Today's incident on SportBible

[Andyhsufc]

The only pleasing feature of this embarrassing publicity is that some pretty clear pictures of the gentleman are now circulating. I hope the police will pick them up and take action.

 

[kentblues]

I probably won't be thanked for saying this (apologies in advance..). At most risk here is that someone notices that at Roots Hall rather than the 'home ends*' being at opposite ends of the ground (you won't get many supporters running the entire length of the pitch to have a go) there is a distance of a mere 20-30 meters if the away club bring a good few supporters.

Wordsworth and Barrett were running to celebrate in front of the 'home end' (Barrett got booked because the referee felt it was so close to the away supporters it was provocative).

We have to ignore (however difficult) what their supporters do and control our own imbeciles. Otherwise we will draw attention to the above and who knows how many pages the logical conclusion from that thought process will provoke..

* I call it home end for want of a better description but hopefully my point is understood (although no doubt not agreed with..)

 

[Evening Echo]

Police to investigate Southend fan's apparent charge at Colchester rivals

ESSEX Police has*launched an investigation after a Southend United fan appeared to run across the pitch to assault rival Colchester United supporters during the Essex derby.

More...

 

[ooh-andy-ansah]

I think the cristicism of the police is fully justified. The guy quite casually walked back past them and into the crowd. 2 of the 4 were filming, the other 2 did nothing, I suspect they were plastic police as I call them, specials. If you don't want to get involved when something kicks off then don't sign up.

The point about the police dogs is a good one, couple of those in that corner would have prevented it, guess you have to be a real copper to be trained to handle them though.

This isn't all the clubs fault, i'm sure Ron didn't try and save cash by ordering 4 plastic plod.

 

[AndyT]

First time I've seen that picture.

Shouldn't be too difficult to ascertain who is responsible, from both sets of supporters and not just the Southend lad.

 

[southendwill]

Same old Southend fans making a mountain out of a mole hill. It's embarrassing the way our supporters make a big deal out of an isolated bit of disorder. Seriously. This is why the atmosphere at Roots Hall will never be great because no one has each other's back. I personally loved the passion and hostility that incident caused, made it a real Derby atmosphere instead of it being all happy clappy.

 

[Bratislava Blue]

Col u fans were looking for trouble from the start.
They beat our stewards threw coins and then decided to punch one of our players.

They weren't saints and can't really complain that at getting a response. At most games that behaviour would have seen them nicked or at least ejected. Nothing happened so sonedecided to try and take the law into there own hands.

It doesn't make it right, but I'm just saying it was very much provoked.

I was actually stood right next to the guy that we are talking about and he is a regular.

Was a regular

 

[Jam_Man]

U's fan here, very silly behaviour from both sets of fans indeed. Undoubtedly morons in our end who were more interested in goading the home fans than watching the game, throwing coins and fighting with stewards is totally unacceptable. The bloke who ran on the pitch, well he's in for it, why oh why would anyone do that in today's football police era? He could lose his job, spend time inside alongside receiving a lengthy ban! The kid he punched is about 17 but as many have said if he was goading the whole time then it was hardly unprovoked to an extent. But we all take responsibility for our own actions and that fella will be paying a very heavy price now!

Anyway, as always it's just a minority. I'll choose to remember the vast amount of Southend fans who donated to Tom Leggets charity over one or two mindless idiots who think doing what they done yesterday makes them heroes, I'm sure they'll feel heroic in their police cell.

Nice and balanced view point.

Seeing on social media most Col U fans just blaming Southend fans, but I assume this is because being in the same stand they didnt get a good overview of what happened.

I didnt see the beginning of it, but I did see our fan run over and start punching and it was clear that Col U fans were already fighting stewards before he did that and trying to get through to Southend fans.

No excuse of either behaviour.

 

[Bratislava Blue]

They didn't have to take a punch to stop someone from entering the pitch and then running accross the pitch before punching multiple Col U fans

Whos job is it to control the fans and prevent them from entering the pitch and attacking other fans if not the stewards?

Fans should be able to control themselves... It's called restraint, common sense and self discipline... Stewards can't do this

 

[Jam_Man]

They didn't have to take a punch to stop someone from entering the pitch and then running accross the pitch before punching multiple Col U fans

Whos job is it to control the fans and prevent them from entering the pitch and attacking other fans if not the stewards?

Most of the stewards were overwhelmed, when the guy ran over most of them were struggling to hold back Col U fans.

When he attacked them a female steward tried to grab him and got a wack herself for her troubles.

Stewards arent security guards, some of them are female and some of them are old fellas, they arent all capable of taking down an idiot throwing punches as the female steward found out.

Are we saying we should now have to recruit security type stewards to keep our own supporters in line? Its a very sad day if so.

 

[AndyT]

... Nice.

"Punching women". .. Dear oh dear!

Edit : Explained better below, so have taken the above back.

 

[Jam_Man]

... Nice.

Punching women. .. Dear oh dear!

Not sure it was a punch but he certainly struck out/pushed away.

 

[ian_the_girth]

so at what point are the police to get involved, rather than just recording the fans for future clips on youve been frammed. if i took a gun in to the west and starting aiming at the col ewe fans, would the police have to get permission from SUFC before coming over to me? a bit dramatic i know, but i didnt see the three police doing anything while any trouble was going on.

 

[AndyT]

Much obliged 'Jam Man'.

Maybe he didn't realize it was a woman, if she was to the side or behind him.

Benefit of the doubt on that one.

 

[Jam_Man]

so at what point are the police to get involved, rather than just recording the fans for future clips on youve been frammed. if i took a gun in to the west and starting aiming at the col ewe fans, would the police have to get permission from SUFC before coming over to me? a bit dramatic i know, but i didnt see the three police doing anything while any trouble was going on.

As it was happening I was expecting to see the police coming in to the corner. Why that didnt happen I have no idea.

Much obliged.

Maybe he didn't realize it was a woman, if she was to the side or behind him.

Benefit of the doubt on that one.

Was from behind so he was just lashing out at who grabbed him.

Even so it just illustrates the point when people say why didnt they stop him, what was she meant to do after that point, he was not going to let her "take him down". Unless you have bouncer type stewards its unfair to criticise those that were in that situation. Maybe thats whats needed in future, and if that happens they will no doubt get criticised for being "heavy handed".

 

[Ricey]

I notice that The Sun have grabbed hold of this and have some pretty clear frontal pics of the guy. Daily Mail have also run a story on it.

 

[Bratislava Blue]

I'm glad the guy went over and threw a few punches, teach them that giving it to people does have it's consequences.

If you're brave enough to support his actions why weren't you brave enough to join in on his actions??

 

[Sherif H]

If you're brave enough to support his actions why weren't you brave enough to join in on his actions??

Absolutely - not big, not clever and in no way hard. If anybody wants to fight, then join the Army and be a hero. Slapping on some Stone Island top and making yourself look like a **** in front of the Nation by clocking some 16 year old chavs isn't a good look.

Yes, our fans were being heavily incited, but this doesn't make it right.

 

[Jam_Man]

The guy is now going to find out that 'giving it to people' certainly does have its consequences.

Was it really worth the ban he will now get?

 

[McNasty]

So are you supporting hooliganism?