The Barclays Premier League club Stoke City have hired the security and crowd management contractor Showsec for their matches at the Britannia Stadium during the 2013-14 season.
Leicester-based Showsec say that their progressive stewarding and stadium security is geared to enhancing the matchday experience for fans. As well as the Potters, Showsec are also used by fellow Premier League clubs Manchester City and Sunderland – Stoke’s opponents at the Britannia Stadium recently – while their presence extends throughout other leagues including Championship team Leeds United and Skrill Premier League club Alfreton Town.
Showsec’s Managing Director Mark Harding said: “Football is a crucial element of the company’s growth, so the opportunity to expand upon the work which we are already doing in this field and operate at another Premier League club is an important development for us moving forwards.
“The Britannia Stadium is renowned for having one of the best atmospheres in English football and our matchday operation will set out to ensure that remains so for all supporters who are visiting the ground this season. Our commitment is to providing the right support to football clubs, so they offer a safe, enjoyable experience for fans.”
Stoke’s Health and Safety Manager Rob Killingworth drew on previous experience of working with Showsec when he turned to them for crowd management support for the Boothen End of the ground this season. “I was impressed with what I saw of them in operation in my time at Nottingham Forest and Notts County, so I knew they offered what we were looking for in terms of experience and expertise,” said Killingworth.
“Showsec have excellent supervisors who are very switched on to our needs in terms of crowd management while the other thing that they are particularly good at is communication which is so important operationally.”
