Laverstock & Ford Football Club has defended the behaviour of their fans at Smallbrook Stadium when the perimeter fence was badly damaged on Saturday (23rd April).
Laverstock secretary Matthew McMahon claimed that the toppling of the fence was “an act of over-exuberance caused by the emotion of the occasion and not a deliberate act of vandalism”. He has said that, with hindsight, it should never have happened.
Mr McMahon pointed out that Newport Football Club had been forewarned to expect over 200 supporters from Laverstock. He claimed that it had been the responsibility of the home club to ensure that alcohol was not drunk around the stadium, but that this had happened until a Wessex League Official had requested closure of the bar. He said that at Laverstock they had a very strict policy of no alcohol in the stadium.
The Laverstock secretary also claimed that Newport fans had set off flares during the game and that it was wrong to blame only 1 club for any disturbances. He also stated that 2 Newport fans had attempted to storm the Laverstock dressing room after the game but had been prevented from doing so by Laverstock Chairman John Pike.
Matthew McMahon said:
“Laverstock fans were not blameless. However, there was high spirits and exuberance from both sets of supporters. There was no violence apart from when 2 fans tried to get into our dressing room.
“We have launched an investigation and will deal with any offenders appropriately. We are more than happy to pay recompense for any damage to the perimeter fence.
“I would also praise both sets of players for their conduct during the game. We have no issue at all with the players and management of Newport Football Club.”
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Someone is living in cloud cuckoo land. There should be consequences for their ‘fans’ causing this damage, not trying to blame the home side. If the bar was such a problem, how much damage did Newport’s fans cause ?
Newport’s fans didn’t cause any damage
Fair play, seems Newport were just ‘as game’ by the sounds of it, got beat & then threw a hissy fit, bad losers I’d say!
Laverstock should be thrown out of the league,
We aren’t going to be in your league because we’re going up green army
^
What a bunch of Tommy Tankers.
Everybody concerned in this needs to learn from the events of the day..