Boston United chairman threatens to ban fans involved in fighting at Gainsborough Trinity

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Thursday, February 07, 2013
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Lincolnshire Echo

The chairman of Boston United could hand out lifetime bans to supporters who were involved in crowd trouble at Gainsborough Trinity.

Fighting broke out between both sets of fans during the second half of Saturday's game at the Northolme leaving one of them nursing a broken nose.

  1. Incident: Some supporters were involved in clashes during the Gainsborough Trinity v Boston United game

    Incident: Some supporters were involved in clashes during the Gainsborough Trinity v Boston United game

  2. Incident:  Some  supporters were involved in clashes during the Gainsborough Trinity v Boston United game

    Incident: Some supporters were involved in clashes during the Gainsborough Trinity v Boston United game

No police were present at the Blue Square North match, which finished in a 2-2 draw, and no arrests were made.

Gainsborough have since refused to comment on the incident, but have passed CCTV footage to officers in a bid to identify the hooligans.

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Now, Boston chairman David Newton says supporters of the club could be prevented from attending games once investigations by both sides and the police are completed.

Mr Newton said: "We have identified some of the potential Boston fans who may have been involved to Lincolnshire Police.

"We will wait until the evidence has been reviewed and make a decision over any action we take – it could be bans, it could be lifetime bans.

"I think it's disgraceful.

"We don't condone it and it is something we will not tolerate."

Fighting broke out just after Danny Hone had equalised to make it 1-1.

One man was reportedly knocked to the floor as three people sustained minor injuries.

It is the second successive year that trouble has occurred at this fixture.

Officers could now be placed at The Northolme stadium for next year's game after a review by police chiefs.

Police were not informed of the problems at the game until later that evening.

Lincolnshire Police spokesman Dick Holmes said: "We have been in contact with both clubs and are currently in the process of identifying and reviewing CCTV footage.

"That might provide us with the information and evidence we need to pursue those who caused the trouble.

"Our aim is to co-operate with the clubs involved to ensure supporters and spectators can enjoy the matches in safety.

"Should these two clubs be playing in the same league next season we will police the fixtures in a manner designed to bring this about."

Officers want to speak to witnesses who saw what happened or who can identify the offenders.

The incident was included in the referee's match report, which is now with the Football Association. They have also launched an investigation.

After the game, Gainsborough chairman Peter Swann posted on the club's website: "We will pass the video to the police and let them deal with it.

"If someone wants to fight, they will, no matter what we do.

"All we can do is put things in place to try to stop it happening. As always the majority of fans were excellent and the banter was great as usual."

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