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Extra police drafted in for big match clash
EXTRA police have been drafted in amid fears of violence erupting at Crawley Town's Nationwide Conference game with Aldershot Town at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday (August 21).
The Reds face the Hampshire
outfit for the first time since the infamous FA Cup clash in September 2000, when a mass brawl broke out outside the Half Moon pub in Brighton Road, Southgate.
And club bosses and police are keen to avoid a repeat of the fighting.
In the run up to the game an anonymous posting on Crawley Town's fans website threatened similar violence, but the comments have been dismissed.
Reds managing director Steve Duly is hoping the game will pass off without trouble. He said: "We are working very closely with Sussex Police and expect a big crowd as it is a local side. It's very easy for someone to make comments on a website, but they could be anyone trying to gee up excitement.
"All I can go on is Crawley fans' history of behaviour and we have no record of any trouble. But if anyone is involved in fighting, they will be punished severely by us not allowing them to enter the stadium ever again. It doesn't matter if it's home or away fans."
Steve added: "Ground regulations are robust and the stadium is safe, police will be on duty outside the ground, I think we are fairly well covered to deal with any trouble."
Aldershot Town FC chairman Karl Prentice also dismissed the website comments saying: "We take about 600-700 fans to big profile games, but every football club has a minority of fans who are only trying to stir things up. We are working with the police so that these so-called fans do not attend matches."
A police spokeswoman said: "In conjunction with the club, we have agreed to police the event. It is hoped that following Crawley's promotion to the Conference, all supporters will enjoy the increased standard of football being played in the town, and will support their teams in a responsible way."
Kevin Giles, chairman of the Crawley Town FC Supporters' Club, said:
"Obviously it's a big game and hopefully it will go off peacefully. There is a little fear that Aldershot fans seem intent on coming up for a fight, and we don't want those sort of people here. It would be a shame if there was any trouble as it's the football that's important. Let's have a good game and go home friends."
A spokeswoman for Spirit Group, who own the Half Moon pub, said: "We do not want to say what security measures we are taking. But the Half Moon pub does not tolerate violence of any kind and will be taking measures to ensure the safety of its customers."
EXTRA police have been drafted in amid fears of violence erupting at Crawley Town's Nationwide Conference game with Aldershot Town at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday (August 21).
The Reds face the Hampshire
outfit for the first time since the infamous FA Cup clash in September 2000, when a mass brawl broke out outside the Half Moon pub in Brighton Road, Southgate.
And club bosses and police are keen to avoid a repeat of the fighting.
In the run up to the game an anonymous posting on Crawley Town's fans website threatened similar violence, but the comments have been dismissed.
Reds managing director Steve Duly is hoping the game will pass off without trouble. He said: "We are working very closely with Sussex Police and expect a big crowd as it is a local side. It's very easy for someone to make comments on a website, but they could be anyone trying to gee up excitement.
"All I can go on is Crawley fans' history of behaviour and we have no record of any trouble. But if anyone is involved in fighting, they will be punished severely by us not allowing them to enter the stadium ever again. It doesn't matter if it's home or away fans."
Steve added: "Ground regulations are robust and the stadium is safe, police will be on duty outside the ground, I think we are fairly well covered to deal with any trouble."
Aldershot Town FC chairman Karl Prentice also dismissed the website comments saying: "We take about 600-700 fans to big profile games, but every football club has a minority of fans who are only trying to stir things up. We are working with the police so that these so-called fans do not attend matches."
A police spokeswoman said: "In conjunction with the club, we have agreed to police the event. It is hoped that following Crawley's promotion to the Conference, all supporters will enjoy the increased standard of football being played in the town, and will support their teams in a responsible way."
Kevin Giles, chairman of the Crawley Town FC Supporters' Club, said:
"Obviously it's a big game and hopefully it will go off peacefully. There is a little fear that Aldershot fans seem intent on coming up for a fight, and we don't want those sort of people here. It would be a shame if there was any trouble as it's the football that's important. Let's have a good game and go home friends."
A spokeswoman for Spirit Group, who own the Half Moon pub, said: "We do not want to say what security measures we are taking. But the Half Moon pub does not tolerate violence of any kind and will be taking measures to ensure the safety of its customers."
