Steve Cotterill and Ray Shearwood end up getting sent off after tensions boil over following the 2-2 draw between Cheltenham and Grimsby.
Grimsby Town posted a tweet: “It’s all kicked off after the final whistle here, and there’s some ugly scenes at Whaddon Road. The red card is brandished for Steve Cotterill, as well as Ray Shearwood.”
Grimsby added in their match report: “No further chances came in what was left of the game but red cards were shown to Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill and Town first team coach analyst Ray Shearwood following a confrontation after the final whistle, with both sides forced to settle for a point each as Town recorded a fourth consecutive draw.
According to Cheltenham Town assistant manager Rob Edwards, as per Jon Palmer, the post match scenes came when Grimsby Town player when Pierce Sweeney went down with cramp near the end of the game.
— Steve Risley (@Rizzo67) September 5, 2026
A commentator is heard said: “And with that the referee brings an end to the game. Well, Grimsby will certainly be the happier of the two teams this afternoon.
“A second successive two- wall draw and a fourth draw in a row. Matches have certainly been entertaining involving Steve Cotterill’s side at the start of the season, but a 2-2 draw this afternoon as temperatures boil over a little bit now and something’s being said between Shelton and Cotterill. And now Grimsby staff getting involved too. Passion’s running high as it finishes.”
It’s all kicked off after the final whistle here, and there’s some ugly scenes at Whaddon Road. The red card is brandished for Steve Cotterill, as well as Ray Shearwood. 🟥
⌚ FT | 🐦 2-2 🐟 | #GTFC
— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) September 5, 2026
2-2 ft Curse of the two nil lead. Goal so early after half time gave Grimsby hope and with Cook up from they looked a different side. On chances created we could have lost that after being so dominant. Subs lost more of our momentum, I’m not sure we have strength in depth #ctfc pic.twitter.com/gcvTwR4XbL
— hEaLeR (@ctfc_hEaLeR) September 5, 2026
Cheltenham Town assistant manager Rob Edwards on the full time scenes:
“I think there was a disagreement between the gaffer and one of their players. I think he just asked it was when Sweeney went down with cramp and he I think the gaffer thought that with their player could have just helped him to his feet and then it went from there.
“But you know, you know, it’s just sportsmanship of picking a player up when he’s on the floor and not standing over him.
“So, we were a little bit disappointed with that. But I think that the the disagreement after that went, you know, went on obviously, but the initial thing was with Sweeney’s cramp.”
Grimsby boss David Artell said: “I don’t know what went off. I have no idea. The only thing I would say is that their manager tried to lamp Shaun last year and wouldn’t check his hand last year.
“So, I don’t know if it’s a Grimsby thing, or an assistant manager thing. I don’t know. I have no idea.
“I’m sure all the authorities will they’ll deal with all that. You know, I just tell all the players to get away and then we walk to our fans and then their lads are following us and oh, it’s all or nothing, isn’t it? It’s nothing. So yeah.”
Interviewer: “And it was it was getting a little bit sort of feisty towards the end of game once we got the second goal and you know there was both teams were going at it to try and get a winner.”
Artell: “I felt the referee did lose control. I did. It was lucky there wasn’t a big tackle cuz it you know all the contentious decisions went their way.
“There was there was three throws down our side that they all kicked out and he gave all to them which is mental which are not massive in the grand scheme of things but it’s like all them little bits but listen it is what it is and it sort of boils over at the end for whatever reason.
“So, I’m sure the the FA or the refs, you know, pro ref will be in touch or and ask for something, but I genuinely didn’t see what what it was, what caused it, if there was anything, and we’ll just wait and see what happens.”
Here’s the social media reaction on Steve Cotterill and Ray Shearwood who end up getting sent off after tensions boil over following the 2-2 draw between Cheltenham and Grimsby…
@ion_xd: That aged well lol! What a melt Cotterill is!! 🙄🤣
@JohnTondeur: Think we can all see who started this! #gtfc
@connor_ctfc: We brought that on ourselves today, then Cotts acts like that..
@YTMWS_: How on EARTH is Ray sent off here? Cheltenham manager starts it, he grabs him by the neck and drags him towards him, after starting on HIS player! Headloss by the gaffer, and as equal headloss by the ref who was as poor as in every game this season!
@1Ashlxy: Bottled it and immense headloss at the end, Cotterill bingo card ticked off
@DN35GTFC: What is it with Cheltenham? They do seem to have anger management issues down there.
@ledwidgejack1: hahaha unlucky, if you’re going to bottle it don’t have a monumental head loss afterwards. Salty Steve strikes again.
Who’s the Grimsby pratt trying to square up to Cotts. Blatantly got him sent off, not fit to be on the same pitch as the gaffer let alone get in his face. pic.twitter.com/hmAcdty2Al
— hEaLeR (@ctfc_hEaLeR) September 5, 2026
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