A fan publicly condemns Chelmsford City for the handling of a ‘swear’ incident with the club issuing a statement on the matter.
@ClaretCroch wrote on Twitter: “Nothing statement.. as expected. Brushes over the incident with no real accountability or ways this will be prevented in future matches. I didn’t commit any of the offences in the statement bar swearing in a private conversation. No surprise whatsoever with how this was handled.
“Think it’s best the explain the whole situation in it’s entirety begin the one sent out the stadium…
“The whole situation was a complete and utter disgrace yesterday [in the National League South game against St Albans]. At the start of the game these ‘stewards’ had aggressive manor from the very start. Going around harassing a number of fans for a number of minuscule reasons. Apparently Steve Shore told the stewards no swearing allowed. Not even in conversation…
“I was then having a conversation with the person next to me, in which we play a ‘game’ trying to guess the attendances every week. Someone I knew managed to get the exact number. My words were something along the lines of ‘How the f*** did you manage to guess that’
“Instantly one of the stewards came over to me and said ‘that is a yellow card any more and you will be escorted out the stadium’ obviously I was confused and questioned he’s reasoning behind this. Funny enough he started swearing to his fellow colleagues a few seconds later I could sense they meant trouble, so I moved away from them and stayed pretty much silent for the remaining of the half.
“The referee blows for half-time so I start to walk round from the cro-ro. I then get a tap on the shoulder and it’s two of the stewards putting their arms around me in saying I need to leave the stadium.
“I asked for explanation and reasoning for my removal and the only response they had was… “keep talking or I will knock you out’ even through all of this I stayed calm and complied to everything they said.
“We start to walk out the stadium and at this point I felt frustrated and some what embarrassed. When we walked past the tunnel, I said to the Steward what he is doing is disgraceful and completely unacceptable. He then proceeds to scream then punch me on my arm and put his arm round my throat saying I was ‘resisting’ to leave the stadium. Which I can categorically say is the biggest load of rubbish I have ever heard. (they were properly doing me a favour after yesterday performance).
“I was then standing outside the gate, where this one security guard who seemed to have it out for me said “if I wasn’t on shift, I would beat the living s*** out of you”
“I want to thank Connor for helping resolve the situation. What a great guy, who means well for this football club unlike some. Phil then came to the gate in an aggressive manor letting me back in saying “anymore and I’ll come drag you out myself” even though he didn’t know the situation or what happened.
“My first impression from Phil is that he has spiteful side to him and walk around like he owns the football club. I heard then he went round confronting a number of fans for the rest of the afternoon. Even took a fan into a room threatening to knock them out saying it was ‘HIS CLUB’ not it’s isn’t Phil. You simply work for our club (and not a very good job). Heard he had massive go at Connor for trying to resolve the situation but continues to say the ‘door is always open’ if any problems occur. Another lie…
“The head of security came over and rightly apologised to me and a number of people and insisted these were instructions from Steve Shore. He also accepted how they treated me and others was completely unacceptable and promised we wouldn’t see this particular Steward again.
“The whole situation was a complete mess from top to bottom. Club need to take responsibility for what happened yesterday and a few people need to have a serious look at themselves…”
Nothing statement.. as expected. Brushes over the incident with no real accountability or ways this will be prevented in future matches. I didn’t commit any of the offences in the statement bar swearing in a private conversation. No surprise whatsoever with how this was handled. https://t.co/X3kYMfgsT9
— Claret Croch (@ClaretCroch) September 25, 2023
Chelmsford said in a statement via their website: “Over recent months and weeks the club have received numerous complaints regarding the use of foul and abusive language and inappropriate behaviour by our supporters, both in general and directed at opposition and officials, as well as an allegation of racist abuse.
“The club obviously takes this very seriously and our security team have been instructed to deal with this accordingly.
“At Saturday’s game our security team ejected a supporter, I was then approached by a member of the supporter’s club, who’s opinion I respect, who informed me that he felt the supporter had been unfairly treated.
“I am currently investigating the circumstances around this, however this intervention resulted in the supporter being readmitted to the ground.
“There have also been suggestions that I acted aggressively, if any of my actions were taken this way then I apologise, they were certainly not meant to be, I have reached out personally to the individuals involved.
“However, as a club we must reiterate that foul and abusive language of any kind will not be tolerated in any form, and use of it will result in removal from the ground.”
This is how Twitter users reacted as the fan condemns Chelmsford City for their handling of the ‘swear’ incident with the club issuing the above statement…
@MrNonLeague: No swear words allowed in any capacity at Chelmsford’s Melbourne Stadium.
@Clarets1938: Trying to turn this into a ‘foul and abusive language’ issue is absolutely passing the buck. Trying to make matchdays better by preventing swearing…. but allowing physically violent behaviour towards fans… Where’s any mention of the stewards actions in this?
@sixintheCan: Please employ security who have decent people skills and not old school 1980’s bully boy pub bouncer types who actively instigate problems that aren’t there in the first place simply because being paid to be a bully to people half their age makes them feel as if they’re worthy.
@Palmerlona14: Sums the club up massively! Going okay on the pitch but a complete joke off the pitch. We have owners and a GM who see us as customers and till they are out of this club then we won’t progress #Clarets
@OfficialWOD1: Another embarrassing incident that shows complete contempt for the fans. The sooner this lot are away from the club the better…
@peacockbloom: Removal from the ground for swearing at a football game? Jesus
@joniread68: This statement takes a separate issue & tries to justify two separate aggressive verbal attacks & slurs on fans. I hope the ‘investigation’ will get to the bottom of the alleged threat by the security guard & the alleged moody behaviour by Phil ‘my door is always open’ Crowe although quite who will be carrying out the ‘investigation’ is a moot point. Mr Crowe, perhaps? Clearly the victim doesn’t feel valued at the club, as do numerous victims of the Betsi junta. Get these charlatans out of our club.
@cartman1976: Hope we didn’t budget for big attendance’s because the ground could be half empty every other week. When emotions run high supporting your club you are bound to hear some foul language. Get a grip and a reality check
@dan_mays86: How ridiculous freedom of speech and all that! Surely like all football clubs you’ll hear swearing in the pitch does that mean players or staff are ejected!
@FanofFootball88: A football club with no swearing? Will go down well. Shore and Crowe know nothing about football! Get them out!
@sam97725266: Absolute shambles Phil lied in this statement too
@gfarr92: @PhilCrowe2 it is important that those issues with bad language aren’t ignored when it crosses the line but if the supporters club were made aware every time there is a reported incident we could do something to prevent it getting worse before the heavy handed security intervene
@racheldanny9: I take it this will also apply to the players and managers? Cos I hear foul language from the pitch every week. So we can expect them to be turfed out as well? Of course not. One rule for one, one for another.
@GMixture: Club acts entirely to form & then supporters start crying about it, when they had the chance to get rid of these clowns 15 months ago but bottled it. A Supporters’ Club that’s in collusion with the FC, & a fanbase with no backbone. Zero sympathy: you’ve got the club you deserve.
@cartman1976: I’m sorry but if people expect to go to watch a football match without hearing the odd bit of colourful language then perhaps they are in the wrong place. By all means punish people that go too far and definitely if there is racist language thrown around but use common sense
@Footymad2020: So a group of friends are having a laugh amongst each other having some banter and your not allowed to use a foul word 🤔🤔if overheard your out simple as that let’s all keep silent and not utter a breath of the fear you will be threatened and intimidated by security staff
@Footymad2020: Sorry the club is rotten from the top to the bottom holmes and shore no nothing about football neither do they care they need to just go a let someone come in and take the club forward simples
@BoroRmassive: Don’t swear at football 🤣🤣🤣 I feel sorry for you lot. What sort of a melon would think that’s going to go down well. Great job alienating your fan base, sure the attendances will sky rocket 🤦🏻♂️
@TheGedmond: What a complete load of wishy washy crap. The point is that this just shows the complete disregard of fans, the fella in question comes from awhile away to spend his hard earnt money and gets treated like this. No bonuses for being loyal at this club, not a care in the world
@puffpuff65: Disgraceful from the the stewards/security. Wonder if Chelmsford hire them from a third party or if they are employed from the club and fans. as I know a lot of non league clubs hire them from a separate company including Braintree whenever we get a large away following.
@tudorarmyfan: Disgraceful being treated like that when you spend your money every week to go support that club we have had our experiences at Chelmsford similar to this hope it all gets sorted for you mate
@aaronjfarrow2: That’s shocking, we all swear at the football, that’s part of non league. Terrible that the security guards said no swearing
@YeovilMad17: Awful this happened to you, have they targetted home and away fans equally?Like to see them try that with our following. Looking forward to the away game in Feb 🤣
@stephen_dimmock: Sounds like those stewards are the thugs themselves. That’s vile behaviour
@KevinOwers: The clubs run by absolute clowns 🤡. They all need to leave & let someone takeover who cares about the club.

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