Ian Holloway explains the confrontation he had with a Swindon Town fan in a huge rant after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Bradford City.
After a disappointing defeat, Holloway engaged in a heated confrontation with a fan in the away end, which caught on camera and done the rounds on social media.
He said that he expressed frustration with fans who he believed were not supportive, essentially telling such fans not to bother attending future matches.
Ian emphasised the need for fans to cheer on the team rather than criticise or be negative during games, however, his actions have gone on to spark discussions among fans and commentators about the relationship between players, managers, and supporters.
Holloway’s tenure at Swindon has not gone as he would have hoped so far, with the team struggling to turn the form around, now just two points above the League Two drop zone.
#STFC … pic.twitter.com/vWeS3xlMbn
— kieran (@kieransprules_) December 14, 2024
Ian Holloway basically telling Swindon fans who are negative to not travel and support his team 😅…. pic.twitter.com/mjQw6Lo4AB
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) December 14, 2024
Ian Holloway said post-match: “We don’t blame anything, we just got on with it and that’s why I lost my rag with one of our fans blaming everybody again. It’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous
“Not going to get out of trouble if you do that, mate, even if you have come a long way. Any chance of encouraging us? I saw more than enough there to encourage me.
“Maybe you need to see it with my glasses on. But if you’re upset with it, I’m sorry, don’t come away again if that’s how you feel. Because I don’t want that.
“I don’t want my team having that when I felt they tried as hard as they possibly could. Yep, I could guide them and get them to do different things but I’m looking right at you. You weren’t very happy. You didn’t make me very happy because you’re not helping in my opinion.
“And anybody else who was around him, am I going to give you a cherry for coming all the way up here? No, that’s your choice. It’s my choice to be here and I want people who are actually going to cheer us on no matter what provided they give me that sort of effort.
“It’s a big, big difference from what you’re moaning about in my opinion and if that fella wants to come in, sit down and have a cup of coffee at the training ground, please do. But I think you’re wrong. It’s how I feel. Can’t help having passion can you?”
Bradford boss Graham Alexander said: “We’ve been short of wins of late, in the league especially, but it’s been a really positive week for us.
“Following on from the point at Crewe, which was a superb performance considering all the challenges. We had a great win against Stockport on Tuesday and then followed up the win with three points today.
“I’m delighted for the players, the supporters and everyone connected with the club.
“It’s been a tough couple of months for us, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel with players returning now, making us look like a stronger squad.”
The manager also gave his thoughts on a break in the schedule with no midweek game to contend with over the next seven days.
“It’s good for the players, certainly the ones that are returning because I think it’s difficult when you have midweek games, then the training programme isn’t as heavy and it’s difficult for them to get real good training sessions under their belt.
“This week will be a good opportunity for us to work really hard on the training pitch and look towards the weekend.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game next week, but if we take the confidence and what we’ve done this week over the three games, we give ourselves the best chance of winning it.”
Twitter users had their say as Ian Holloway explains the confrontation with a Swindon fan in huge rant after defeat at Bradford…
@MardyMariner98: Things you love to see. Fucking fraud charlatan c*nt
@swindonsixties: Show’s he cares. Players looking out for him, good sign.
@jhowes17: I’m sure whatever they said to him was far nicer than what the Grimsby fans will be saying to him next week.
@CamelSaunders: This is just re-run of [Charlie] Austin last season “you don’t know how bad it is behind the scenes “ etc etc. Yh we don’t cause all massive cover up mess! “Players given everything they can etc etc .” Just the circle of (Life) Swindon.
@TrevorSTFC: He needs to understand what Swindon fans have been through and why they currently hate everything.
@LowerLeagueLook: Hi, @IanOllie7 this anger isn’t really about you. It isn’t about your players. It’s about years of decline, false promises, lies, deceit, and outright criminal activity from the club they follow. You and the players represent that club, you’re the only public facing outlet and those fans waited until full time to let you know their thoughts. They still turn up, they’ll be there next time too. However, Ian, you didn’t have one single shot on target in 90 minutes. You took off attacking players for defenders with 10 minutes to go in order to seemingly protect a 1-0 loss. That is on you, and they have every right to tell you that. Bradford could have gone home after going 1-0 up and would have left comfortably knowing they wouldn’t come back to a loss. Apologies if someone didn’t tell you exactly what the club was going through, but it’s been pretty public. You’re either in or out, and if you’re in, you take the shit the fans give you when you give them the shit they had to witness today. #stfc #clemitstime
@WWOSTFCB: Fans have every right to express their opinion…not the fans fault your football is shit Holloway #STFC #ClemItsTime
@ChrisParkerNo6: Good to see Mr Holloway uniting the fans
@DeanMcMackin: Been here 10 games. Won 1 league game and lost to the teams below us. Spent the last week blaming the fans and now this. I’d love a manager who understands why Swindon town fans aren’t exactly happy at being 22nd in league 2
@Willo1988: He’ll get his 1000th game in then be on his toes. Its always has to be about him.
@BatchStfc: Oh Ollie. Maybe the fan was out of order. Maybe he they said something that deserved a chinning. But is this really the way to go? It’s hard enough already without more wedges being driven.
@RichardSTFC94: Losing it with the fans, we’re sitting 22nd out of 24 and wants us to get behind the team after another dross performance? Use your brain, until we win more games (if) nothing is going to change! #Swindon #STFC
@Simonhockey45: #ClemItsTime to sell 🍊
@joteddyuk: Oh piss off Holloway. Those fans have every right to give their opinion on a shit performance with no shots on target when they’ve travelled miles. Nobody to blame but Morfuni #ClemIt’sTime
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