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Version 0 Version 1
West Ham fan told his newspaper is an offensive weapon West Ham fan told his newspaper is an offensive weapon
(7 months later)
A football fan had his newspaper confiscated as he tried to enter a ground because security staff considered it an offensive weapon.A football fan had his newspaper confiscated as he tried to enter a ground because security staff considered it an offensive weapon.
West Ham United fan Chris Barmby was carrying a copy of the Worcester News when he was stopped by guards at Stoke City's Britannia stadium on 2 March.West Ham United fan Chris Barmby was carrying a copy of the Worcester News when he was stopped by guards at Stoke City's Britannia stadium on 2 March.
He was told that it was "new policy" to ban newspapers in case people set them on fire to use as a torch. As a retired firefighter, Barmby was not amused.He was told that it was "new policy" to ban newspapers in case people set them on fire to use as a torch. As a retired firefighter, Barmby was not amused.
As he told the News, which splashed the story and ran an editorial calling the ban absurd, what's to stop someone setting light to a club programme?As he told the News, which splashed the story and ran an editorial calling the ban absurd, what's to stop someone setting light to a club programme?
The paper's deputy editor, John Wilson, said: "The Worcester News has always packed a punch, but we have never been called an offensive weapon."The paper's deputy editor, John Wilson, said: "The Worcester News has always packed a punch, but we have never been called an offensive weapon."
Happily for Barmby, a Worcester man who has been a lifelong West Ham supporter, his side won 1-0.Happily for Barmby, a Worcester man who has been a lifelong West Ham supporter, his side won 1-0.
Sources: HoldTheFrontPage/Worcester News Declaration of interest: I am a West Ham fanSources: HoldTheFrontPage/Worcester News Declaration of interest: I am a West Ham fan
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