The Welsh and Scottish FAs, together with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland, have registered their interest in staging the competition.

Whilst joint bids have been successful in the past this would be the first time that a tri-nation tournament would be allowed to stage the tournament.  However, with the competition due to expand from 16 to 24 teams in 2016 the opportunity for three host nations to be involved cannot be ruled out.

At the current time Turkey is favourite to land the tournament, subject to them not being awarded the 2020 Olympics, with Michele Platini offering his support.  Georgia has also expressed an interest.

The Celtic national associations have 18 months to decide whether to submit a formal bid.

Today marks the 27^th anniversary of the Bradford City fire disaster.

54 jubilant and expectant supporters, many of them covering generations of families, came to cheer their team parade the Third Division champions’ trophy; two others were simply there to see their side complete another season.  None were to return home.

For the families of those who died at Valley Parade that Saturday afternoon the pain is still strong.  It is equally strong for those who suffered horrific burns trying to escape the inferno, for those who were stood elsewhere and simply witnessed it and for staff who were looking forward to celebrating the climax of a success campaign.

Many have struggled to come to terms with the events of that dreadful day and for years could not return to the ground.  Others have found different ways to deal with the demons and to create something positive from such a black and painful event.

FSOA member Adam Bentley, the Deputy Safety Officer at Bradford City, cycled to Paris to raise funds for the Burns Research Unit at Bradford University as his 25^th anniversary mark of respect.

For Paul Firth, a circuit judge, his way of coming to terms with what happened was to write about it.  His book ‘Four Minutes To Hell’ is a must for anyone involved, or embarking on a career, in crowd management.  If you have not read it please try and track down a copy.

I have stood in Centenary Square on the 11 May and felt the emotion.  I have also read the 56 names on the memorial at Valley Parade time and again.  Both provide a very poignant reminder, if ever we need one, of what we do and why we do it.

Chris Patzelt, General Secretary

With Kiddy sitting just one place outside the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs, they needed a home win and hope that Luton Town might fall to defeat champions Fleetwood Town.

But whilst there was drama on the pitch it wasn’t the scoreline that caused most concern.

As the pair prepared for the final whistle Harriers striker Anthony Malbon suffered head and neck injuries during time added on.  With the player lying unconscious the easiest and quickest way to get him to hospital was by air ambulance.

That required a complete evacuation of the Aggborough Stadium so that the helicopter could land on the pitch.

It was a good test of the club’s evacuation procedures as Jim explains:

“It was towards the end of the game and we had to evacuate the Stadium to allow the removal of the player.  The evacuation procedures went well with no problems and the ground empty and secure in under three minutes.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed:

“An ambulance arrived at the scene and took over treatment of the player who had received first aid from medics at the stadium and had regained consciousness.

“Due to the nature of the man’s head injuries, the Midlands Air Ambulance was called to the scene. The man’s condition was stabilised and he was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and specialist treatment.”

The player is expected to make a full recovery.

Both fixures are to be played as a double header on Friday 20 July, just days before both teams begin their official Olympic tournament campaigns.

Team GB Men will face stiff competition from Brazil whilst their female couterparts will entertain Sweden.  It will be the first time since 1971 that a British men’s side has played in the UK and the first time ever for the women’s team.

Andy Hunt, Team GB’s Chef de Mission said:

“Both Sweden and Brazil will present top opposition and will provide Stuart (Pearce)  and Hope (Powell) with an opportunity to test their squads against two of the strongest teams in the Olympic competition.”

Kick-off times are still to be confirmed.

Championship

League One

League Two

All three finals will be played at Wembley Stadium.

Sunday 15 April marks the 23^rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster when 96 Liverpool supporters perished during another FA Cup semi-final, then the opponents were Nottingham Forest.

Dominic Williams and his friends are running 76 miles from Hillsborough to Liverpool and aim to arrive at Anfield in time to watch their team face Everton.

The first leg of the triple marathon began on the pitch at Sheffield Wednesday, in front of the Leppings Lane stand.  ‘We thank Sheffield Wednesday profusely for their help and for this wonderful gesture’ read a message on the runners’ website.

As well as commemorating the anniversary the run will raise money for the Hillsborough Families Support Group and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.

The report, conducted by University College London, is likely to be used by the police to reignite their argument that the footprint around grounds should be widened so creating extra numbers of officers for which charges might be levied.

But with the Premier League already providing the Exchequor £1billion in taxes and most clubs paying six or seven figure sums in business rates is the police argument valid?  On what basis are the police figures collated?

With more games than ever are being staged without the police being required inside stadia can those same people be blamed for crime in other areas and can clubs really be expected to pay for policing over which they have no control?

Members can read the UCL report by logging in and visiting the National Members forum.

Stoke City Football Club of the English Premier League are looking for a Deputy Health and Safety Officer based in Staffordshire to support its operations across all properties in the Club’s portfolio. This includes the Britannia Stadium, Clayton Wood Training Ground, the Academy indoor facility and other facilities supporting the retail operations.

The primary focus of the role will be to provide support to the Health and Safety Officer who has responsibility for stadium safety operations on match days and events at the Britannia Stadium. It will include being a named Deputy on the stadium safety certificate.

Across all of the sites the role will also carry responsibility for assisting with the management of Occupational Health and Safety, Fire Safety and Environment policies and procedures.

For more details please log in to the Members Area and visit Job Shop.

]]> http://fsoa.org.uk/2012/04/stoke-city-vacancy/feed/ 0 http://fsoa.org.uk/2012/04/riddor-reporting-change/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=riddor-reporting-change http://fsoa.org.uk/2012/04/riddor-reporting-change/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:59:16 +0000 Chris Patzelt http://fsoa.org.uk/?p=1174 Read the rest]]> The rules under which organisations are required to report the incapacity of staff is due to change on 6 April 2012.

One of the main changes is that the three day absence trigger is to be increased to seven days.

The HSE has produced downloadable information  which is available in our members’ documents section under ‘General Safety Guidance and Publications’.  Members should log in above and visit the members documents section of this site.

Alternatively visit the HSE website for more details.

For some months Don Foster, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, has promoted a Private Members Bill in the House at Commons.  The Bill successfully negotiated its first reading some months ago but failed to be moved for a second reading on 30 March.

There would now appear little chance of the Bill making further progress and the necessary change in the law to allow safe standing in the top two divisions seems unlikely in the near future.

Whilst pro standing campaigners will no doubt continue with their argument safe standing has failed to find support in Government, with the police or the football authorities.

Is this the right decision or would football benefit from the introduction of some form of stadning in the top two divisions.  Register your thoughts below.