Stewarding at AFC Wimbledon has once again been condemned but this time by Tranmere fans with claims of a supporter ‘assaulted’.
Tranmere fans had been enjoying themselves with a beach ball at Plough Lane. But on the 28th minute, a supporter was removed after retrieving the previously confiscated beachball from a steward.
@andrewhewitt1 tweeted: “Final point – yesterday’s stewarding at @AFCWimbledon was the worst I have seen in many years. Heavy handed in both numbers and attitude, vindictively officious and mean spirited. Almost turned a virtual kick about sour. Would be a liability in a big game.
When asked why one fan got kicked out, he replied: “Couldn’t see clearly but it was to do with the beach ball ffs! The stewards didn’t need to get involved with any of that but they couldn’t wait to ‘stamp their authority’. Just creates a negative atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, @jacobmckk27 tweeted: “Stewarding an absolute disgrace, assaulted a man infront of his six year old son. Disgusting @AFCWimbledon.”
DONS VLOGS adds: “From what I understand 2 beach balls. Glasses guy (steward) burst one another steward was bantering them and put the ball inbetween his legs. The fan runs takes the ball thinking bantering the stewards but they turn nasty kick him out. Unnecessary”
Stewarding an absolute disgrace, assaulted a man infront of his six year old son. Disgusting @AFCWimbledon pic.twitter.com/96Y0ZuegD3
— Jacob 🏴 (@jacobmckk27) April 29, 2023
This also comes months after Leyton Orient issued a statement after an incident with stewards with O’s fans angry at how they were treated at Wimbledon.
A number of Leyton Orient fans were lead out by police and stewards, but fans have since explained what happened including what they saw.
“It was fantastic to see another wonderful following backing the team at AFC Wimbledon last night, and once again we thank you all for your support for Richie Wellens and his team,” said CEO Mark Devlin.
“However, in the second half, a smoke bomb was thrown onto the pitch, and a subsequent ejection was made from the ground.
“This behaviour is unacceptable for a number of reasons. Not only will using pyrotechnics see the club face sanctions as a result, but the danger these can cause spectators is widely publicised.
“These items are illegal to bring inside a football stadium, and those caught with them, or using them, will be subject to a ban from attending football games.
“Pyrotechnics and flares can burn at up to 2,000°C and cause serious injuries to those who carry them and fellow spectators.
“The Club takes a zero tolerance approach with regards to pyrotechnics, and will work closely with the authorities in sanctioning the individuals involved.”
Ugly scenes in the away end just before full time.
Multiple Leyton Orient fans lead out by police and stewards. #LOFC #AFCW pic.twitter.com/NDM3JmxZsK
— London Football Scene (@LDNFootieScene) November 8, 2022
Back to the game against Tranmere last weekend now, and it saw Sam Taylor score his first professional goal for Tranmere to earn them an away point at AFC Wimbledon.
In the 79th minute, the 19-year-old equalised after Ali Al-Hamadi gave the hosts the lead midway through second half.
Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said, as per London News Online: “It was quite a close game but I thought we deserved to win.
“We had the better chances overall. We scored a really good goal.
“I was a bit disappointed with their goal. I’m not disappointed with them, but our lad was down injured and allowed them an opportunity down that side, which under different circumstances, they wouldn’t have got.
“It sums up our luck that they have gone and scored from that situation. I don’t think they had too many chances on the day.
“We could have had a couple more. It wasn’t a totally one-sided game, but we were the team in the ascendancy and probably deserved to win.
“But we didn’t quite get it.”
Sam Taylor said, as per Wirral Globe: “I’m absolutely buzzing. I’ve never experienced anything like that. The feeling was incredible. I’m lost for words really.
“I nearly started crying to be honest. That will always be remembered. The lads have got me the match ball signed and that will always be there.
“All I was really aiming for this season was to get minutes. I honestly didn’t expect to come on the minute I did. I’m so delighted.”
Tranmere interim manager Ian Dawes added: “What a fantastic story for him. He’s worked so hard to get where he is.
“Every time he’s come on the pitch, he’s never let us down. One of the biggest bits of credit I can give him is that he never lets you down off the ball.
“His energy and his workrate and his desire to do the ugly side of the game, competing and tracking back, for a striker is fantastic.
“I thought because of all that he deserved his goal, and what a goal it was.”
Here’s what fans said with stewarding at AFC Wimbledon condemned by Tranmere fans with claims a supporter was ‘assaulted’ in the away end…
@petehotchkiss: @dannymacca81 Our current stewarding company are not fit for purpose. They’re over the top with home fans & clearly confrontational & unwelcoming to visiting fans. This is NOT what we want opposition fans to experience. URGENT review of this companies suitability needed
@Wontheball: Vile football club and vile security staff
@AlexLOFC: Wimbledon stewards attacking away fans again? Imagine my shock #lofc
@JakeLedders: Actually fuck them off they’re so much worse than the ones before and I hated them aswell. Not even stewards just professional bullies the lot of them
@mellonista2022: Remember when these were thought of as the bastion of football’s soul…..
@cambo691: Gobshites outside the ground as well afterwards
@les_murray71: That one in the shades was awful, police agreed their behaviour can incite trouble, @AFCWimbledon they are giving you a bad reputation with away fans, shame because it’s a decent set up. Incidentally @dannymacca81 this was a group of fans who were just out for the day, nothing to play for, experienced some great hospitality around the capital, but your boys jeopardised the atmosphere, could’ve turned nasty very quickly
@Bambos8: This is our third contracted stewards of the season I believe. They are over the top in home end on occasion too.
@reilyjf: It looked very excessive and heavy handed indeed. For some reason away fans have complained regularly all season about the stewarding. Not improved despite changing providers a few times. Slightly funny side is that it was more entertaining than the dross on the pitch
@paulmoulton64: I saw it too and the guys poor kid running after his Dad. They all seemed to be having a laugh and the stewarding was OTT. This is not what the Dons fans want…… apologies to the Tranmere fans.
@wilko300: It was the same when we were there. Stewards pacing up n down looking for trouble, could feel it boiling over so left 5 minutes early with my son. Apparently it’s the same in the home end. Were told they’d changed company but it doesn’t seem to have changed the way they do things
@AndrewHarding9: I saw it all and it was absolutely disgusting what happened. I was watching with my 6 year old son and it made me feel sick how that man was treated. We need this urgently looked at @TheDonsTrust
@EuanCarter25: They behave like night club bouncers, think they can man handle and assault people. Happened when orient visited Wimbledon, I got dragged out after helping a man in a mobility scooter to safety. Went to report it and got told by police and stewards sorry not interested.
@Charlieleahyy: Always been dreadful mate. They scrap the away fans, and treat the home fans like shit if they try to take water bottles in the ground when the club have said they can. They only do they’re job to let out there anger on people. Hope we change it for next year
@Giddo007: This sickens us. Our Stewards are an embarrassment to our club all over a beach ball FFS. As you can see comments Wimbledon fans are disgusted by this and it is a weekly occurrence – Saw a German fan evicted at the Home end for wearing his local club scarf – did nothing wrong!
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