Club statement re. banned 'supporters'

[Diamond_ Wolf]

Whilst I think the dealings with DW were extremely fair, I just hope the other supporters with bans got a fair hearing and not just a letter through the post.

I also hope that St. Ives have carried out and equally "thorough" investigation, and have issued a ban to their supporter who assaulted a diamonds fan in the first half, leaving him with a split lip and a 3 figure dentist bill, which was arguably the catalyst for any post match scuffles. These lads were also spat at (one of their stewards will verify this) What would YOU do if you were spat at? I know I'd rather be punched than spat at. Would that be caught on a video?? Whilst I don't condone the actions of 2/3 individuals, I think many people need to consider both sides of the story before starting a witch hunt.

I agree with what you're saying mate however people are ultimately responsible for their own actions. I don't think the club could have done anymore and without people being upfront it's very difficult to have a proper hearing as such! In regards to being spat at, I totally agree I would rather someone smack me in the chops!

I think the whole thing needs to be put down in the history books and I look forward to the club playing in a new league. At the end of the day we have all done things we regret at some point but the important thing is to learn from it.

[Pigman]

Fair play to you DW for accepting responsibility for your actions and taking the punishment like a man! I can't condone what you or the others did that day, but you have stood up and made yourself accountable for your actions - that's to be commended !

Onwards and upwards - it's done with! We move on!

[Brownie]

Whilst I think the dealings with DW were extremely fair, I just hope the other supporters with bans got a fair hearing and not just a letter through the post.

I also hope that St. Ives have carried out and equally "thorough" investigation, and have issued a ban to their supporter who assaulted a diamonds fan in the first half, leaving him with a split lip and a 3 figure dentist bill, which was arguably the catalyst for any post match scuffles. These lads were also spat at (one of their stewards will verify this) What would YOU do if you were spat at? I know I'd rather be punched than spat at. Would that be caught on a video?? Whilst I don't condone the actions of 2/3 individuals, I think many people need to consider both sides of the story before starting a witch hunt.

I agree with what you're saying mate however people are ultimately responsible for their own actions. I don't think the club could have done anymore and without people being upfront it's very difficult to have a proper hearing as such! In regards to being spat at, I totally agree I would rather someone smack me in the chops!

I think the whole thing needs to be put down in the history books and I look forward to the club playing in a new league. At the end of the day we have all done things we regret at some point but the important thing is to learn from it.

Well said, if anyone looks hard enough we could all find a reason / excuse for doing something we ultimately know we shouldn`t have done, but as you said that in no way helps to justify or excuse it, just possibly makes the person involved feel a little less guilty for their actions. You have taken in I`m sure the opinion of most the other and better option, not looked for an excuse put your hands up apologised and accepted any punishment, I guess I know who you are but don`t as DW but I look forward to seeing the fruits of your work around the ground come July, time now to move on.

[discodunk]

the barrier situation----I was at the post that gave way(I'm over 50 and no rowdy) and along with a lot of other old timers in that area,,,,,,,,we were on the attack ,and the ball went for a corner,at which point we obviously lent forward ,the barrier gave way,about ten mins in,,,,,,i spent the rest of the first half trying to hold it up!!!! at this point I said :if we score,the barrier will go: so at half time we moved

policing the situation------not enough stewards for that size crowd (I only saw 4,two of which were ladies) ,,,,,,,,poor ground to hold such an event(not enough room or segregation )

after the game --- cant comment as I didn't see it,,,,,but well done to the club for sorting it so quick

sorry for any spelling mistakes as its early and I cant be bothered to check,,,,,on to next season

[Trek]

the barrier situation----I was at the post that gave way(I'm over 50 and no rowdy) and along with a lot of other old timers in that area,,,,,,,,we were on the attack ,and the ball went for a corner,at which point we obviously lent forward ,the barrier gave way,about ten mins in,,,,,,i spent the rest of the first half trying to hold it up!!!! at this point I said :if we score,the barrier will go: so at half time we moved

I was also there against that short stretch of barrier in the first half and would confirm it was very clear that it was unsafe at the start of the match and decidedly not 'fit for purpose'. I even queried with our Club Secretary who was standing with me why things of this nature were not picked up at ground grading inspections and weren't these things checked by them and St Ives Town FC pre-match. This is particularly revelant given the size of the crowd, more than double for any match that St Ives Town have ever hosted.

Like you Dunk, after trying to hold the barrier vertical I moved a few yards away after halftime.

However, to back up what Pigman observed from behind the goal, once a few of our 'boisterous' fans had positioned themselves against the barrier in the second half it quickly fell at a 45 degree angle towards the pitch with the inadequate concrete pads actually lifting out if the ground. Around this time a couple of blokes, one who I'd never seen at an AFCRD match before, decided to help it on it's way by stamping on it, and many of us shouted at them to leave it alone.

At this stage the PA made the announcement concerning the barrier and St Ives sent a couple of stewards around and I made the point to them that the barrier was loose prior to the match starting.

I also can't comment on what took place after the final whistle as I departed quickly, anxious to exit the car park, but would add my full support to the Board's action on the matter. Never pleasant for anyone having to deal with the repercussions of such an incident.

[corby diamond]

From the last couple of accounts that is pretty much spot on, there is no doubt about it that is was damaged before kick off, but what disappointed me was the manner in which a couple, and like trek has said one has never been seen at many, if any games decided to finish it off completely by repeatedly stamping on it..

We often say that it gives the club a bad name, but it annoys me when the clubs name is dragged through the mud all over social media and the newspapers in which the final whistle was described as a fracas because of a certain few people can't control their drink..

Let's be honest, the ground was a s*ithole, the pitch was a mess. They clearly wasn't prepared for the crowd they got but was blatant vandalism acceptable? Just wonder what people's reaction would be if that happened at the dog and duck..

[AFCRD_Dan]

From the last couple of accounts that is pretty much spot on, there is no doubt about it that is was damaged before kick off, but what disappointed me was the manner in which a couple, and like trek has said one has never been seen at many, if any games decided to finish it off completely by repeatedly stamping on it..

We often say that it gives the club a bad name, but it annoys me when the clubs name is dragged through the mud all over social media and the newspapers in which the final whistle was described as a fracas because of a certain few people can't control their drink..

Let's be honest, the ground was a s*ithole, the pitch was a mess. They clearly wasn't prepared for the crowd they got but was blatant vandalism acceptable? Just wonder what people's reaction would be if that happened at the dog and duck..

I don't think anything like we saw at St Ives would happen at the Dog & Duck. I certainly hope not.

A- because our pitch side barriers were installed properly (St Ives were not!) I was stood near where it happened, and it was obvious it would cave in eventually. A few attempted to hold it up, but then some idiot decided to push it back down and stamp on it just to make sure.

and
B- because we'd know which supporters are banned. I heard of at least one who had a banning order, after a previous offence at AFC matches, but managed to get in to the St Ives game. Whether or not it was the guy who pushed the barrier down, I don't know.

Well done to everyone involved in identifying the culprits.

[STAGMAN]

With regard to the barrier, i pointed it out to a committee member before the start of the game and told him to take a photo of it. One of the lads who is one of our volunteer stewards took a photo of it { this was before the match started } to show how bad it was. It was obvious it would not last the match wih people 3 and 4 deep behind me and Mrs Stagman. If a risk assesment had been carried out before this game there is no way this goround would have been passed safe. As Disco Dunk syas also a complete lack of Stewards also did not help the situation.