Drums have been the subject of a long standing prohibition at St Mirren Football Club for safety reasons, primarily because bad behaviour within the stadium was centred on the possession of a drum on previous occasions. It was also used as a means of smuggling flare and contraband into the ground while staff were assaulted and people were arrested. For these reasons the prohibition was imposed by the club. Since this prohibition there has been no repetition of such incidents.
The club and its employees have worked hard to create a safe match day environment and, as a result of this, police presence at games has been reduced and, in many cases, removed. This has resulted in a significant saving to the club. It is therefore imperative that we do not create situations where the stewards feel at risk and the police, once again, insist on a match day presence at all games. It is also important that we take into account the affect the drum may have on existing season ticket holders and other supporters so if the following rules seem strict then hopefully you can understand our reasoning.
There has been a growing movement amongst the club's support this season toward reintroducing a drum to the stadium following its success at away matches in enhancing the match day experience and providing support to the team.
Therefore a pilot project will permit members of the home support to bring a drum into the stadium at the final three matches of the 2016-2017 season.
The pilot will be run under the following rules to ensure that there is no impact on the enjoyment or safety of any supporter or employee of St Mirren Football Club. If the pilot is successful we will work towards making the rules less stringent and more manageable.
Rules on Drum Pilot at Paisley 2021 Stadium - April 2017
- The drum must be used to entertain. This may be by encouraging the home support to cheer on the team, it is not to be used to antagonise or in any way wind up the away support.
- The drum must be presented to the club no later than the day before the match. The drum will then be retained within the stadium until match day.
- The drum will be supervised by a named person who will, on entry to the stadium, identify themselves to the relevant stand steward supervisor. This person will be 'issued' with the drum.
- The named person will identify their position during the match and inform the supervisor how they can be contacted instantly at any time during the match.
- The drum and permission to use it within the stadium will be reviewed by club management on a week-to-week basis and it may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
- The drum will be used within the specified area of the stadium at the back of section W7 in the West Stand.
- The drum pilot and supporters involved in it must not spoil the sight lines of other supporters by their actions nor compromise their own safety by standing, jumping or indulging in any other unacceptable conduct within an all seated section nor in nay way degrade the enjoyment of other supporters within the stadium.
- Should complaints be received regarding the drum or any matters arising from its use during a match or it is decided the use of the drum is liable to affect the safety of supporters a decision will be made by the club safety officer on whether the drum should be withdrawn from use and again if the decision is taken to withdraw it the named person will be informed and the drum withdrawn from use without question.
- All requests must be complied with. Any matters arising can be discussed after the match but if the drum is withdrawn then this will be done in a quiet, safe and controlled manner at an appropriate location well away from viewing areas.
