked under 16) from the ground for alledgedly throwing a toilet roll?

Personally, although not condoning people throwing toilet rolls, I think it is way over the top. I also wonder how the steward managed to pick this lad out of the crowd?

As a policeman could you tell me if it's an offence for a police officer to spread malicious, unfounded rumours and untruths about an innocent group of fans?

It is a condition of entry and that decision is one for the stewards. The police assist the stewards to prevent a breach of the peace. Basically, to stop people kicking off with the stewards!

It's supposed to be a deterrent to stop others doing it. Clearly it didn't work. It does semm OTT but I understand the reasons for it. There have been times when bricks and bottles are put in the roll and hit other fans.

Did they have the lids on?

big red - thanks for your honest reply and I accept your answer.

Can I ask that you pass onto your colleagues that we feel the stewarding and policing was over-zealous and to keep order at such events in future it may be better to take a more pragmatic approach.

The went for the smallest, youngest lad they could find. 15 years old. Threw him out without his jacket which had his money and train ticket home in it.
I believe his Grandad had to leave the stadium as well to make sure he was OK

The bobbie with the stick was hilarious. Not a standard looking Police truncheon, more a kind of polished baseball bat, the kind they probably get after 50 years service or something. Stood there slapping it into the palm of his hand mouthing "you're next" to 14 year old kids

Also, stewards were thieving stuff from the fans they searched. Seeing as they are from a firm of bouncers I'm reluctant to leave a name & address with FIOS or the Police.

Already done it mate. I commented on it at the end of the game. There were hardly any stewards around the rest of the ground but loads in front of us. That inspector will be attending a full debrief on Tuesday and he will present the feedback to the club. There was a big presence as it was the first full house and some twitchy bums! I think it'll calm down as they get used to bigger crowds.