League Two club sack two stewards after uncovering criminal offence on matchdays

League Two club Hartlepool United sack two stewards after uncovering a criminal offence, as revealed in a radio interview.

The North East outfit has uncovered a scam which saw fans being let in free into the ground to buy cut-price tickets from criminals on matchdays.

They said it has long had issues with fans using concession tickets that do not apply to them, or several people using the same ticket.

However the fraud scheme was a “whole new level” and “unacceptable”, chief operating officer Stephen Hobin said.

Two stewards have been sacked and the police have been informed, he said.

Mr Hobin spoke with BBC Radio Tees and stated there was a long-standing issue with some fans trying to get into matches without proper tickets.

A common scheme is one ticket being bought and then passed back through several supporters at the turnstiles.

Another involves people buying concession tickets, for example a child’s ticket when they are an adult, and using that to get into the ground.

It was while monitoring such activities at the Pools’ Carabao Cup fixture against Morecambe that the club discovered the “organised operation” which was “much more serious”, Mr Hobin said.

He said that certain stewards were letting fans in who would then give money to people in the ground, “probably for half the cost of a ticket”.

Mr Hobin went on: “What I can’t and won’t accept is people directly profiteering from the football club, almost making a business out of it on the side.”

He claims the scams were “unfair” to fans who bought tickets “honestly” and were cheating the club out of thousands of pounds which could be reinvested into the side.

Mr Hobin added the club was now taking a “hard-line” on ticket scams which could see fans banned or even reported to the police.

Extra stewards have been recruited incurring more cost for the club, he said, and he warned fans arriving minutes before kick-off they could face delays due to the more stringent checks.

Fans reacted as the League Two club sack two stewards after uncovering a criminal offence…

@Joyceygold: This is a real shame 😔 do they not realise the damage they’re doin to their club by defying revenue. Not true fans. But @HobinStephen seems to have an eye on it now. Hope it gets sorted

@MarkReeve85: About time we had somebody stamping this sort of behaviour out. Great interview 👌🏻

Aaron Fletcher: Disgraceful, glad to see the club taking action, wouldn’t be surprised if we’re the only club that will have to do this however

Harry Gibson: Had no idea this was going on, why does a minority have to ruin it for everyone?! We don’t want to see our club tarnished. Well done to Pools for acting on it

Liam Rayment: It’s worrying how much this is happening

Eddie Larkin: Very sneaky from not true fans, as if you wanna risk committing a crime to watch Hartlepool v Morecambe lol

Pete Riley: Imagine having the cheek to be angry at those turning you away because of something you shouldn’t be doing, well done Hartlepool

Andy Lee: So so selfish, people forget how much this cash can benefit the club. Issue the culprits with stadium bans!

Neil Harrison: The matchday income is huge for any club at this level

Gary Coles: Hope they can move forward from this, get in the police, issue the bans, just really hope other clubs can following suit

Really interesting piece in the programme from C.O.O Stephen Hobin.

🎟 He discusses the ticket scams that have been going on at the ground. Absolutely mind boggling that people are trying to profit off the back of the amazing atmosphere created here. pic.twitter.com/SBCsav7OlM

— Rob Law (@RobLawTees) October 23, 2021

HARTLEPOOL UNITED TICKET PRICES:

Seating Adults – Seniors (65+) – Under 19s – Students – Armed Forces – Under 16s
Longbranch Homes – £20 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £5
Teesside Int Airport – £20 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £5
Family Enclosure (Longbranch A & B) – £20 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £5
Simpson Millar (Away Fans) – £20 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £5
Disabled Enclosure – £20 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £5

Please note ticket prices will increase by £1 on matchdays

Ambulant/wheelchair disabled fans pay their relevant age category and are entitled to a free carer if in receipt of high rate DLA or enhanced rate PIP (relevant paperwork must be produced at the time of purchase)

Under 5’s also go FREE with a full paying adult or concession (£14 ticket)

Terrace Adults – Seniors (65+) – Under 19s – Students – Armed Forces – Under 16s
Brunel Group Stand – £20 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £5
Teeside Int Airport – £20 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £14 – £5

Please note ticket prices will increase by £1 on matchdays

Ambulant/wheelchair disabled fans pay their relevant age category and are entitled to a free carer if in receipt of high rate DLA or enhanced rate PIP (relevant paperwork must be produced at the time of purchase)

Under 5’s also go FREE with a full paying adult or concession (£14 ticket)