9th tier club made to play match behind closed doors after incidents, bad behaviour and chants

9th tier club Newport Pagnell Town were made to play a match behind closed doors on Monday night after incidents, bad behaviour and chants.

No fans were allowed through the turnstiles for Newport Pagnell Town’s match at home to Rothwell Corinthians by order of the FA, following various crowd troubles.

They have also been fined by the Football Association (FA) with further details made in a statement via the NPTFC website.

🚨 Important Announcement 🚨

NPTFC V @RothwellCFC

Due to a Charge imposed on the club by the FA Commision, our game on Monday 17th April will be played behind closed doors.

More information will follow in due course. pic.twitter.com/c43PSxVlt1

— Newport Pagnell Town FC (@nptfc) April 14, 2023

The teams are out… pic.twitter.com/qlsXvDLi2E

— Newport Pagnell Town FC (@nptfc) April 17, 2023

An update on our match v Rothwell Corinthians that is to be played behind closed doors on Monday 17th April at Willen Road.

NPTFC has been charged by the FA with failure to ensure our supporters conducted themselves in an orderly fashion following the allegation of discriminatory remarks (namely indecent chants focused at the Travelling Community) from our home supporters directed towards the Atherstone fans in the FA Vase Quarter Final.

This coupled with charges received over the past two seasons relating to crowd disturbances, notably concerning pitch invasions, use of flares, homophobic language and obscene chanting from our supporters, has seen the FA Commission impose sanctions against Newport Pagnell Town Football Club and its supporters, as follows:

– A significant fine for NPTFC

– An order to play our next home game behind closed doors.

NPTFC would like to make it clear that we do not condone racist or homophobic behaviour and we fully support the FA’s decision.

We have tried to improve our off field operations as our fanbase has grown significantly over the past 3 years; further improvements are now planned to ensure we do everything we can to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.

Newport are massive, everywhere they go 🎵 🦢 pic.twitter.com/X9S53yZFH8

— Newport Pagnell Town FC (@nptfc) March 11, 2023

Among several teams who have had to warn their fans over their behaviour at matches are Chester and Darlington with a fair few statements issued throughout this season.

Chester spoke out on trouble at a match against Chorley with it reported that a steward was assaulted.

They said: “There is a minority who are putting themselves, fellow supporters and the club at risk through anti-social and criminal behaviours.

“As a result of these actions, the club is under closer scrutiny and fans can expect to see additional measures in operation for the fixtures with Chorley and Southport.

“It would be a great shame for any supporter to find themselves banned from attending matches or facing more serious sanctions, during what we hope will be a memorable finish to the season.

“You may think entering the field of play to celebrate or bringing smoke grenades to games adds to the atmosphere, but these are dangerous, irresponsible acts that put the health and safety of supporters, players and officials at risk.

“We have also received reports of abusive language from a handful of supporters towards matchday stewards, which is wholly unacceptable. The stewarding team play a hugely important role in keeping everyone safe and deserve to be treated with respect.

“This weekend provides an opportunity for us demonstrate the progress Chester Football Club is making on and off the pitch, and we all have a part to play.

“There is so much for us to be positive about. Don’t be that one that lets your club down.”

Pissed up nutter invades the pitch with two beers, throws a smoke cannister into the away fans and gets chased off by the chorley manager #cocainenonleague pic.twitter.com/9JmgIykbMv

— Harry H (@HarryH15509101) April 7, 2023

Darlington also launched an important campaign against discrimination as a player of theirs speaks out on racist abuse. You can read more on that by clicking HERE.

This is what fans said as the 9th tier club made to play their match behind closed doors after incidents, bad behaviour and chants…

@RussWWFC: Ludicrous, punishing a whole load of people for the actions of one person. Should have found the culprit, banned, fined and criminally charged them.

@MaccerAli: Done for racism, also a fine was imposed

@TerryShrieves: Absolutely ridiculous

@Dave_Stacey87: Wtaf?!

@LUKEWARD__: Racist bastards

@back_centre: Wind your neck in boy, tarnishing a whole fanbase for the action of one twat makes you a twat, think before you gob off.

@bigalex1984: At least they have imposed sanctions on a league game and not the case final. Silver lining and all that

@Elliot_2008: So behind closed doors for not liking travellers?? The same group that got @DaventryTownFC game called off last week?? How dare anyone Dislike them!!

@sidbowers64: Reading all the statement it’s for a number of things, I would have a punt that they were already on a warning prior to that game

@Elliot_2008: Yeah most likely

@DiskoNick: It wasnt aimed at a group or travellers in the same way as the issue Daventry had. It was aimed at the away fans ( by a very small group of NP fans & soon stopped), lots of niggle in the build up to the game. Allegedly some away chants about a memorial stand at Np etc But yeah, not the first strike overall. Last season’s vase run saw a few pitch invasions. Flares before and after games. 99% of it harmless but still disappointing. Newport have built a good fanbase of families for the cup games and its a nice club.

@roytheroof: Terrible news