Tamworth v Nuneaton to be replayed behind closed doors after violence, racism and homophobia

The Tamworth v Nuneaton game is to be replayed behind closed doors after fan violence, racism and homophobia back in February.

The two sides will play again after the derby match was abandoned following The Lamb Ground being the scene of chaos on the 21st of February with officials forced to end the match early.

There were reports that flares, bottles and bricks were hurled during the second-half of the match, in which Tamworth led 2-0. The match officials who had led both teams from the pitch were forced to end the game, also known as the “A5 derby”.

Many have been waiting for a decision on the game with the season’s end around the corner.

The FA is yet to decide if there will be any sanctions handed out to teams. Southern League has been given permission to examine the issue in advance.

The League’s Emergency Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, April 12.

On the 18th of April, @tamworthfc wrote: “Nuneaton Borough Information | Our game against @NuneatonBoroFC on Thursday 20 Aprill will be played BEHIND CLOSED DOORS @ 7.45.

“Lambs Media will provide full live commentary of the game on Mixlr and supporters must remain away from the Lamb ground and the vicinity of the area.”

Nuneaton wrote: “After consultation between the Southern League, Tamworth FC & ourselves, Thursdays replayed fixture at The Lamb will be played behind closed doors.

“Both Tamworth & ourselves agree with this decision in the best interests of all parties. More information will follow in due course.”

Nuneaton Borough coach Jimmy Ginnelly felt “pretty frustrated” by the behaviour, which began in the first-half and escalated after Tamworth scored in the second.

“Almighty chaos kicked off in the corner [between the] two sets of fans. Just throwing objects at each other. There was bricks, bottles, even batteries seemed to find their way over.”

Ginnelly added: “One or two [were] saying some players’ parents and kids were in the top end, and they were getting really frightened for their safety.”

He believes a “flash point” between fans in the sides’ previous fixture, at Nuneaton’s Liberty Way ground, had led to the disorder.

“There was awful chanting at the home game and I think the two sets of fans have continued it.

Ginnelly suggested “poor” stewarding and a lack of police presence had contributed to the problems.

“We offered to take stewards with us to contain our fans but [Tamworth] didn’t want us to take any. I’m not blaming them because I understand the price and I understand they wanted to do it themselves, but they got it quite wrong last night,” he said, adding Nuneaton supporters “were not blameless”.

“There was no police in the ground at all, with over 2,000 people, a volatile local derby… it turned into chaos.”

Staffordshire Police said it sent officers to Tamworth town centre after “reports of emerging tensions between a minority of fans” about an hour prior to kick-off.

The force said it was later informed away fans had damaged a toilet block and at 21:00 GMT issues had escalated.

“We attended to support the stewards, two of whom reported being assaulted,” a statement said.

“It was further reported that flares and missiles were being thrown and a small portion of fencing was damaged.”

Police added that one man suffered a non life-changing head injury after a fall.

When the game was abandoned, the force sent additional officers along with more from West Midlands Police.

Staffordshire Police say no arrests were made at the time but that it would review what had happened and “work with the club and relevant football authorities as part of this investigation”.

The statement added: “A number of suspects have already been identified as part of this work and we will be taking appropriate action.”

Tamworth FC said police had been informed of the fixture and that a search in and around the ground after the match had uncovered no evidence that batteries had been thrown.

A statement added: “A very small minority of Nuneaton supporters in their segregated area instigated ugly scenes by throwing flares and other objects on to the pitch and into a group of Tamworth supporters when the home side scored their second goal.

“The stewarding team, which had been supplemented by an outside company, worked very hard to restore order.”

The violence came 14 months after Tamworth’s game with Biggleswade was abandoned at half time following alleged racist abuse.

Boro fans keeping it classy throwing punches at the stewards left of the corner flag pic.twitter.com/YMHzTSQk8y

— Scott Baker (@scottbakerosrfc) February 21, 2023

Pretty clear who was throwing blue & white flares, even before kick off. What’s annoying is @StaffsPolice @warkspolice allowed this the day of the Atherstone ball game, and had police outside but didn’t come in the ground (6 vans & 3 cars at the station after the game) pic.twitter.com/W2oc2raB0g

— Julie Scott (@julieGREATscott) February 21, 2023

Pretty clear who was throwing blue & white flares, even before kick off. What’s annoying is @StaffsPolice @warkspolice allowed this the day of the Atherstone ball game, and had police outside but didn’t come in the ground (6 vans & 3 cars at the station after the game) pic.twitter.com/W2oc2raB0g

— Julie Scott (@julieGREATscott) February 21, 2023

Any Racist or Homophobic individuals or comments like this should be removed with a life time ban an out of our game for ever. pic.twitter.com/f2X2EsiyQr

— Dan Dan (@TariqSuleman90) February 22, 2023

No Matter what you feel of the opposition its awful to spit on the opposition management even if he was previously with us. pic.twitter.com/OxeJ5TPgIn

— Dan Dan (@TariqSuleman90) February 22, 2023

That historic Tamworth blue and white being thrown on the pitch after being 2-0 down… oh wait 🙈 pic.twitter.com/dn4jE7F5S0

— Ben Watson (@iambenwatson) February 21, 2023

Come up to @tamworthfc. 15 mins late for KO cos of shitty trains and now the game’s ‘on hold’ due to some good old fashioned British hooliganism 😣

Mostly the Nuneaton fans seemingly hellbent on disrupting the game after going 2-0 down. pic.twitter.com/EmXQCS3QGq

— Luke 🦆 (@lukebb84) February 21, 2023

This is what fans said with Tamworth v Nuneaton to be replayed behind closed doors after violence, racism and homophobia…

@Fobsee: So what happens to those that attended original game and financially lost out? Surely it should have to be replayed from time remaining and with the score as it was when the game was stopped due to the action of fans from both sides (although we all know who started the trouble)

@locko70: Sets a precedent that if your losing you can cause trouble and then the game gets replayed. #baffled

@Holtender102XP: Good, as it should be. Can’t believe so many fans turned up with barely any stewards and no police presence. I’m amazed we haven’t been awarded 3 points tbh.

@mercianstweets: Get the ladders out

@mattguest90: What a joke. Assuming you’ll be contacting everyone to issue refunds from the original game?

@curiodds: So if Tamworth are losing basically throwing flares onto the pitch and attacking stewards would see this replayed again yes ? Bet you it wouldn’t. @FootballAssoc where is our 2-0 lead?

@CorbinVokes: Shouldn’t be played at all borough fans caused trouble and got what they wanted piss take from the FA

@SBoulstridge: An example has been set, and it’s a poor one.

@JikAV_: Pathetic

@ConorStroud: Sickening

@McPodge: Disappointed with this cowardly approach. Let us in

@BenFreeman_14: Deary me wow.

@StaceyBurton666: If Nuneaton were true sportsmen and had any grace about them, they would let Tamworth go 2-0 up, but never seen any sportsmen ship from that vile human AD. Hope we go and stuff you and get out that shocking league and away from you cheats!!!!

@OwenCox19: Cry more

@nbfctc79: Attacking a innocent Tamworth fan and abusing a nuneaton players parents and plus causing criminal damage to Ilkeston supporters coach plus the same thing against Biggleswade last season ?

@duanegrant67: 8 weeks after the game they make a decision for the game to be played 2 days before the league ends. Tin pot beyond belief.

@Stuartt94366446: Pathetic decision. Any team with a hooligan element who is losing, can now riot, get it abandoned and try again. Tin pot league run by a tin pot committee.

@JwilliamC89: This is a disgrace by the way. Everyone agreed it was safe to continue the game other than the team who was losing 2-0 and they now get to have a second crack at it. What’s to stop every teams fans from rioting to get a game abandoned when they’re losing? Madness 🤦🏻‍♂️

@HLMustangs1: How in the hell can you come to this decision. Once the police and safety officers had declared it safe the referee instructed both teams to return, the second Nuneaton refused you as a league are prepared to REWARD them by replying the game. DISGRACE

@simonjward87: 😂 as expected! couldn’t do the right thing and get them to play the remaining minutes, too scared of the fallout from other clubs!!

@Bolty_78: What an absolute joke of a decision. Majority of trouble caused by Nuneaton fans. Nuneaton players refuse to come back out. Nuneaton losing 2 nil. But, hey, let’s give them another chance. What a precedent you’re setting. If losing just refuse to play and get another go!

@873tmg: OMG @SouthernLeague1 what on earth have you done. decision has opened a can of worms,if a team is losing fans can cause trouble & get game off & replayed. They must be laughing at you all over Nuneaton as now after their poor show they now get a 2nd chance. Football is finished

@simonjward87: Nuneaton knew they weren’t in the game and both sets of fans gave them the perfect opportunity to refuse to play and for this outcome!!! Game should of continued where it left off behind closed doors!!!