Legend Fashanu calls on ‘real supporters’ to bring an end to fan madness
FORMER Premier League ace John Fashanu has called on fans to
– and – after a rise in trouble at grounds around the country.
And the former Wimbledon and Aston Villa striker wants another of his old clubs Millwall to lead the way today with an incident-free FA Cup Quarter-Final against Brighton.
British football has been dragged through the gutter of late amid a spate of shameful events inside stadiums in England and Scotland.
That problem hit a new low last weekend with three separate ‘fan’ flashpoints occurring north and south of the border.
The most serious came in the Second City derby at St Andrew’s where Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish was hit by a Birmingham thug.
Now Fash, 56 (below) fears our game is heading back to those dark ages he witnessed first-hand during a remarkable 17-year career.
When he was emerging in the late 1970s and early 1980s – at Norwich, Lincoln and Millwall – racism, hooliganism and pitch invasions were the norm.
Fashanu even played in the Lions’ infamous 1985 FA Cup last-eight defeat at Luton – an evening forever stained by Millwall mobs rioting before, during and after the tie.
The Crazy Gang legend, who played twice for England, said: “That night was madness and it’s the biggest reason why Millwall have never got rid of their bad-boy reputation.
“Let’s be honest, there were some terrible people around the club then.
“In fact, every club had them. The abuse players received was relentless. It was considered normal, especially for black players to be targeted. “However, what’s happening this season is unbelievable and unforgivable. “We thought the bad times were gone but the last few months say different. It has to stop before it’s too late – and it’s down to the decent fans, and they are in the majority, to set the right example.
“The tie with Brighton is a great chance for the real Millwall supporters, who love their club and football, to show the idiots how to behave.” Despite the obvious threat that violence on the terraces could spill on to the field, Fash, a 6ft 2ins martial arts expert, was rarely concerned for his safety during his heyday.
But the 1988 FA Cup winner, who since retiring with a knee injury in 1995 has divided time between England and Nigeria, is adamant today’s stars should not have to tolerate pitch invaders. And he is demanding stiffer custodial sentences for any guilty parties. “The Birmingham coward who attacked Grealish got 14 weeks behind bars. That’s not enough of a deterrent,” he added. “That’s a holiday camp. Six months minimum might make others think twice. “Nobody ever dared come near me when I was playing – thanks to my hard reputation. But sooner or later someone will be seriously hurt if this behaviour continues.”