Police make arrest after trouble sees elderly fan injured at Banbury v Hereford game

Police make an arrest after trouble sees an elderly fan injured at the Banbury v Hereford game on Saturday afternoon.

Officers took action at the National League North fixture after bottles and a traffic cone were reportedly thrown during Banbury’s 3-1 win against Hereford.

It was marred by unruly scenes which saw one person injured and another arrested with a club and police statement issued.

BANBURY STATEMENT:

The Club Board of Directors issue the following statement.

We liaised closely with Thames Valley Police before yesterday’s game against Hereford and had a full stewarding team on duty. In consultation with the force the match was segregated.

We will of course review and update our procedures for such games in light of incidents yesterday.

We have had a fantastic start to the season on the pitch with great support off it. However the behaviour of a very small minority of supporters yesterday was unacceptable.

Thames Valley Police are investigating the disorder that occurred and if anyone has any relevant footage please contact the force via their
website, www.thamesvalley.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference number 943 (27/8). We would ask any supporters who have any information that can assist to do so.

In addition during the game two smoke bombs were let off in the Town End occupied by Banbury supporters. As stressed in our messaging this is criminal behaviour. The club will face repercussions for this.

We will not hesitate to issue banning orders for supporters who are found to be involved in anti-social behaviour. As members of Cherwell Pubwatch Banbury any bans will include from other member premises in the town.

We will review the day with the police to see what further steps we need to take.

We are a community club, we want to be able to welcome everyone to our ground. We know fans are passionate but there is a clear line between behaviour that is acceptable and the incidents above that were not.

We are sure supporters will get behind the team tomorrow in a positive way at Leamington and want the day to be about what happens on the pitch not off it.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police (TVP) revealed the force is now investigating the disorder.

TVP Banbury posted: “Thames Valley Police worked with Banbury United to deal with disorder before, during and after today’s football match between Banbury and Hereford at Spencer Stadium.

“It was reported that items, including bottles and a traffic cone, were thrown. One person was injured.

“In order to avoid any further disorder, the force decided to keep some Banbury supporters in the ground for approximately 10 minutes after the game to allow the Hereford fans to leave the area.

“One person was arrested for a public order offence.”

Police officers are asking that anyone with relevant footage to contact the force via its website, or to call 101, quoting reference number 943 (27/8).

Social media users had their say as police make an arrest after trouble sees an elderly fan injured at the Banbury v Hereford game…

@Jclm04: We have an old man in hospital thanks to your fans chucking cones and bins at us, well done banbury showed the real scum you are 👏🏻

@_sarax91: Don’t tarnish us all with the same brush. I am disgusted on what I saw today. Those youngsters aren’t fans at all, Banbury are a community club with honest and loyal fans some just come out to start issues. I hope the man in question is ok, best wishes to him.

@shav31883507; Awful policing yesterday no strategy no game plan letting the away fans through to antagonise the home fans pepper spraying 12 year olds yes things happened but on both sides but this could of all been avoided

@AlanLeighton60: Unfortunately as we were walking out of the ground a number of stones were thrown at us by some Banbury fans being held behind the police line. Fortunately nobody was hit. Very disappointing because people in Banbury were otherwise very welcoming.

@RickettsOlly: Scum fan base

@harrywoolley52: Even at the end of the game they ( Banbury fans) we’re trying to get at Hereford fans disgraceful and that’s non league..

@wizardoffoam: When we went there last time it was the same, we got bombarded by rocks on the way out, the entrance to the ground is ridiculous. I can’t be the only one that remembers this, as someone I was with got hit, and a car there was dented badly. The entrance needs to be sorted.

@SpencerReds: There is zero place in the game for violence. It is appalling to see an opposing fan injured like this, these scenes from some so called banbury fans needs to be banned/stopped, totally unacceptable. We wish this man a speedy recovery! And good luck for the season Hereford!

@kbushnell1975: Don’t let a mindless minority ruin what has been a brilliant last 18 months. Knowing those that work tirelessly for @BanburyUnitedFC I know they will stamp this out and take the relevant and necessary actions. My message to those that feel it’s acceptable, it isn’t, end of!

@spoldham: Every week stuff like this is happening up and down the country at all levels… is it just better tackled and reported nowadays or have fans gone feral since being let back in?

@mikeseat: A shame it had to be said. Whoever it is stop being morons and enjoy the football rather than acting the obnoxious clown.

@PuritanTrevor: The few minority are the same people on a regular basis. Members of the club walk around the ground and see and hear these people but they just keep on walking sadly. It’s time that these people are banned from the club for the good of us all

@SpencerReds: We are getting crowds of a thousands, young children attending their first banbury matches realising it is an amazing club, more families are coming down. the atmosphere & on the pitch has been the best I’ve ever seen! shame some ‘fans’ like to try and ruin it with violence.

@SpencerReds: On top of this, it’s not just minority of the banbury fans, some Hereford fans are the same and just as bad looking for trouble, these thugs are not welcome in non league from either club, and just ruins the day out for the traditionalist who go to football to watch football.

 

Tanya Forrest: Apparently the gentleman who got hurt has been treated in hospital and is on his way back to Hereford

Jason Taylor: Hereford fans were queuing to use the toilets are they expected to stand there and be hit by objects and showered with beer. Terrible stewarding and terrible policing.

Julian Owens: Very disappointing news that the Banbury ground is not fit for purpose. 😟

Terence Cpfc Williams: Banbury should be fined for their actions

Julie Bailey: It’s always the few that spoil things for the many 😡😡😡

Ricky Lancaster: all that trouble ruined a perfectly good game of football

Paul Oaks: Really disappointed with what i saw take place, throws shite and hurting others for no reason

No chance of getting the train anytime soon at Banbury. Trouble post-match after @BanburyUnitedFC v @HerefordFC. (@bbchw) pic.twitter.com/dm5gwmCptv

— Terry Goodwin (@terrygoodwin) August 27, 2022

10 minutes? Have a day off. No officer there allowing families out either. Just officers antagonising the whole situation. If you had kept the away fans in the ground for a period of time after the whistle (which is the norm), none of this happens. Your own doing yesterday👍🏽

— Aaron Sangha (@aaron_sangha14) August 28, 2022

Are these not fans then….shameful today pic.twitter.com/WqNNuqn8In

— Martyn T (@martyndt) August 27, 2022