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One person hospitalised after football disorder
28/08/2022
“These thugs are not welcome in non-league from either club”
One person had to be taken to hospital after a number of items, including bottles and a traffic cone, were thrown during Banbury United’s home game against Hereford on Saturday afternoon. Thames Valley Police say they worked with the club to deal with disorder “before, during and after” the match at Station Approach.
Officers say to avoid any further problems after the game they decided to keep some Banbury supporters in the ground for approximately ten minutes to allow the Hereford fans to leave the area.
One person was arrested for a public order offence.
During the game two smoke bombs were let off in the Town End which was occupied by Banbury United supporters.
The behaviour of the small minority involved has been blasted by others. On Twitter Spencer Reds wrote: “We are getting crowds of a thousand, young children attending their first Banbury matches realising it is an amazing club, more families are coming down. The atmosphere and on the pitch has been the best I’ve ever seen!
“Shame some ‘fans’ like to try and ruin it with violence. On top of this, it’s not just [a] minority of the Banbury fans, some Hereford fans are the same and just as bad looking for trouble.
“These thugs are not welcome in non-league from either club, and just ruins the day out for the traditionalist who go to football to watch football.”
Visiting Hereford supporter Alan Leighton wrote on Twitter: “Unfortunately as we were walking out of the ground a number of stones were thrown at us by some Banbury fans being held behind the police line.
“Fortunately nobody was hit. Very disappointing because people in Banbury were otherwise very welcoming.”
Banbury fan Sara Turner was keen to distance Banbury United’s true supporters from those causing trouble. She wrote: “Don’t tarnish us all with the same brush. I am disgusted on what I saw today. Those youngsters aren’t fans at all.
“Banbury are a community club with honest and loyal fans. Some just come out to start issues. I hope the man in question is ok, best wishes to him.”
During the second half of the game Banbury’s Jak Hickman was given a yellow card after he reacted to a Hereford fan in the crowd making a comment.
Attendance at the game was 1,324.
The disorder spoilt what had otherwise been another successful afternoon on the pitch for Andy Whing’s team, who continued their unbeaten run following promotion to the National League North. Banbury won the game 3-1.
Thames Valley Police say they are investigating the disorder and ask if anyone has any relevant footage that it be forwarded to them via their website, or by calling 101, quoting reference number 943 (27/8).
Banbury United issued a statement on Sunday lunchtime saying the behaviour of a very small minority of supporters was unacceptable. The club says it will review and update procedures in light of what happened.
The statement continued: “We will not hesitate to issue banning orders for supporters who are found to be involved in anti-social behaviour. As members of Cherwell Pubwatch Banbury any bans will include from other member premises in the town.
“We will review the day with the police to see what further steps we need to take.
We are a community club, we want to be able to welcome everyone to our ground. We know fans are passionate but there is a clear line between behaviour that is acceptable and the incidents above that were not.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam