6:27pm, Wed 30th Sep 2009
Following our recent game with Newport I apologised to supporters about events that spoiled the matchday experience for some. I further said that we would be urgently reviewing our arrangements to ensure that afternoons would not be spoiled in this way again.
We began by holding an internal meeting, including Operations Director Peter Jordan and Safety Officer Anthony White, to review our procedures and consider how we could have prevented the events of 19 September. One outcome of this meeting is the intention to have more trained stewards at Kingfield in the near future.
Additionally, I am pleased to be able to let you know that, as a major part of this review, I have today met with Neighbourhood Inspector Lynette Shanks of Woking Police. We have concluded an agreement that will mean the presence of two uniformed police officers at each home game from here on, at no cost to Woking FC. This is because the arrangement is one aspect of a partnership between the club and Woking Police which will also involve football coaching as an element of Police initiatives within the local community. Woking FC is a family club, rooted firmly within the people and the Borough of Woking. This partnership is further evidence of our deep commitment to further developing our relationship with those people and the Borough.
We are grateful to Inspector Shanks and her colleagues and look forward to working with them to further our aim of making Woking FC a family-orientated focal point for the town.
Shahid Azeem
