Archived News from August 2007
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NEW FIELD MILL BAN FOR PHOTOGRAPHER
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New Field Mill ban for Stags' photographer
By Tim Morriss CHAD website, 04 Aug 2007 FREELANCE photographer Dan Westwell has been banned from working at Field Mill for a second time. Dan, originally banned by Mansfield Town FC in January after being ejected for displaying a 'Haslam Out' protest photograph on his laptop while working pitchside, heard of the latest rejection just before today's friendly with Huddersfield Town. The photographer was excluded by the Stags after the January incident, but then quickly reinstated by new chairman James Derry - even though he was later convicted of a public order offence for a gesture made towards the directors' box as he was thrown out of Field Mill in January. However, this weekend Dan heard that he would not be granted a licence by Football Data Co, which issues press passes for all Football League and Premiership matches. The company says Dan breached his agreement last season through his conviction, by taking photographs of stewards and by giving photographs to fans website Stagsnet.net, which according to Football Data Co 'does not hold a valid licence'. It was Dan's photographs of the stewards, used by Chad and chad.co.uk, which highlighted the safety problems at Field Mill at the end of last season - and led to Nottinghamshire County Council reducing capacity at the ground and the football club overhauling its safety and stewarding. That capacity figure was raised only last week when safety officials said they were happy with the new stewarding arangements at the Stags. Mansfield Town Fc will issue a statement later today, but a spokesman said that Dan is allowed into the ground to watch matches as a spectator. It is thought that Football League clubs are allowed to only admit photographers who have a valid Football Data Co licence. However, it is not clear if the need for a licence extends to friendly matches. 'I am being made the scapegoat again' - banned photographer By Tim Morriss CHAD website, 04 Aug 2007 BANNED photographer Dan Westwell today said he will appeal against the decision to stop him working at all Football League and Premiership matches. And Dan, told yesterday that he will not receive the required licence following last season's controversy at Field Mill, has also criticised the Stags for banning him from taking photographs at today's friendly with Huddersfield Town. Football Data Co, which issues press passes, says Dan breached his agreement last season through his conviction, by taking photographs of stewards and by giving photographs to fans website Stagsnet.net, which 'does not hold a valid licence'. Mansfield Town FC said on Friday that the ban would include today's friendly and are expected to issue an official statement this afternoon. But Dan said: "Football Data Co haven't said that I can not attend friendly matches, so why is the football club making an issues out of something today when there is no issue. "I am appealing against the decision not to give me a licence and agree that I have no licence at the moment - but neither has the club's official photographer and he is being allowed into the ground. "It was my photographs of the stewards at the Barnet game which helped the club to sort out their stewarding problem. "I am perplexed by all this. I am being made the scapegoat again, but I am getting used to it. "They are stopping me from doing my job when nothing has changed since the end of last season." Don't blame us for photographer ban - Stags' chairman By Tim Morriss CHAD website, 04 Aug 2007 STAGS' chairman James Derry this afternoon defended the club's ban on freelance photographer Dan Westwell. Dan was told on Friday that he would not be granted a licence by Football Data Co, which issues press passes for all Football League and Premiership matches. The company says the photographer breached his agreement last season through his conviction, by taking pictures of stewards and by giving photographs to fans website Stagsnet.net, which according to Football Data Co 'does not hold a valid licence'. But angry Dan, who is appealing against the ban, says the Football Data Co decision does not extend to friendly matches - and the Stags did not need to ban him from today's friendly with Huddersfield. However, Mr Derry told chad.co.uk: "Unless Data Co's decision is changed on appeal, we can not let Dan take photographs at the ground. We do not have a choice in the matter, you have to have a licence. "Given that the Football League have shown their intent to revoke his licence for league matches, we felt we should support them today at this friendly. "We have tried to bend over backwards in the past to help Dan. He is still welcome to come into the ground as a spectator. "If he wins his appeal, then of course we will look again at the decision." Mr Derry reinstated Dan after his first ban - imposed in January after being ejected for displaying a 'Haslam Out' protest photograph on his laptop while working pitchside. The photographer was later convicted of a public order offence for a gesture made towards the directors' box as he was thrown out of Field Mill. |
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