Boss Garner slams ‘disgusting’ actions

Head coach blasts Port Vale supporters after Swindon players are attacked

FURIOUS Swindon Town head coach Ben Garner branded some Port Vale supporters as “absolutely disgusting” after a number of his players were attacked and abused following their dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs semi-finals on Thursday evening.

Prior to the finale, Vale’s former Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke had been sent off for an altercation with Robins captain Dion Conroy. Clarke needlessly tried to wrestle the ball from Conroy just to the side of the dugouts.

Worse was to follow after the final whistle, however, as home fans ran onto the pitch when Ellis Iandolo’s missed spot-kick sent Vale through to Wembley 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw on aggregate, the hosts having won 1-0 on the night.

“My players have been physically and verbally abused after the game,” revealed Garner.

“It’s just absolutely disgusting. It’s disappointing what they’ve had to put up with coming off that pitch.

“I’m very proud of the players for the strength they’ve just shown.

There’s a lad with a cut on his nose, there’s been all sorts of abuse.”

Earlier this week, Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp required stitches after being headbutted by a supporter of Nottingham Forest – who has subsequently been jailed – following the Blades’ play-off semi-final loss at the City Ground.

Garner added: “I don’t understand it, and I don’t know where this is coming from. I’ve seen it in some of the other play-off games. I don’t know where we’re going to as a country, it’s absolutely disgusting.

“It is dangerous, so dangerous. Players have been hit, players have been kicked, players have been spat at, players have been verbally abused.

“It’s just not on. Fans think they can come on and they can have a