Anybody at the ground - why are the cops and security talking to Shaun at the end of the game here?
Been a while since I've used this account, I'm usually the one behind the Podcast posts, less so recently.
Security came and told us to sit down due to Covid in the first half, which is when we first did "Stand up for the Mariners", we stood back up not long after a few chants and Matty's goal.
We got work that Shaun had told security to leave us alone, so we continued standing.
At half time the cops stood at the front of the bay trying to think up what to say until about the 66th minute when they told us that "The head of the A-league has been in touch and told us to get you to sit down. You've had your fun, just give it a break and don't stand all the time"
So, obviously we were under the impression that it was okay to stand from time to time.
So we all sat down, and I texted Greg O'Rourke to find out if this was true.
We kept chanting, but obviously, the atmosphere had died a bit.
Then, a reply from Greg, Shock and horror, the cops lied to us! He hadn't spoken to the police at all.
So we stood back up in the ~83rd minute and kept on chanting.
Then about the 89th minute the two cops and two security started to come back up, we all sat down again complying with their previous order.
They told us that "We weren't complying and that we had to leave".
"The conditions of entry are written on the ticket" - Yeah, nah, they weren't.
"You stood for two minutes, which is too long" - I love how they move the goal posts.
"You stood whilst drinking"
So, I asked him rather vigorously why he lied to us about Greg O'Rourke and if he'd like to chat to him as he hadn't done so previously. His open mouthed face was priceless.
Then every one around the 4 seemed to be in yelling at them, The second time the "Stand up for the Mariners" chant was used as a "I am Spartacus" moment.
Some staff jumped to our defence (I won't name names), and then Shaun was summoned and acted as brilliant diversion until the final 3 minutes of extra time were played out, which at the end of we quickly left to the front of the grand stand.
All in all, was great to be singing again and have a roof over our heads to reflect and reverberate our voices for a change.
Was hoping to be back on the pod this afternoon, but I'm quite out of it today, so I'll have to take a rain-check.
-Edit, Greg O'Rourke also said he'd be speaking to the NSW police force on Monday (yesterday).
I'm sick of being treated more harshly compared to over sporting codes fans.