[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2022/23 Edition

[jackalbion]

These incidents in the last week from that section of so-called fans is reminding me of something I wrote in the wake of them letting fireworks off inside the ground at Hassocks in April. While it more related to that and the regular lighting of flares by the "Golds Ultras", my general point was that they would quickly gain a bad reputation at Isthmian level if the club didn't make an effort to nip in the bud some of the behaviour that they got away with at County level because it "created an atmosphere" at games. As you say about the unpleasant vibe created by said "fans", everyone I know that went to the friendly vs Worthing's Youth team said it was a nasty atmosphere.

And here we are - it's taken only a week and a half for said idiots to give them a reputation that proper fans of the club don't deserve. After destroying multiple barriers around the pitch at Faversham (however ancient and rotting they may have been, it happened more than once) and then the homophobic abuse at Whitehawk, what happens next? The club officials either continue to tolerate behaviour like that at games home and away because that group are the ones creating an atmosphere and then the league are the ones who have to step in, or they take some action themselves.

I agree with all of this, sadly with a lot of teams doing well they seem to attract some fans who are too used to the segregated nature of league football and give it the biggun, and be unnecessary.

A similar thing happened at Glossop when I visited recently with Emley, straight after Glossop scored a large group of youth (some far too old to be acting like tools) decided that they instead would charge down to the far end of the stadium to mouth off at the Emley fans who had congregated there. A load of abuse was sent the way of about 20 odd fans, which had the mean age of about 70 and a bloke and his 3 sons, it was really quite nasty, and absolutely no need. Most of them folded when confronted and told to piss off, by some Emley fans and myself for being such arses. The more established Glossop fans and officials were quite apologetic when we visited the club house after the game, and just wanted to chat about local non-league.

It would be a real shame if some idiots at Littlehampton ruined what has been amazing success for them recently. I watched Littlehampton a lot over the last season and often their fans are always good for a chat and I know a few of them personally who watch BHAFC and are sound, but some, who are far too be old to be scrapping at non league, maybe need a word from the club, telling them to tone it down, or just go back to League football. Find it bizarre the hostility that they show to some for example like Worthing, with the links they often have with players.

 

[Roadrunner]

It would be a real shame if some idiots at Littlehampton ruined what has been amazing success for them recently. I watched Littlehampton a lot over the last season and often their fans are always good for a chat and I know a few of them personally who watch BHAFC and are sound, but some, who are far too be old to be scrapping at non league, maybe need a word from the club, telling them to tone it down, or just go back to League football. Find it bizarre the hostility that they show to some for example like Worthing, with the links they often have with players.

It's fair to say that the committe have been a little slow to react, but these are certainly unprecedented times for Littlehampton. It's not as if they've done nothing, though; they have brought in security checks at the gate, which have stopped flares and alcohol being brought into the ground, and they have at least 3 stewards monitoring the problem area of the ground. My criticism is that these stewards seem to be nothing more than a visual presence and don't afford any real deterrent. They are probably reluctant to alienate that entire section of fans, so need to focus on the handful of genuine trouble makers. I don't think there's anything in the attempt to force some kind of rivalry with Worthing - that was just a couple of younger individuals getting a bit over-excited.

 

[MattBackHome]

A similar thing happened at Glossop when I visited recently with Emley...

A sentence which only you could write on this board

 

[Roadrunner]

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/littlehamptontown/news/club-statement-2721722.html

Response to Faversham & Whitehawk games
Littlehampton Town Football Club issue the following statement following the first two league games of the season, beginning with our match away at Faversham last Saturday.

Faversham (13 August)

There have been numerous allegations concerning our supporters at the Faversham fixture.

There were two incidents both following Littlehampton's goals in which the pitch perimeter fencing collapsed. The first incident resulted in an injury to Aaron Capon who was substituted minutes later due to the severity of the injury sustained.

There is significant video evidence showing the collapse and the conditions of the perimeter fencing. Contrary to social media accusations these fences were not kicked down. They collapsed under the weight of celebration by fans. We are currently in discussions with authorities regarding the two perimeter collapses.

Again contrary to reports on social media the police were not called by Faversham to remove our fans from the ground. The police were at the ground before the game started after discussions between all parties in the days leading up to the match. No fans were arrested or ejected from the ground.

Another accusation on social media is a pub in Faversham was smashed up. Again this is another false rumour.

Our fans were never refused bar service so we believe people selling alcohol in town and at the ground did not consider them to be too intoxicated to continue drinking.

*
Whitehawk (16 August)

We are currently investigating several concerning incidents and allegations. We have been in constant communication with Whitehawk to discuss these matters.

We are extremely disappointed to hear a homophobic chant was sung during the match and the fans that participated in this chant have let themselves down and the club down hugely. We don’t condone homophobic behaviour and we shall work to investigate individuals involved. Football is for everyone to play.

There were ejections from the ground for several matters throughout the night. These actions have been caught on CCTV and other video footage. Following one incident at the end of the game outside the ground an image has been sent to police to see if they can help identify a person involved.

We will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour from supporters of Littlehampton Town and we continue to work hard with the many authorities to stop this. Bans will be imposed on any supporters who are identified and found guilty of offences at any match.

Yesterday evening an allegation of racism was made against our captain Jordan Clark on social media. Jordan is shocked and strongly denies the allegation and he has the club's full support through the investigation.

Also under investigation is an allegation of discriminatory language used against several of our players.

Ourselves and Whitehawk are both still in the process of reviewing footage of the whole night and remain in constant contact.

We will not allow a small minority to tarnish the name of our club and to spoil the enjoyment of football for others.

We ask people do not continue to speculate on social media and not post things on hearsay. We have also noted the discriminatory comments aimed at both our club and supporters on social media, which mirrors the comments our fans are being investigated for.

 

[rigton70]

Does anyone know if Worthing v Eastbourne on Bank holiday Monday is all ticket.

On the website i do not have the option to buy a ticket.

 

[Superphil]

Does anyone know if Worthing v Eastbourne on Bank holiday Monday is all ticket.

On the website i do not have the option to buy a ticket.

Tickets go on sale on their website nearer the time, so keep an eye on it in the week before, that’s when we’ve bought ours for the last 2 home games.

 

[Vatican Citys No.2 Keeper]

Does anyone know if Worthing v Eastbourne on Bank holiday Monday is all ticket.

On the website i do not have the option to buy a ticket.

Too early to tell on that, but given it could be one of the biggest home attendances of the season (only Sussex team we'll play all season and the Bank Holiday) means that it could be made all ticket nearer the time. The only time last season we made games all ticket were after we'd sealed promotion and got multiple gates of over 2,000 - they may have kept a couple of hundred at most on the gate. As [MENTION=268]Superphil[/MENTION] says, they'll go on sale nearer the time and it £1 cheaper to buy them online as opposed to on the gate.

Don't quote me on this as heard purely through the grapevine, but there is a chance that after what happened in the opening game with Dover, the club could be trialling segregation for the first time for this game. Not that they're expecting any skulduggery or thuggishness from Borough fans like we saw from the 30 or so scumbags who came up from Kent, but that there'll be a big enough away following to test it out.

 

[keaton]

Fantastic day at the Dripping Pan. Down to ten men for over an hour, beating Bishops Stortford (last season's runners up) 2-1 thanks to two brilliant goals, the first one in particular was amazing.

Really good, solid performance

 

[stewart12]

0-0 between Worthing and Chippenham.

Think this may be a common theme this season with teams sitting back when they come to Woodside Road and Worthing not quite having enough to break them down. Having said that Worthing had more than enough chances to score. Frustrating game but a good game overall

 

[atfc village]

Oldham away next Friday ,followed by Chadderton Town v Frickley in the Vase Saturday .

 

[MattBackHome]

Fantastic day at the Dripping Pan. Down to ten men for over an hour, beating Bishops Stortford (last season's runners up) 2-1 thanks to two brilliant goals, the first one in particular was amazing.

Really good, solid performance

Gutted I missed it. Just watched the highlights and that first goal was sublime.

 

[MattBackHome]

[MENTION=3166]keaton[/MENTION] Champo deserved MotM?

 

[amexer]

Is the Lewes player that went to Cardiff playing in the first team

 

[Steve Foster]

0-0 between Worthing and Chippenham.

Think this may be a common theme this season with teams sitting back when they come to Woodside Road and Worthing not quite having enough to break them down. Having said that Worthing had more than enough chances to score. Frustrating game but a good game overall

Thought there were more than the 1,394 in attendance.
Frustrating draw but the Rebels are having a great early season

 

[keaton]

[MENTION=3166]keaton[/MENTION] Champo deserved MotM?

Like Tuesday it was a genuinely good all round performance but he did keep everything together. Personally I would have given it to Elva-Fontain as after the sending off we played without a right-winger, and he was brilliant without any support in front of him but also in getting forward. He also made an amazing length of the pitch run and dribble towards the end (which somehow didn't make the highlights)

 

[keaton]

Is the Lewes player that went to Cardiff playing in the first team

Been on the bench once or twice and got a start on the league cup game

 

[stewart12]

Thought there were more than the 1,394 in attendance.
Frustrating draw but the Rebels are having a great early season

seemed about right- hardly any away fans (about 15?). Last season I found that anything over 1500 resulted in mental queues everywhere but it wasn't too bad yesterday, although the new bar by the entrance helps with that a bit

 

[Deleted member 37369]

0-0 between Worthing and Chippenham.

Think this may be a common theme this season with teams sitting back when they come to Woodside Road and Worthing not quite having enough to break them down. Having said that Worthing had more than enough chances to score. Frustrating game but a good game overall

Chippenham clearly came for a point ... and that's what they took away! Although as you say, Worthing had plenty of chances. Male only had to make a couple of decent stops ... surprised he got MotM!

Worthing players seemed very unhappy with the disallowed goal in the first half. Couldn't tell from where I was and haven't seen video play-back as yet.

Great start to season ... especially away from home.

 

[stewart12]

Chippenham clearly came for a point ... and that's what they took away! Although as you say, Worthing had plenty of chances. Male only had to make a couple of decent stops ... surprised he got MotM!

Worthing players seemed very unhappy with the disallowed goal in the first half. Couldn't tell from where I was and haven't seen video play-back as yet.

Great start to season ... especially away from home.

I was actually in line with the disallowed goal and I couldn't work out what it was for. Lino flagged offside but I couldn't see how that was possible personally given that it was bundled into the net by someone charging in

 

[Springal]

0-0 between Worthing and Chippenham.

Think this may be a common theme this season with teams sitting back when they come to Woodside Road and Worthing not quite having enough to break them down. Having said that Worthing had more than enough chances to score. Frustrating game but a good game overall

Where was Robinson ? Injured ? Saw someone suggest he had got another offer