ANGRY Mansfield Town fans have vowed to stay away from the football club in protest at the heavy-handed actions of stewards.
The stewards chased and man-handled young supporters who ran onto the pitch at the end of the final home match of the season.
They have also been accused of assaulting freelance photographer Dan Westwell and his girlfriend Helen Allsop after the 2-1 victory over Barnet clinched the Stags' survival in Division II. (See
Stags' stewards accused by fans.)
Disgruntled supporters bombarded websites - including www.chad.co.uk - to complain about the stewards, saying that they will not return to watch the Stags' home matches next season unless chairman James Derry takes action.
Some have already written to Stags' Safety Officer John Sidney in protest and called on Mr Derry to look into the issue of 'the worst stewards in the Football League'.
Fans who have posted on Chad's post-match
blog said:
- 'The stewards are a disgrace to Mansfield Town FC'
- 'When are they going to be brought to task over their actions? Let's hope the police take statements from the fans and the stewards responsable are brought before the courts and charged with assault.'
- 'The stewards ruin it for us once again. The heavy handed behaviour on young teenagers was absolutely disgusting. James Derry must get it sorted, this club is a joke.'
- 'It is time for Mr Derry to actually have the guts to admit that this was appalling. Today was a disgrace, the club has had warning after warning and complaint after complaint, yet they seem intent on waiting until somebody is seriously hurt.'
- 'Yet again the stewards at Mansfield Town have shown themselves to be the worst in English football. Mansfield Town have a lot of explaining and apologising to do and the police should without a doubt look into what went on today.'
- 'Let's hope this close season sees the back of our present regime, ncluding stewards.'
- 'I can't believe what I have seen today at Field Mill. I stood and watched grown men punching, kicking, grabbing in headlocks and marching young kids out of the ground. It was disgusting and I for one will never ever set foot inside Field Mill again.'
- 'I should be over the moon . . . but I feel sick to my core after the behaviour of some of the stewards. I saw one kick a lad of about 14, invite a couple of others to fight him and then stick his middle finger up at the crowd. Today was a stain on the name of Mansfield Town FC and I am deeply troubled by what I have seen.'
To view the fans' comments in full, or to add your own point of view, click here and join in our online debate. A selection of comments will also be printed in next week's Chad.