Top of the league

F.C. United of Manchester is a semi-professional football club based in Moston, Manchester, founded in 2005 by Manchester United supporters opposed to American businessman Malcolm Glazer’s takeover of the Old Trafford Club.  After sharing multiple stadia across Greater Manchester between 2005 and 2015, F.C. United opened their own ground, Broadhurst Park in May 2015. 

During construction of the new stadium a combination of an analogue CCTV system was installed and supported by onsite manned security 24/7. A review of security and associated costs was undertaken by the club, who contacted security service provider Bluegrain Ltd to assist. 

Bluegrain Ltd worked closely with COP to review the site and all available options. Bluegrain Ltd proposed replacing the analogue system and install a selection from Dahua’s IP smart camera range. The high-resolution images and network capability meant no further manned guarding was required. 

As the existing system was installed and run using coaxial cable COP recommended using the IP over coax converters, this would allow Bluegrain Ltd to utilise the smart features that only the Dahua IP range can offer. 

Bluegrain Ltd technical director Mark Daly said: “One of the biggest challenges we faced was the legacy system being wired using coaxial cable, with some of the longest runs reaching up to 500 metres. The IP over coax converters were a perfect solution for us and allow us to utilize the extra features of the IP kit. With the cameras built in smart features we can create zones designed to detect intruders at any time of day. Tie that in with the CMS software, and we can offer round the clock protection.”

One of the largest problems F.C. United face is vandalism when the stadium is closed. The new install allows Bluegrain to monitor the site around the clock using the remote client management software (CMS) and setup perimeter alerts. Once an object enters into a pre-set area Bluegrain’s control centre is notified and can view real time live images, from this they can then determine if security is required to attend the scene.

COP Security sales executive Lee Gardiner said “Bluegrain approached us to assist in the upgrade of an existing installation. After hearing the clubs specific requirements we quickly realised the system needed to be IP, even after hearing coax cable was already in place. The flexibility of the Dahua range means we were able to provide a solution.”

F.C. United CEO Damien Chadwick is delighted with the results of the upgrade, he said: “The upgrade has been great for the club! Not only have we improved our overall security package, but because we don’t need on site security 24/7 we will save a great deal in the future.”

COP commitment 

COP IS renowned throughout the industry for the service we provide and the strong relationships we build with each and every customer. As an industry leader in this regard, COP offers the ‘COP Commitment’, the most comprehensive service package to date. Prominent features of the package include Genuine three year Advance Replacement on the majority of Dahua products and free delivery on all orders over £99. 

COP’s goal is and always has been to be an industry leader in the service we provide. It’s our customers that matter and our ethos is that the better we serve and work with them, the better we will do as a result. It’s mutually beneficial in that regard and our focus on service has paid dividends over the years as we’ve built strong and lasting relationships with customers of all sizes. To concrete our position we introduced ‘The COP Commitment’, a service package we created after asking installers what they sought and wanted most from a distributor. It’s something that the company has been doing for some 20 plus years already. We have always prided ourselves on being the number one, go-to people for service and support.

Key Commitments

Three year advance replacement is just a single part of the firm’s commitment standard for every customer on every purchase, it also includes: 

• Three-year warranties;
• 30-day money back guarantee;
• No handling charge for non-faulty items (no ‘administration fee’); and
• Free delivery of repairs and collection of returns

The company also builds and tests every single recorder in their UK warehouse. We get them, we test them, we soak-test them, every single one, before they get sent out. Nobody wants a product to break, but its electronic equipment; things can go wrong, it’s how you deal with it that matters. We are working with world-famous brands, not only the CCTV manufacturer Dahua, but also Seagate for data storage. We are able to make this commitment because we trust the product and we have the infrastructure to do it. 

Bluegrain Ltd is a Manchester-based security service provider, offering everything from manned security personnel, to 24h CCTV monitoring services. 

Cop Security are a trade only distributor offering high quality CCTV products and industry leading service & support. 

James Bentley is product manager at COP UK. For more information contact COP Security on 01457 874 999 or visit www.cop-eu.com