The Mail Bag
Operation Goodison?
Comments (49)
This is a bit of a whinge about the PA system at Goodison Park.
Every game that is televised seems to be interupted by a woman with a very annoying voice making statements, such as "Operation Goodison Exercise" and could the away end please sit down.
It all appears quite amateurish and I can't remember ever watching another top-flight team or European team that has a system like it.
Either the woman behind the PA just wants to be on Tele or the speaker is right behind the commentary stand either way it seems embarrassing and unprofessional.
Could anyone tell me what OPERATION GOODISON EXERCISE is about anyway?
Adam Harris, Posted 09/03/2009 at 18:10:32
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Michael Kenrick
It really is embarrassing and unprofessional. Could not have put it better. I cringe every time. Whatever health & safety reason they have for it, there must be a better way. Why can't they do it 5 or 10 mins before kick-off if they really have to?
If I recall correctly, I heard that it?s to do with testing an emergency evacuation of the stands ? i.e. opening and closing the gates, stewarding arrangements for such an eventuality. Apparently it happens at Anfield as well, perhaps it?s a Merseyside Police requirement?
As for the microphones, I believe they are in the Bullens by the away fans (hence why they always seem so loud on TV, and our fans so quiet ? see the Chelsea cup game last season).
As for the microphones, I believe they are in the Bullens by the away fans (hence why they always seem so loud on TV, and our fans so quiet ? see the Chelsea cup game last season).
Agreed, also while we?re on the subject "It?s a grand old team to play for" is so fucking annoying. I?m no youngster but even I think it?s so dated and corny, let's get something that strikes fear into opposing teams not something that really is laughable now. I?d like "A night on Bear Mountain" ? that would put the shits up away teams and fans.
Couldn’t agree more with you, Iain. Belted out on theStreet, it’s a joy to hear. The recording sounds worse than Harry Enfield’s scousers. Get rid!
What’s the problem!...................yeah let’s get rid of health and safety...........don’t most businesses practice fire drill etc..........good to know our club is ready in the event of an unlikely, but possible tragedy...............
Most can read and judging by their inane posturing whenever the camera is on them they also keep at least one eye on the giant screeen.
Why then is it not possible to flash those kind of messages on the screen perhaps preceded by a short farting noise as used to be done before tannoy announcements.
I have no doubt the lady behind the mike could produce an excellent attention catching fart whenever required.
Why then is it not possible to flash those kind of messages on the screen perhaps preceded by a short farting noise as used to be done before tannoy announcements.
I have no doubt the lady behind the mike could produce an excellent attention catching fart whenever required.
Dead right !! I live in Australia and have always wondered what that was all about ... Glad to know I’m not the only one who finds it annoying in the middle of a TV broadcast AROUND THE WORLD.
It really is bollocks; in the PE it almost bursts your fuckin ear drums!
Her indoors has just chided me for embarrasing the lady behind the mike. I offer the lady my sincere grovelling appologies and say that at no time did I suggest that to produce a farting noise it was neccesary to hold the mike close to what is no doubt a quite lovely bottom. Thats torn it, now HID is even madder, perhaps it is wise not to go any further with this.
You lot are joking, surely? I?d rather know that the gates will open than be embarrassed!
What? you mean it?s not the code for the defence to start playing hoof ball?
There goes my theory...
There goes my theory...
I’ve heard the something similar at Anfield too. Always wondered what its for?
If our stadium wasn’t so old and in such bad state of repair, we wouldn’t have such stringent health and safety measures put upon us, LETS MOVE TO KIRKBY and stop the loud tannoy lady!
I disagree with you lot. The "OG" is one of the idiosyncrasies of Goodison plus the woman reminds me of a "Bond babe", getting ready to do some serious damage in some undercover scheme. I have also heard a similar announcement in a few other stadiums while watching games on tv at Old Trafford and I believe at Anfield. As far as "It's a grand old team to play for" goes, this is the only time that I can hear our supporters loudly sing for more than a few seconds and it sounds awesome on tv.
James is correct, Operation Goodison Exercise is indeed an emergency drill based around the disaster management plan that would need to evacuate the stadium due to a fire, bomb threat or such-like.
As well as the security staff, Police, medics etc, all of the stewards have to hear the announcement, therefore it comes from the PA - unfortunate but necessary.- it’d be impossible to stick everybody on the same radio system.
All gates are checked for emergency opening, all staff and emergency services are to remain in position in order to handle the evacuation should the announcement ever change to "Commence Operation Goodison".
The only time it ever came close in my time there was an end of season game with Chelsea when the IRA forced the Grand National to be run on the Monday, and were threatening to blow everything else up.
We were all on alert for it to happen should that coded message arrive. Thankfully it didn’t, and rather than preparing the Gwladys Street Concourse to be used as a temporary morgue, the most devastating part of the afternoon ended up with Vialli legging it down the players tunnel after robbing my bag of Everton Mints!
As well as the security staff, Police, medics etc, all of the stewards have to hear the announcement, therefore it comes from the PA - unfortunate but necessary.- it’d be impossible to stick everybody on the same radio system.
All gates are checked for emergency opening, all staff and emergency services are to remain in position in order to handle the evacuation should the announcement ever change to "Commence Operation Goodison".
The only time it ever came close in my time there was an end of season game with Chelsea when the IRA forced the Grand National to be run on the Monday, and were threatening to blow everything else up.
We were all on alert for it to happen should that coded message arrive. Thankfully it didn’t, and rather than preparing the Gwladys Street Concourse to be used as a temporary morgue, the most devastating part of the afternoon ended up with Vialli legging it down the players tunnel after robbing my bag of Everton Mints!
Interesting point about the mics being by the away lot.
First time I noticed that was on Judas Rooney?s first return ? I?m sure ?aunty beeb? wanted to avoid broadcasting the deserved abuse Roodas was going to get (especially as they?re Mancs thru and thru), and the switch must have stuck ;-(
First time I noticed that was on Judas Rooney?s first return ? I?m sure ?aunty beeb? wanted to avoid broadcasting the deserved abuse Roodas was going to get (especially as they?re Mancs thru and thru), and the switch must have stuck ;-(
The mics thing is fairly recent, only in last two years have preferred to have the sound from the away mics over the home volume, cos to quote one BBC fella outside the Park End, apparently we?re quite bad for foul and abusive language??
I wouldn't've thought we were better or worse than most other clubs but there you go!
I wouldn't've thought we were better or worse than most other clubs but there you go!
Has anyone noticed how often we score between the anouncement of one of these "Operation Goodison" events and the "all clear". Probably not going to be able to justufy but my recall is that it is quite often
Health & Safety laws clearly state that before any action can be taken to clear gangways and require people to sit, ?a clear verbal warning must be relayed?. Any steward taking positive action before the warning is given becomes liable to legal action for assault. Stupid, bureaucratic... but nevertheless the world we live in today!
This is from The Guardian website -
"OPERATION GOODISON EXERCISE EXPLAINED! "That David Moyes is one canny Scotsman: he sends a subtle threat to Louis Saha through the PA woman using the striker?s two least favorite words - operation and exercise - and just look the response he gets! "
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/08/fa-cup-everton
"OPERATION GOODISON EXERCISE EXPLAINED! "That David Moyes is one canny Scotsman: he sends a subtle threat to Louis Saha through the PA woman using the striker?s two least favorite words - operation and exercise - and just look the response he gets! "
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/08/fa-cup-everton
It?s one of the charms of following Everton... the Operation Goodison announcements. The God-damn-awful ?Grand old team? and 1970?s ?Ev-ert-on? songs blasting out.
As a yoof we used to play around with the words a bit.... "We play it in the air... we play it in the air... which ever way we play it, we play it in the air"! The ads for Pukka Pies and Bargain Booze. The over-priced piss and unedible pies.
Someone could come forward in a time machine from the 70s and they would think they think they hadn?t left the 70s behind! Old-fashioned "If you know your history" may be, but it still sends a shiver down my spine when the music stops and the crowd sing the words.
Come on Peter, Pukka pies are great!! I heartedly recommend the Steak Pie.. MMMMmmmmm
Health and safety issues are fair enough but why doesn?t the ?wailing one? wait until the ball goes out of play until she starts belting out her ?OG? message. She always seems to start her message when Ossie or Peanuts are on a run in the opposition half of the field! I felt we were all nervous at the ground on Sunday ? got through to the players early on. COYB
Guys, everywhere has this kind of thing.
It's the law. Places with a large amount of public visitors have to have these codes, however unsubtle.
I work in Wembley, and they have the most annoying system: "Calling Mr Green, Calling Mr Amber, Calling Mr Red" (ie RUN RUN RUN!!!). This is tested before the match, deafening everyone inside the stadium and regularily goes off during the game.
It's shite, yes. But the law, so nothing's going to change. It probably stems from the stewards, ambulance and police all being on different frequencies.
It's the law. Places with a large amount of public visitors have to have these codes, however unsubtle.
I work in Wembley, and they have the most annoying system: "Calling Mr Green, Calling Mr Amber, Calling Mr Red" (ie RUN RUN RUN!!!). This is tested before the match, deafening everyone inside the stadium and regularily goes off during the game.
It's shite, yes. But the law, so nothing's going to change. It probably stems from the stewards, ambulance and police all being on different frequencies.
Yeah, I too wish someone would throttle her!
As for the mics being by the away fans, I have been saying it for years that when you get home and watch match of the day, you don't realise that the place was rocking ? surely it would be up to the club to dictate where the mics go?
Anyway it just adds to the matchday experience I guess for people who are rare visitors when they hear for the first time the Goodison roar!
As for the mics being by the away fans, I have been saying it for years that when you get home and watch match of the day, you don't realise that the place was rocking ? surely it would be up to the club to dictate where the mics go?
Anyway it just adds to the matchday experience I guess for people who are rare visitors when they hear for the first time the Goodison roar!
As we are from a city that suffered major heartache 20 years ago from diabolical policing and safety measures at football ground we should be pleased that there is something in existence should anything ever happen. And if we ever do move into a shiny new home, I hope they are just as safety conscious there too.
I suppose the fact that we got into the semis of the FA means that we have to gripe about something other than the result.
I actually thought it was perfectly timed on Sunday, it started and we scored two and it was confirmed with the old "Operation Goodison Complete", it was and we are on the way to Wembley.
I actually thought it was perfectly timed on Sunday, it started and we scored two and it was confirmed with the old "Operation Goodison Complete", it was and we are on the way to Wembley.
"If you know your history" is not our song, it?s a Celtic song anyway.
Talking of songs.... There's a horse going in the next race at Cheltenham called I?msingingtheblues, just heard it anounced as I read Paul?s post.... gorra be backed.
Bad idea.... still running.
Who was the fucking twat from the BBC who said we?re pretty bad regarding bad language? If I get my hands on the fucking bastard I?ll bleeding kill the cunt.
I don't know why, if they have to do it, they can't do it at half-time! It frightens the life outta me and the crowd genuinely go quiet like little schoolboys, at least if we knew it was tested regular at half-time it wouldn't interfere with the game itself! She does sound fit tho....
Shall we get rid of Z Cars aswell. Fuck it, knock Goodison down.
I’ll be honest though, when she said it on Sunday, we scored twice!!!
In that event, Andy, can we get her to go to Wembley and do her "Operation Wembley" thing?
Just remember, guys, the old bibical story of David and Goliah... keep the faith!! On the other hand, ?they' won?t want to spoil their perfect Final plans, so we will just have to do it for them. Anyone for kidnapping Rooney and Ronaldo and keeping them hostage until after the game.... okay I?m only kidding!!
Just remember, guys, the old bibical story of David and Goliah... keep the faith!! On the other hand, ?they' won?t want to spoil their perfect Final plans, so we will just have to do it for them. Anyone for kidnapping Rooney and Ronaldo and keeping them hostage until after the game.... okay I?m only kidding!!
Patty, we could plant dope on them?
Patty, is this the scouse version of "David and Goliath"?
Only joking...
Only joking...
Jamie Barlow, there?s an enormous difference between Z-Cars and that tragically amateurish version of Grand Old Team. And you probably know it.
For me Z-Cars is the embodiment of Everton in musical form, it's all ours, and will never fail to get the hairs of your neck (even though it's my ring tone) whereas that cheap country and western version of Grand Old Team is not becoming of any club, let alone one of our size and stature.
In fact, I?d rather have Islands in the Stream if we?re going that far and be done with it.
For me Z-Cars is the embodiment of Everton in musical form, it's all ours, and will never fail to get the hairs of your neck (even though it's my ring tone) whereas that cheap country and western version of Grand Old Team is not becoming of any club, let alone one of our size and stature.
In fact, I?d rather have Islands in the Stream if we?re going that far and be done with it.
Don?t Watford run out to Z-Cars as well?
I love singing Grand Old Team... also, I think The Banks of the Royal Blue Mersey isn't sung often enough.
I love singing Grand Old Team... also, I think The Banks of the Royal Blue Mersey isn't sung often enough.
Really annoying, every time it happens it causes the crowd to go silent, just as we’re gathering momentum. The vast majority of clubs make the announcement to stewards over their short wave radios or the pa bleeps a few times so that stewards know to carry out the procedure without causing alarm to the fans. All other clubs manage to do this so why does Everton’s safety advisory group have to be different? The club should object; safety always but in a way that doesn’t affect the Goodison roar!
Barry I get your point, as I do Col’s, but the problem is the ground safety certificate is issued by the council, and it’s the council that stipulate when and how OG is done.
It can’t be done before a match or at half time, because the people involved in the exercise are doing their jobs looking after the supporters at those times. During a match, the crowd are watching the game on the pitch from their seats, and the exercise can proceed and be over and done with quickly.
All stewards at Goodison (and I assume across the park) have to undergo set training which incorporates the disaster plan - sitting through 90 minute tapes of Bradford, Hillsborough and listening to radio communications from Ibrox. This stuff brings it home that while it’s annoying, it is necessary.
Don’t know if it still applies, but when I was working there, Goodison had the fastest evacuation time and procedure in the Premier League, surely that’s a good thing. I don’t remember people complaining as much when there was a fella doing the announcement tho - maybe he didn’t put his mike up so loud and love the sound of his own voice!
It can’t be done before a match or at half time, because the people involved in the exercise are doing their jobs looking after the supporters at those times. During a match, the crowd are watching the game on the pitch from their seats, and the exercise can proceed and be over and done with quickly.
All stewards at Goodison (and I assume across the park) have to undergo set training which incorporates the disaster plan - sitting through 90 minute tapes of Bradford, Hillsborough and listening to radio communications from Ibrox. This stuff brings it home that while it’s annoying, it is necessary.
Don’t know if it still applies, but when I was working there, Goodison had the fastest evacuation time and procedure in the Premier League, surely that’s a good thing. I don’t remember people complaining as much when there was a fella doing the announcement tho - maybe he didn’t put his mike up so loud and love the sound of his own voice!
It doesn?t bother me.
This also prompts me to suggest the Radio City announcer who is the sub announcer is very poor at naming the teams, he has no Charisma.... and no "Might Blues"! I could surely do a much better job !!
What happened to walkie-talkies? Surely Operation Goodison should be done via personal communication systems ? not a bloody PA system!
I agree Operation Goodison is excruciating , can we please find another way? And while we?re at it, let's dispense with "Grand Old Team", or at the very least change the bit where we sing about Liverpool.
Watford do run out to Z-Cars, but that doesn?t mean it's not ours.
What a bunch of miserable bastards...
Grand Old Team is ace and I love all the old Everton tunes - as does my ten year old. They are part of our history and are better than fuckin Wham and Girls Aloud which you’ll hear at mosy PL grounds prior to kick off.
As for our ground being quiet that’s shite - try a day at the Emirates, OT, Anfield, Wigan etc etc. And I’m glad we don’t just drone on like the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, Sunderland etc with monotonous crap songs.
Grand Old Team is ace and I love all the old Everton tunes - as does my ten year old. They are part of our history and are better than fuckin Wham and Girls Aloud which you’ll hear at mosy PL grounds prior to kick off.
As for our ground being quiet that’s shite - try a day at the Emirates, OT, Anfield, Wigan etc etc. And I’m glad we don’t just drone on like the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, Sunderland etc with monotonous crap songs.
Yes, Paul Gladwell, Grand Old Team is a Glasgow Celtic song because my old man used to play his Celtic record on my stereo when I was a kid. The version at Goodison makes me cringe a bit. I watch the matches on TV down here in Australia and no other ground has this annoying carry-on in the middle of play. She talks about roads being closed and diversions in place like it?s some sort of military exercise!
Grand Old Team is OURS and long may it be heard. I love to hear it belted out and join in even if I?m at home watching on tv. Z-Cars ditto. I?m not ashamed to say it brings a tear to my eye. Those tunes are truly Everton, they help to define us. We don?t care what the Red Shite say.
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