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Ex-EFL player subjected to racist abuse by fan kicked out during 7th tier match

Ex-EFL player Nathan Pond has unfortunately been subjected to alleged racist abuse by a fan kicked out during a 7th tier match on Monday.

A spectator is said to have been kicked out from the Sir Tom Finney Stadium for allegedly shouting abuse at the Bamber Bridge footballer during their 2-1 Northern Premier League Premier Division victory against Guiseley on Monday.

Pond, from Preston and a former Fleetwood, Grimsby and Salford player, tweeted after the game expressing his disappointment and sadness at the alleged racism.

BAMBER BRIDGE STATEMENT:

Following an alleged incident of racist abuse at today’s game v Guiseley AFC, the club have issued the following statement.

“The club are hugely disappointed to announce that at todays fixture against Guiseley AFC, there was a serious allegation of racism by a spectator, aimed at Bamber Bridge player Nathan Pond during the game.

The individual involved was ejected following the incident.

Bamber Bridge Football Club will absolutely not stand for racial abuse within our ground! We are an inclusive and family friendly club and this is not welcome anywhere within football. Not ever!

We will stand with Nathan Pond and support him as appropriate and will be making a formal compliant to the FA. The time for change and action is now, football is a game for all.

We applaud the actions of today of; our player Nathan Pond, the match official and our manager Jamie Milligan.

We can’t believe it needs saying again in 2023… THERE IS NO ROOM (AND NEVER WILL BE) FOR RACISM “

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Bamber Bridge wrote mid-game, as seen in the tweet above: “Bit of altercation possibly between a spectator and a player but the game was held up and someone had just been escorted out of the ground by a steward”

Nathan Pond tweeted: “The year 2023 and still getting racial abuse from a fan.Learnt my lesson and didn’t go in after him this time. He admitted and the ref evicted him. Funny thing is that he was with his son 🤷🏾‍♂️ great example that”

Bamber Bridge boss Jamie Milligan said: “Handled it well mate it was a disgrace, I’ll be honest though I had visions of barrow away when you dived into all there fans throwing one bombs”

Nathan Pond is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or defender and over a period of fifteen years, he played for Fleetwood Town.

His career started with Lancaster City and had a loan spell with Kendal Town whilst a Fleetwood player. He is a Montserrat representative, and he earned his first caps in 2019.

Through six promotions, Pond had played in seven divisions with Fleetwood. Guinness recognised Pond as the world record holder for appearing in the most divisions with one football club. 

HIS CAREER:

Senior career
2002–2003 – Lancaster City
2003–2018 – Fleetwood Town 
2010 → Kendal Town (loan) 
2012–2013 → Grimsby Town (loan)
2018–2020 – Salford City
2020–2021 – AFC Fylde 
2021 – AFC Telford United
2021– Bamber Bridge

International career
2019– Montserrat 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Adam Thurston (@adamthurstongroundhopping)

SEE MORE: Scarborough v Darlington suspended for 30 minutes with players taken off over abusive fans

Fans reacted on reports of an ‘altercation’ between the ex-EFL player and a fan during the 7th tier match with claims of racism…

@JohnWhitt1968: Absolute credit you are Pondy no place for this in any walk of life. Shining example shown by yourself to your team mates and all the fans home and away. Respect 👊🏻👊🏾

@JakeThompson_88: Hope you’re okay big fella. Embarrassing set of fans they’ve got 😤

@paulwoodend: Well done for not reacting, it can’t have been easy to ignore it. Sadly I’m afraid it doesn’t matter what year it is there will always be a few that do not respect others. #noroomforracism

@JCollins987: Absolutely disgusting behaviour mate and gutting to read this. Hope you’re ok and his club make sure he is banned, he should be named and shamed, I bet he wouldn’t do this in his workplace.

@TheTugger18: Well done mate sickening behaviour. Was at the game saw you go over to him.

@andmck1981: Sorry to read 😡. A pathetic individual. Hopefully the reaction to his actions make his son realise it’s unacceptable. Furthermore, police should be involved.

@will_stanser: Sorry to hear that Pondy, absolutely disgusting! Hope your ok 👍🏻

@BucksWriter: At least his son might have learnt that what his father said was unacceptable and had consequences, but that’s trying to find a positive out of something utterly repugnant.

@BlackpoolFt: He needs educating! We are with you Nathan!

@alexdaggers1: Horrible people in this world Pondy better than them chin up keep going 💪

@ZarahConnolly: Horrendous to hear Pondy, but well done for speaking out about it! Hope you’re as okay as you can be, we’re all here for you ❤️

@MattyClarkson1: Shocking mate I said to mrs I’m surprised he’s not leathered him. Disgusting pal, hope your ok 👍🏼

@world_minty: Absolutely outrageous. Im sure you’ll get the right support from Brig but to discuss during the week pal and anything I can do you know I will.

@KellyM_Reynolds: Disgusted that this happened. Sorry you still have to deal with s@*t like this. Glad he was evicted – some of the other visitors should have joined him 🤬

@mcv1982: There are no words for that behaviour. Sorry you had to go through that. What a role model for his Son.

@CommonEdger: No wonder we can’t get rid of this shit when kids see their Dads coming out with it, what an absolute muppet.

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