“Stewards Are Worth a Bit More Than Minimum Wage”: Plural Policing of Football Matches in England and Wales

“Stewards Are Worth a Bit More Than Minimum Wage”: Plural Policing of Football Matches in England and Wales This research explores stewarding of football as a plural policing approach. Research indicates that stewarding may be more effective than public policing inside football stadiums. This qualitative research explores views on stewarding in England from football police officers, professional football club representatives and other stakeholders. There is good practice in football clubs professionalizing stewarding, but this is not omnipresent. Other clubs and police forces face issues regarding competent stewarding. The Covid-19 pandemic left a skills shortage in football stewards. Enhanced training and professionalization of the stewarding role will support an effective plural policing solution for the policing of football.