Now I've lived with heartaches
And I've roomed with fear
I've dealt with despair
And I've wrestled with tears
[Chorus]
I can't stand up for falling down
I can't stand up for falling down
I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down - Elvis Costello
With so much to be positive about at the moment, it will probably seem a little churlish of me to bring up a concern but it is one that I 've long been worried about, involving an issue of health and safety at the BPA that I think probably needs addressing sooner rather than later.
It relates to the the steps that access the main stand. They are steeper than at most grounds and seem narrower and, because they are concrete based (I think), when they are wet they can be a little slippy underfoot.
Now for most folk, they are perfectly accessible and I'm sure they've passed all the relevant legislation regarding the safety of spectators at sporting venues. But simply because the ground has been certificated as safe, doesn't mean that additional measures can't be implemented to ensure even more protection for those watching the game.
I sit in one of the rows towards the back of the stand and have done since the ground was first used opened in 2004. Many of those who sit around me have too. Over the last 18 or so years, we've grown older and our bodies a little frailer, commensurate with our age. In the last couple of seasons several fellow supporters have found the stairs increasingly difficult to manage, These aren't folk who are too old to be out and about or to attend a game at the BPA, just people who find all stairs a little difficult. But the steps at the BPA are doubly so for the reasons mentioned above.
I'm not sure what the club's view on this is - perhaps because there's not been a major incident then that's proof enough that it isn't an issue. My argument though is that too often many of us sitting towards the top of the stand watch on with some trepidation as spectators shuffle up and down, stopping for a breather or wobbling on their heels as they steady themselves for the next few steps. I sit on the end seat of a row, against the aisle, and regularly I've a hand on my shoulder as someone strives to steady themselves before pressing on.
I honestly believe that the vast majority of supporters who regularly sit on rows J or above will have had kittens at some point in the season as they've watched someone whose a little unsteady on their feet negotiating the steps.
Several supporters whom I'm aware of, still in good health but just a little unsure on their pins, no longer come to games because they feel they aren't always in control when climbing the steps. Others have had to change seats, away from friends and family members in order to sit lower down or right at the back where they can access the stand via the main lift - but seats are at a premium there.
And there were two occasions last season where a supporter fell, fortunately backwards and ending up seated on a step rather than falling forwards. But it could have been so much worse.
I mention this now because the visit last Saturday to Castle Park, home of Doncaster Knights, brought home to me just how easy it would be to address most of the worries that some supporters have around this, as well ensure that the club has done everything it can to maximise safety.
I do appreciate that time catches up with us all eventually, but if we can provide spectators or those with minor mobility issues, with an opportunity to keep using the stand for a little longer than they might otherwise do, then isn't that something that should be looked at?
The solution is simple. Put a hand rail on the last seat of each row before a break. It wouldn't have to be on both sides of the steps, just on the one side to allow for those supporters who aren't quite so confident. Instead of having to grip on to the shoulder of the person sitting in that seat (presuming there's someone there), the person climbing the steps has a fixed bar that provides all the stability needed.
Okay, it would be an expense, not a great one though, but even if it was just up one set of steps, it would mean those who felt a little uncertain or unsure, could feel more confident in using main stand and, working with the club, could reserve a seat in close proximity to the rail.
The other way in which it would be beneficial is at the end of the game when there are frequently two adults to a single step at any one time, with most looking to leave quickly to get to the bar or the car park for a speedy exit. If attendances grow as Cov continues to enjoy success on the pitch, then the numbers accessing and exiting the stand will also increase. And so will any potential risk.
If the club do feel that all the necessary precautions are in place, then fine. I just think that it is potentially an accident waiting to happen; minimising the risk to supporters' safety is something worth considering.
On a happier note, a shout out for Donny's catering. They only have a small area given over to hot food in the main bar area, but it is very efficient and is renowned for its 'cow pies'.
Anyone who's been to Donny will know all about them. The club is famed for them and supporters are proud that they have become such a well known part of the Donny match day experience.
In fairness, the photo above probably doesn't do it justice - on a fresh Spring afternoon, it was just the job.
Cov could do with having something similar - a food which everyone associates with the club. The Koffmann's link gives them that option, too. The Koffman's van is always parked up on a match day in the 'street food' area opposite the 22 at the railway ground end. And they do a lovely burger - and with a little tweaking a basic burger in a bun could well become the 'Academy Burger' and the full monty, burger, cheese etc the Team Burger or something similar.
There's also a strong link , I think, between Koffmann's and Simon Martin who is on Coventry's Board (he's also James' dad) - so that would work well.
Okay, it's tongue in cheek, but Donny's cow pies show how easily it is to create an additional selling point for the club, simple changes that provide a talking point for supporters, both home and away. And that generates interest which, in turn, helps pull in the punters.
Again, following on from yesterday's post, I've been giving further thought to what Coventry could add to it's name to make its branding a little more commercial. Coventry Bears (with it's obviously link to Warwickshire and the ragged staff) has already been taken, as has Godiva. But with the city's links to the car industry, Coventry Jaguars would work, as would Coventry Jets, given Sir Frank Whittle was born in Coventry. Or indeed Coventry Meteors ( the Meteor being the first plane to use a Whittle-designed jet engine - although it's full name was the Gloster Meteor, but we can 'gloss' (apologies) over that bit!).
Dick Whittington was also a member of one of the city's guilds of craftsmen, but I'm not sure Coventry Dicks is quite as marketable....
No, matter, I'll keep working on it.
It's the principal that's important. Other clubs, across most sports, have adopted a tag of some sort - it's a way of attributing a particular trait to a team, maybe strength or power or speed. Tapping in to it provides a focus for their supporters, a sense of unity and togetherness as well as excitement and energy,
It's something that would doubtless upset the traditionalists and excite the modernists but in the end I suppose it's the the sponsors and investors who'd have the biggest say.
The king is back...
Great to see you back Tim and certianly much food for thought....especially the cow pie. Phil