Reg, other than self defence, that is the worst thing Barrow fans could have done. Sure it might have brought some short term satisfaction, but this morning instead of reading of the disgraceful behaviour of Atherstone hooligans, we would be reading about the behaviour of Barrow morons, the club would be facing a FA enquiry, fines and possible expulsion from the competition. I believe the Barrow fans deserve great credit for maintaining their dignity, and upholding the good name of BarrowReg wrote:This is not an attempt to troll, or seek bites.
Why didn't Barrow supporters fight back today?
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not remotely violent, certainly not tough by any means and abhor this kind of thing.
However, if I'd seen some absolute massive cunts assaulting OAP's, I'm pretty sure I couldn't just stand by and not retaliate(for want of a better word).
Not saying that the Barrow fans there should have retaliated or started throwing punches but I sure as hell wouldn't have blamed them if they had.
Atherstone match thread
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Three Lie Ins
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Re: Atherstone match thread
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Holkerbird
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Re: Atherstone match thread
Well done to the Barrow fans for showing great restraint in the face of such violence. Young men attacking pensioners and mostly 16/17 year olds and ripping the flag from the grasp of a very young girl.
Those lads did their best to defend themselves and anyone else being attacked. An elderly man who has breathing difficulties and the need to use a walking stick punched in the face with no chance of defending himself and another person who was punched in the face for just standing there will be fortunate if his nose isn't broken.
To retaliate would have played right into the hands of the officials as one steward commented after it had all died down that the Barrow fans were a disgrace for causing it and had got their club into trouble!!!!! What planet he had inhabited when it was all going off was anyone's guess but it certainly wasn't where we were which was in the Atherstone ground being attacked.
I was proud of our fans yesterday and they should be proud too.
Many thanks to Chris Altree who organised the coach. As we had set off at 8am we were far too early for the game but he had pre-arranged with a nice friendly village pub for us to stop there for a couple of hours prior to heading off to the ground therefore we missed the lunatics who were in the town centre showing off their firework display. We probably wouldn't have even made it to the game if we had come across that lot in the town.
I hope the torn and tattered flag is on display at the next home game to show we may be battered and torn but we are
BARROW AFC
Those lads did their best to defend themselves and anyone else being attacked. An elderly man who has breathing difficulties and the need to use a walking stick punched in the face with no chance of defending himself and another person who was punched in the face for just standing there will be fortunate if his nose isn't broken.
To retaliate would have played right into the hands of the officials as one steward commented after it had all died down that the Barrow fans were a disgrace for causing it and had got their club into trouble!!!!! What planet he had inhabited when it was all going off was anyone's guess but it certainly wasn't where we were which was in the Atherstone ground being attacked.
I was proud of our fans yesterday and they should be proud too.
Many thanks to Chris Altree who organised the coach. As we had set off at 8am we were far too early for the game but he had pre-arranged with a nice friendly village pub for us to stop there for a couple of hours prior to heading off to the ground therefore we missed the lunatics who were in the town centre showing off their firework display. We probably wouldn't have even made it to the game if we had come across that lot in the town.
I hope the torn and tattered flag is on display at the next home game to show we may be battered and torn but we are
BARROW AFC
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barrowaberdeen
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Re: Atherstone match thread
Interesting day 
.
We had very few with us, about 30 on the bus and maybe 10 of them who do the usual singing etc, most of them quite young.
Stopped off in a village outside, very pleasant people, few pints and the first time since 1983 I could put both The Associates and Devo on the jukebox. It wasn't to be the only part of the day was like 1983.
Got in there, there was nominal segregation and about 9 stewards for the whole ground. They had a load of folk bouncing about excitedly waving pyro around. When the teams came out, smoke from both supports and as I'm generally with James 'No Pyro no Party' Phillips on this issue I didn't see a lot wrong with that. What I did think was absolutely crackers was that they'd clearly given their little brothers some and 10 year olds were running around one end launching them at each other. When they lost the second some idiot threw one half way on to the park.
As for the game, well they were outclassed, I have no idea if we played well or not, such was the gulf.
Half time came and I was out the back by the burger van having my 567th argument/discussion about Bayles and Gainsborough with a member of the board when all hell broke loose. Knowing my 15 year old was on that terrace ran back into what turned out to be a bit of a stramash.
I'm very annoyed and insulted to read posts from Reg and others elsewhere about what should/shouldn't have been done- suggesting we just did nothing- the 10 or so of us were massively outnumbered by loads of neds, lots of us have cuts bruises etc. We were too busy defending ourselves to do much about others who were just being randomly attacked everywhere- they really were scum, these people,' load of badly dressed pondlife. Some of the younger lads and Dads on the bus (including my own son) had to stand and try to hold off folk who were older and outnumbered them considerably. The playing staff on the park showed commenable committment to the cause that has been lacking in some away games by getting stuck in' albeit to try and defend Barrow supporters rather than play football. There was no control from the 'Magnificient 9'.
It all died down and rightly we just got on with watching the game and showed restraint and dignity. I also appreciated how the board all came round, making sure folk were O.K, had medical attention if required, needed a lift after etc etc. There was a lot of mutual care and respect in that away support, ordinary folk who go to watch Barrow - it's a family and although we don't agree about everything, we stick together.
10 minutes later the poilce ambled in and stood awkwardly by the burger van in the area where the little brothers were throwing fireworks. After a while,a sergeant strolled round and opined ' oi can soy yew haf boyn assualted soir, wud yew loik to make a comploynt'. I declined his offer- he explained that the club had told them not to enter the ground (probably some really misguided attempt to squeeze maximum cash out of their cup final.
I felt a bit sorry for the Atherstone officials, who were genuinely upset and worried for the random people who'd been attacked- folk who go every week no doubt- but they are culpable. Old men, kids and lasses getting hit is not football hooliganism- it's just scum behaviour and could all have been avoided if they'd dotted a few police about the place.
It was nice to see the players come and applaud us at the end, it's the first time I've felt any solidarity with this group really, so perhaps that's a small good thing to come out of yesterday.
I would like to apologise to any people who after a difficult enough day had to witness me with my top off. However, I had no top left
which is quite annoying as it cost more than the entire wardrobe of the assembled jakies who ripped it off my back.
Atherstone- you are scum and you owe me £80.
Regards
BA
.We had very few with us, about 30 on the bus and maybe 10 of them who do the usual singing etc, most of them quite young.
Stopped off in a village outside, very pleasant people, few pints and the first time since 1983 I could put both The Associates and Devo on the jukebox. It wasn't to be the only part of the day was like 1983.
Got in there, there was nominal segregation and about 9 stewards for the whole ground. They had a load of folk bouncing about excitedly waving pyro around. When the teams came out, smoke from both supports and as I'm generally with James 'No Pyro no Party' Phillips on this issue I didn't see a lot wrong with that. What I did think was absolutely crackers was that they'd clearly given their little brothers some and 10 year olds were running around one end launching them at each other. When they lost the second some idiot threw one half way on to the park.
As for the game, well they were outclassed, I have no idea if we played well or not, such was the gulf.
Half time came and I was out the back by the burger van having my 567th argument/discussion about Bayles and Gainsborough with a member of the board when all hell broke loose. Knowing my 15 year old was on that terrace ran back into what turned out to be a bit of a stramash.
I'm very annoyed and insulted to read posts from Reg and others elsewhere about what should/shouldn't have been done- suggesting we just did nothing- the 10 or so of us were massively outnumbered by loads of neds, lots of us have cuts bruises etc. We were too busy defending ourselves to do much about others who were just being randomly attacked everywhere- they really were scum, these people,' load of badly dressed pondlife. Some of the younger lads and Dads on the bus (including my own son) had to stand and try to hold off folk who were older and outnumbered them considerably. The playing staff on the park showed commenable committment to the cause that has been lacking in some away games by getting stuck in' albeit to try and defend Barrow supporters rather than play football. There was no control from the 'Magnificient 9'.
It all died down and rightly we just got on with watching the game and showed restraint and dignity. I also appreciated how the board all came round, making sure folk were O.K, had medical attention if required, needed a lift after etc etc. There was a lot of mutual care and respect in that away support, ordinary folk who go to watch Barrow - it's a family and although we don't agree about everything, we stick together.
10 minutes later the poilce ambled in and stood awkwardly by the burger van in the area where the little brothers were throwing fireworks. After a while,a sergeant strolled round and opined ' oi can soy yew haf boyn assualted soir, wud yew loik to make a comploynt'. I declined his offer- he explained that the club had told them not to enter the ground (probably some really misguided attempt to squeeze maximum cash out of their cup final.
I felt a bit sorry for the Atherstone officials, who were genuinely upset and worried for the random people who'd been attacked- folk who go every week no doubt- but they are culpable. Old men, kids and lasses getting hit is not football hooliganism- it's just scum behaviour and could all have been avoided if they'd dotted a few police about the place.
It was nice to see the players come and applaud us at the end, it's the first time I've felt any solidarity with this group really, so perhaps that's a small good thing to come out of yesterday.
I would like to apologise to any people who after a difficult enough day had to witness me with my top off. However, I had no top left
which is quite annoying as it cost more than the entire wardrobe of the assembled jakies who ripped it off my back. Atherstone- you are scum and you owe me £80.
Regards
BA
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Bingo
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Re: Atherstone match thread
If you paid £80 for that top it wasn't only yesterday you were a victim of crime
Can I echo my thanks to the bod especially John and Peter who ensured we were ok and that those of us who had come on the train got to the station ok
Thanks Chris too who offered to drop us off on the M6
Can I echo my thanks to the bod especially John and Peter who ensured we were ok and that those of us who had come on the train got to the station ok
Thanks Chris too who offered to drop us off on the M6
Re: Atherstone match thread
It's a good job we didn't retaliate as I've no doubt the football authorities would have come down on our club like a ton of bricks, stiffing us with a fine we don't need at this time!
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Steelworks End
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Re: Atherstone match thread
Firstly, let me say that I am sorry for the genuine Atherstone supporters who had their big day and the name of their club besmirched by a number of mindless idiots. We spoke to a few home fans in the town centre before the game; they were very friendly and gave us some much appreciated good advice on where best to eat and drink, and details of a useful a shortcut to the ground. More ominously, perhaps, they also warned us not to go into certain pubs around the market square as troublemakers were out and about.
At the ground segregation was in force although it seemed that both stand patrons and visiting supporters used the same entrance – we were just told to go through and turn right – after being searched, of course.
It was clear from the number of flares thrown before the game started that this search policy hadn’t been applied across the ground – indeed, one of the stewards told me that they had been instructed to stop searching fans to prevent queues building up outside the ground. If this is the case, then it is dereliction of duty by whoever made this decision,
The flares continued during the first half, including one thrown onto the pitch unseen by the referee as play continued; the assistant on our side of the field must have seen it but chose to ignore the potential risk to players.
As the half time whistle blew, a number of yobs escaped from the far side of the pitch and made their way behind the goalmouth towards the Barrow end, the few stewards on duty in this area powerless to stop them. Others just took route one across the pitch. Their target was not like-mindless thugs; it was the mixture of families with young children and older supporters, including one needing to use a walking stick, remaining on the terrace. Many of the visiting fans had already made their way to the snack bar, those on the terrace found themselves facing a braying mob who laid in indiscriminately to whoever was nearest. And flares were thrown into the crowd.
The stewards were powerless to prevent this unwarranted attack on innocent fans, and the theft (and subsequent damage to) a Barrow flag, and the police were, at that time, conspicuous by their absence. (They came into the ground later, but were congregated in the furthest corner from where the assaults had taken place).
By the time a semblance of law and order – or more accurately a cessation of hostilities – was restored, many Barrow fans had already taken the decision to call it a day, others – me included – left well before the delayed second half ended. The fear of further violence was a real one.
Speaking to a police officer on the way out of the ground I asked why they hadn’t acted earlier before the trouble occurred, and why they hadn’t taken action over the number of flares being thrown? His response was that they had been called to the club (and 999 calls had also been made by Barrow supporters fearful for the safety of themselves and their families) but that officials had refused them entry. This is unbelievable when criminal acts were taking place within the ground and crowd safety was a serious concern.
I am afraid that the Atherstone Directors must be called to account for the trouble which took place, in particular:-
• What assessment of stewarding levels was made, and was this level demonstrated to be capable of coping with the crowd – way above Atherstone’s normal attendance?
• Why was the searching of supporters stopped, allowing a large number of flares to be brought into the ground unchallenged?
• Why was no action seen to be taken against those throwing flares before and during the match?
• Why, when it became clear that the stewards were unable to cope, were the police not called immediately?
• When the police did arrive at the ground, why were they denied admission?
The club must be accountable to the Football Association for what happened on the day.
At the ground segregation was in force although it seemed that both stand patrons and visiting supporters used the same entrance – we were just told to go through and turn right – after being searched, of course.
It was clear from the number of flares thrown before the game started that this search policy hadn’t been applied across the ground – indeed, one of the stewards told me that they had been instructed to stop searching fans to prevent queues building up outside the ground. If this is the case, then it is dereliction of duty by whoever made this decision,
The flares continued during the first half, including one thrown onto the pitch unseen by the referee as play continued; the assistant on our side of the field must have seen it but chose to ignore the potential risk to players.
As the half time whistle blew, a number of yobs escaped from the far side of the pitch and made their way behind the goalmouth towards the Barrow end, the few stewards on duty in this area powerless to stop them. Others just took route one across the pitch. Their target was not like-mindless thugs; it was the mixture of families with young children and older supporters, including one needing to use a walking stick, remaining on the terrace. Many of the visiting fans had already made their way to the snack bar, those on the terrace found themselves facing a braying mob who laid in indiscriminately to whoever was nearest. And flares were thrown into the crowd.
The stewards were powerless to prevent this unwarranted attack on innocent fans, and the theft (and subsequent damage to) a Barrow flag, and the police were, at that time, conspicuous by their absence. (They came into the ground later, but were congregated in the furthest corner from where the assaults had taken place).
By the time a semblance of law and order – or more accurately a cessation of hostilities – was restored, many Barrow fans had already taken the decision to call it a day, others – me included – left well before the delayed second half ended. The fear of further violence was a real one.
Speaking to a police officer on the way out of the ground I asked why they hadn’t acted earlier before the trouble occurred, and why they hadn’t taken action over the number of flares being thrown? His response was that they had been called to the club (and 999 calls had also been made by Barrow supporters fearful for the safety of themselves and their families) but that officials had refused them entry. This is unbelievable when criminal acts were taking place within the ground and crowd safety was a serious concern.
I am afraid that the Atherstone Directors must be called to account for the trouble which took place, in particular:-
• What assessment of stewarding levels was made, and was this level demonstrated to be capable of coping with the crowd – way above Atherstone’s normal attendance?
• Why was the searching of supporters stopped, allowing a large number of flares to be brought into the ground unchallenged?
• Why was no action seen to be taken against those throwing flares before and during the match?
• Why, when it became clear that the stewards were unable to cope, were the police not called immediately?
• When the police did arrive at the ground, why were they denied admission?
The club must be accountable to the Football Association for what happened on the day.
Last edited by Steelworks End on Sun Oct 13, 2013 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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chris lavery
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Re: Atherstone match thread
I was proud of our fans yesterday and the club should be proud too, i hope every one is ok and we will see you all in the 4th qualifying round!! :flag:
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Adam29
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Re: Atherstone match thread
Was surreal and the worst thing iv ever seen in my years supporting barrow.
As many said full credit to our fans for not being lured in, and getting behind the team as we know we can.
Massive praise to our subs for getting stuck in and dragging a few of the knuckle staggers
Down.
As for the clowns who were glorifying their actions
On social network last night, hope they got a nice early morning knock on the door today, I'm sure their families will be really proud!!
Together we stand, together we fall!! (Sorry Louie but after all the credit you got off me on the way back I had to
)
As many said full credit to our fans for not being lured in, and getting behind the team as we know we can.
Massive praise to our subs for getting stuck in and dragging a few of the knuckle staggers
Down.
As for the clowns who were glorifying their actions
On social network last night, hope they got a nice early morning knock on the door today, I'm sure their families will be really proud!!
Together we stand, together we fall!! (Sorry Louie but after all the credit you got off me on the way back I had to
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Bigfathoss
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Re: Atherstone match thread
I see BBC Sport are calling it alleged and only showing the BAFC badge! Does Atherstone not even have a crest??
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24509448
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24509448
Last edited by Bigfathoss on Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A=A
Your life, is YOUR life. Live it.
Your life, is YOUR life. Live it.
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boyliegladbach
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Re: Atherstone match thread
Who are Barrow in Furness FC.
http://onlinenews.warwickshire.police.u ... um=twitter
http://onlinenews.warwickshire.police.u ... um=twitter
Re: Atherstone match thread
They do, but it's a bit shit.Bigfathoss wrote:I see BBC Sport are calling it alleged and only showing the BAFC badge! Does Atherstone not even have a crest??
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24509448
Dave C
Keep asking questions, don't eat the bullshit!
Keep asking questions, don't eat the bullshit!
Re: Atherstone match thread
Taken from Atherstone Town official statement.
The Board of Directors wish to make the following statement.
Atherstone Town's progression into the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup has been a great footballing and Club achievement. All those genuinely associated with the Club should be proud.
Today we welcomed Conference North side, Barrow. Eventually the gulf in leagues told and Barrow were worthy winners. What should have been a great day for all was ruined by the behaviour of a small minority of mindless idiots.
All precautions were taken and risks mitigated prior to the match. A professional squad of stewards and the Police were involved in a series of preparation meetings held with Club officials. All health and safety issues and obligations were addressed.
We will be working closely with the Police and any other authorites to identify and if possible help bring prosecutions against those involved.
Atherstone Town is a family Club and we will be working hard to rebuild our good reputation.
We unreservedly apologise to any fan who had to witness the totally unacceptable scenes and behaviour.
Although the Barrow Directors, management team and most supporters understood that it was a mindless minority, Atherstone Town would like to apologise and of course, wish them well in the next round and for the rest of the season. This is not what Atherstone Town stand for nor operate as a Club.
The Board of Directors wish to make the following statement.
Atherstone Town's progression into the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup has been a great footballing and Club achievement. All those genuinely associated with the Club should be proud.
Today we welcomed Conference North side, Barrow. Eventually the gulf in leagues told and Barrow were worthy winners. What should have been a great day for all was ruined by the behaviour of a small minority of mindless idiots.
All precautions were taken and risks mitigated prior to the match. A professional squad of stewards and the Police were involved in a series of preparation meetings held with Club officials. All health and safety issues and obligations were addressed.
We will be working closely with the Police and any other authorites to identify and if possible help bring prosecutions against those involved.
Atherstone Town is a family Club and we will be working hard to rebuild our good reputation.
We unreservedly apologise to any fan who had to witness the totally unacceptable scenes and behaviour.
Although the Barrow Directors, management team and most supporters understood that it was a mindless minority, Atherstone Town would like to apologise and of course, wish them well in the next round and for the rest of the season. This is not what Atherstone Town stand for nor operate as a Club.
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Steelworks End
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Re: Atherstone match thread
I hope that all the media reports will make it clear that Barrow supporters were not involved in any way in starting or continuing the violence; any reported "fighting" was innocent people protecting themselves from an attack by a mindless bunch of yobs, something that the stewards & police were unable to do.
Atherstone match thread
999 calls made by fearful Barrow fans in the ground but refused entry by officials begs two questions.
1) why did the officials refuse them entry?
2) why did they listen? They have a legal right and duty to enter a property where people are in danger. Being told 'I'm sorry you can't come in' holds no authority, this is the police.
1) why did the officials refuse them entry?
2) why did they listen? They have a legal right and duty to enter a property where people are in danger. Being told 'I'm sorry you can't come in' holds no authority, this is the police.
"I'm aware of the rules of Association Football, I merely choose to suspend them when my own team is involved" - Steve Herbert, 2011
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Holkerbird
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Re: Atherstone match thread
I am happy to say I collected the flag from the ground this morning and it is back in the hands of it's owner, Chris. As we unfurled and inspected it on Schneider Rd it was a sorry looking sight and we agreed it was unrepairable but it can be hung showing it's battle scars in all it's glory.
Thanks to Uncle Peter for transporting it back to Barrow and to whoever rescued/retrieved it from the Atherstone ground.
Happily no ransom was demanded for said return.
Thanks to Uncle Peter for transporting it back to Barrow and to whoever rescued/retrieved it from the Atherstone ground.
Happily no ransom was demanded for said return.
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