Tonbridge fans threaten boycott over Sutton segregation measures

Wednesday 14th October 2009

SUTTON UNITED have added extra spice to Saturday’s FA Carlsberg Trophy grudge match against Tonbridge Angels, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Surrey club, who average gates of 484 at Gander Green Lane this season, have decided to segregate travelling supporters for the first qualifying round tie.

Whilst there is NO evidence of trouble between both sets of supporters, an incident involving Sutton manager Paul Doswell and Tonbridge skipper Anthony Storey in front of the Tonbridge technical area during the first half of Sutton’s 3-1 win at Longmead Stadium last February, ensured the last fixture between the two sides was tasty.

The Angels’ seven match unbeaten run came to an end as Sutton United netted a last minute winner to win 2-1 at hostile Longmead Stadium on 19th September 2009.

A minority of the Tonbridge support verbally attacked home secretary Charlie Cole, stewards and hurled vitriolic abuse at Doswell - as ill-feeling spilt over from last season’s flash point.

Two days after the match, Mr Cole was forced to issue a statement, saying, “The behaviour of certain elements of our fan base was quite frankly ridiculous, and the level of abuse aimed at me, the stewards, and the Sutton management was totally unacceptable.

“I too agree that a certain amount of banter is an acceptable part of football life, but the behaviour was totally unacceptable.

“Perhaps the people responsible will take a long hard look at themselves, and think what harm that they are doing to the club.”

Following that, Sutton United officials have said that Tonbridge Angels supporters will be segregated at the open Collingwood Road end on Saturday - which has angered the Tonbridge faithful.

“This match will be segregated,” said a Sutton United club statement earlier in the week. “Tonbridge supporters will only have access to the terrace at the Collingwood Road and to the stand at that end of the ground and catering facilities will be available.

“Visiting supporters must use the entrance alongside the stand from the car-park.

“Sutton supporters may use any of the usual entrances but may not sit in the stand at the Collingwood Road end.

“We apologise for any inconvenience these arrangements may cause.”

A Sutton United club official issued a further statement on their fans’ forum, “I am really sorry for any inconvenience this causes to Sutton fans and to the vast majority of Tonbridge supporters.

“It is something we have not needed to do before for this level of football and I hope we will never need to do it again.

“I don’t want to go into details but with my health and safety hat on I have to consider the legal position and do what is best for Sutton United Football Club.

“Our actions have the support of the police and the Football Association.”

Fed-up Tonbridge Angels supporters - who were impeccably behaved when they travelled to Princes Park to play Dartford in front of an excellent midweek crowd of 1,228 - may even boycott the game in favour of watching their reserves host Uxbridge at Longmead Stadium.

Issuing a statement this lunchtime, Mr Cole said, “I am very sorry that Sutton United have taken the decisions to segregate the crowd at our game on Saturday.

“They have discussed arrangements with me, and I have been assured that proper catering and toilet facilities will be at our end of the ground.

“They have also reversed the technical areas so that our bench will be located in our end of the ground.

“Obviously I have spoken to the FA about this decision during the week, and have been informed that the home side can make these decisions in their own right.”

Dartford’s stadium manager, Paul Davey, meanwhile, said last night that he looks forward to welcoming Tonbridge Angels supporters to Princes Park.

“They brought a good number of supporters, all of whom were a great credit to their club,” he said.

“Many acquaintances were renewed in the bar in the true spirit of non-league football.”

Back-on-the-pitch, a victory for Tommy Warrilow’s side will be very rewarding - but a replay win at Longmead Stadium would be even better!

“I was gutted about going out of the FA Cup to Bromley but I’ll be going to Sutton to go and stay in that for as long as we can,” Angels manager Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night.

“We all know there’s good days out in that and it’s a tournament we should be looking to try and progress in.

“But again it’s not the easiest of draws, but we’ve played them this year sort of got robbed again at the last minute as well, so we’re going to their place hopefully we can go and frustrate them a little bit and come away with a win, which we’ve deserved in our last two performances.”

When asked about the segregation measures, Warrilow replied in full, “They can do what they want. I’m just there to take my football team there.

“I don’t care where the fans stand as long as our fans are looked after and they’re not in any danger, that’s what I care about.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Sutton United v Tonbridge Angels

FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round

Saturday 17th October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2EY