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‘Our supporters were put in danger’ – King’s Lynn issue quite the statement on trouble at Worksop

‘Our supporters were put in danger’ – King’s Lynn issue quite the statement on the trouble which took place in their game at Worksop.

The game itself saw King’s Lynn were ahead on 30 minutes, Finlay Barnes played the ball inside to Josh Hmami who finished superbly, before Worksop equalised at the death through a free kick from Luke Hall.

But now following an incident at full time, a probe has been launched with King’s Lynn saying they received reports of assaults involving children and a woman.

It came after the equaliser, a confrontation erupted among supporters.

Worksop’s Tommy Taylor replied having seen King’s Lynn’s statement, saying: “Embarrassing statement, as players we were pulling people apart to try calm the situation down, our families were at the game and there were kids traumatised in the middle of it. Embarrassing behaviour from everyone involved…maybe mention your player who smashed the dugout 👍”

KING’S LYNN STATEMENT:

Several of our supporters have come forward to the club after they were attacked by Worksop fans on the final whistle at yesterday’s FA Cup tie.

We understand that many of these Worksop fans were drunk. Some Worksop fans were wearing leather gloves which we have further learnt to be part of ‘hooligan culture’ and when our fans asked to report the matter to stewards they were told that there were only two stewards in the stadium. It has also been reported that several Worksop players jumped into the crowd after the final whistle and insulted our fans accusing our supporters of having “six fingers” and other such slights. We understand that children and even a female King’s Lynn supporter were attacked.

This is totally unacceptable.

There was no segregation and as a club we are very upset that our fans were put in danger. We have taken the issue up with Worksop and await their response.

In the meantime for our replayed game we will not have our supporter’s health risked again and therefore Worksop fans will only be able to buy tickets online until 4pm on Tuesday, there will be no seating (other than directors) available to them. We have increased stewarding numbers for the game and to make matters clear the match will be all ticket for Worksop fans and any away supporters found in the home end will be ejected without compensation.

We appreciate that many Worksop fans behave in a decent and respectable manner and that the few have ruined it for the many. As a club, supporter’s safety is paramount to King’s Lynn Town FC and we will always ensure that we do everything in our power to ensure that fans attending our stadium can watch the game without any fear.

We look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday night.

Tickets are available to purchase now.

WORKSOP STATEMENT:

It is very disappointing to see King’s Lynn’s official club statement penned by Travis Wright (September 29, 2024, 3:03 pm). and it is most shocking to read the tissue of lies and unreported, unfounded and unsubstantiated accusations.

The whole piece is subversive. For example, the statement “some Worksop fans were wearing leather gloves which we have further learnt to be part of ‘hooligan culture’ “ is simply ludicrous although the feigned naivety is quite endearing.

For 99 minutes of play, the match reflected the good-natured attention of the spectators and our fans took with good grace the King’s Lynn goal (against the run of play) which separated the sides until the final minute when we equalised to force a replay. Only then did the behaviour of King’s Lynn fans turn ugly. Maybe our supporter celebrated the equaliser a little too exuberantly, but he did no harm to anyone and he certainly didn’t deserve to have King’s Lynn fans soak him with drink and move on him in an aggressive way. Neither should the scoring of an equaliser provoke a petulant childish act of violence from one of their players resulting in serious damage to a pitch-side “dugout”. Credit to the King’s Lynn manager and his assistant who were embarrassed and apologised, whilst agreeing on behalf of your club to pay for the damage.

If King’s Lynn wish to apply National League rules concerning the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 then that is up to them. At Saturday’s match, there was no evidence of drunkenness or abuse of laws relating to alcohol purchase and consumption. We employ a very vigilant Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and I can tell you that our Vice Chairman is also a licence-holder.

Regarding our match planning, on the day of the draw, we were in immediate touch with the North Notts Police unit, as we always do, and continued to feed them with information as we received it. Given King’s Lynn’s reputation for crowd trouble, we approached arrangements for this match with some caution. We contacted their secretary who advised that there would be 1 supporter minibus with 50 – 100 travelling spectators. Nevertheless, the message came back from the North Notts Police unit to say that they could not see an issue with this game. Therefore, we decided on a low-key approach but updated our expectations for attendance of around 750 we organised 9 volunteer stewards and 5 SIA-Badged security staff with no segregation.

As far as we were concerned there was a minor disturbance which was quelled by our security staff. We have had no reports of assaults or injury, nor any adverse reports from Police or any other authority.

There will be no further statements on the matter from Worksop Town FC although we are happy to respond to any enquiries from bona fide authorities.

Here’s how fans reacted as King’s Lynn issue quite the statement on trouble at Worksop…

@scottbrian1974: But it’s never @officialKLtown fans is it

@SimonMatters2: As a neutral who was at the game yesterday maybe you are blinkered . Your fans were also drinking in full view of the pitch . Also insulted locals and also swore etc in front of kids….. it works both ways

@renny_overton: Yeah because you’d never see Kings Lynn fans doing anything wrong, they are all saints aren’t they. Strange how there always is trouble with Kings Lynn but it’s never their fans fault

@Belly_251278: Your full off shit the players were in there separating the fighting putting their own safety at risk. I had a lovely view of your supporter full on in the face of one of ours he was desperate for our lad to react and he didn’t. As for the beer you make it sound like ur fans wernt drinking but I can assure you the skills of your fans walking round balancing 6/7 pints far outweighed the skill off your players. Weird how you don’t mention the damage to the away dugout that your player caused 🤷‍♂️

@a_keightley: As someone who was at the game this is unfortunately or perhaps very fortunately for you a n extremely biased, gross misrepresentation of what occurred at the final whistle yesterday.

@1992_andym: So Lynn have the most arrogant owner involved in non league, fans that are regularly causing trouble and were also drinking in full view of the pitch, yet we’ve got to believe they had nothing to do with it. @StephenCleeve I hope everything’s accurate in this, for once.

@BuxtonBen_: Takes two to tango idiots

@OzzyP05: Leather gloves genuinely the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen

@shelttt: Six fingers 😆

@JonnyG62663054: Such an arrogant statement this. Shocking that you’re brandishing an entire fanbase as thugs, also I was stood next to the dugout as your number 7 smashed the window yet you fail to mention this in your statement

@WandTalks: @officialKLtown I don’t mind a statement but at least make it factual! I was one of said players trying to split it up after the fans clashing and one of your “supporters” still trying to fight everyone including kids!!! Surely if there is an investigation you would get all facts. don’t mind a statement but at least make it factual! I was one of said players trying to split up the fight as there were young children present. If your investigating speak facts and the truth and ask the guy in the beige coat why he continued his behaviour!

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