We need to iron out crowd trouble

BRAINTREE TOWN have reported crowd trouble to the National League and the Football Association claiming supporters were subject to “severe intimidation and physical assault” after their fixture at Salford City last weekend

As the club’s travelling fans left the Peninsula Stadium at full-time following Salford’s late equaliser, they were confronted by a group of men, allegedly home supporters.

Braintree chairman Lee Harding gave his view of the incident, saying: “I asked to speak to the Safety Officer or a senior steward and was met with an abusive response. I replied that I was the visiting club’s chairman and concerned about the well-being of our supporters.

“I spent a few minutes explaining their responsibilities as stewards. One man shook his head and walked away. However one steward did apologise for the problems and advised they had only just started stewarding games there and were still learning.

“The stewarding arrangements for a crowd approaching 3,000 did appear to be lacking and those that were ‘in position’ did appear to be inexperienced. Those stewards or staff that I spoke with were either confrontational or struggling to meet their basic responsibilities.”

Salford responded: “We are investigating the incident but are already pretty sure that the perpetrators were not Salford City supporters. They arrived in the vicinity from elsewhere at the end of the game. We have examined footage and the perpetrators are not known to us.

“We deeply regret this unprecedented incident – visiting supporters have never been subjected to this sort of incident previously.”