Binks Reinstated (NJSEA Abuse v. ESC Part II)

By: Dave Martinez | August 15th, 2008

As previously reported, Red Bulls Fan of the Year Thomas Binkley (aka “Binks”) was banned for life from Giants Stadium by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for allegedly throwing some “f” bombs and exhibiting “threatening” behavior. To throw further salt in the wounds, it landed just before the Barcelona game. Well, alot has changed since then, and, with a little help from the Red Bulls Organization, Binks has been reinstated. He is back on TheOffside to tell us what happened. (and no, he didnt make the Barce game)

Last we left off, you were suspended for life. Next thing we hear, 7 nameless faces were reported reinstated by Ives Galarcep. Were you one of the seven?

Yeah, funny thing, I was at work and received a call from my ticket rep. and couldn’t talk to him right then. It occured to me after I got off the phone with him that he could’ve been calling with news on the ban, and then I started wondering if I was reinstated or going to be saving money on gas for the next year or so. I got a text message from a friend about an update online and learned that I was reinstated by reading Soccer by Ives. That was sort of a strange thing.

How did you get reinstated? What was the process?

The process is rather interesting. You have to write a letter requesting that NJSEA review your ban and decide if you should be reinstated based on the facts.

What roll did the Red Bulls play?

The Red Bulls took my letter along with those collected by the ESC for all of the members banned in 101 and took them to NJSEA directly to review as a whole. The reason for this was to get them all in at once and to avoid having them end up in the mix with individuals that had been banned from other events at the Meadowlands and get us reinstated before Barcelona.

Which they did.

I was also told that Eric Stover personally brought these to the attention of NJSEA and spent the time to deal with each of our bans on a case by case basis. Thank you very much for this Eric.

Was the Empire Supporters Club involved as well?

Yes. The events surrounding “The Beckham 7″ as they’ve been named were recorded by personal account and presented to the Red Bulls. Links for the video showed that there was clearly substance behind claims of abuse and harrassment on the part of those on the security staff that are supposed to be trained to insure public safety and protection of property.

Several were reinstated. Others were not at this time but I am hopeful to see them again soon.

Did you receive any assurance that the NJSEA would act more prudently with fans and supporters alike moving forward?

No. But with the Red Bulls’ Dan Steeves and Tim Sinclair stepping up to act as section stewards and those in ESC policing themselves it seems obvious to me that they knew that they weren’t doing this well and were in danger of causing more problems than insuring safety or protecing NJSEA property.

Any final words on the situation?

I took a stand and sometimes you have to go through a process when you do. I’m not sure if knowing the outcome would’ve changed much, but I do appreciate the efforts of those that spent time to have me reinstated and those that voiced support on my behalf.

Since this interview, the NJSEA has enacted tighter rules of conduct “for Jets and Giants games,” but we all know that means the Red Bulls as well. With a closer eye on the ESC, and a more restrictive entry policy, it will be interesting to see how these actions will curb or correct the tension that exists in section 101.

Before we end this today, I have to explain the picture (thanks to theoffsiderules.com). Living up to his “Fan of the Year” monicker, Binkley went covert to shame some unknowing player with a home made DC United shirt which read “Piss On DC,” with the infamous picture of Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strip fame) peeing on the DC crest. How was it done? Well, there was a “Meet The Team” event meant for season ticket holders only. “Binks” managed to secure himself an entry, with a DC United jersey in hand. After a couple of failed attempts with other players, he spotted Bobby Boswell, and asked for a picture. The rest is history.

image credit: theoffsiderules.blogspot.com, metrofanatic.com