Source: The Non-League Paper (no online content)Police called in as supporters clash
FC UNITED chief executive Andy Walsh has warned the club's legion of fans to expect more provocation as the Rebels continue to climb the Non-League Pyramid.
Walsh was speaking after trouble flared during United's last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Salford City on Tuesday night.
More than 4,000 supporters were at the Willows - home of Salford City Reds rugby league club - and a minority of fans had to be separated by stewards and Greater Manchester Police.
Two supporters had unfurled an anti-FC United banner on the pitch at the start of the second half and banter between the supporters threatened to spill over when Nick Robinson earned Salford the points in injury time.
Chants of 'Judas, Judas' were directed towards the FC United fans, but Walsh said:
"The further we go and the higher we progress more people will want to see us getting beaten and fail.
"We're bound to get rivalries as we develop and people will want to rubbish us.
"Fans were exchanging chants - that's what they do - but there were no fights, no arrests and nobody was injured. I'd rather celebrate the fact that there were more than 4,000 fans at a Step 5 Non-League football match - not the actions of a couple of idiots."
Police confirmed that no arrests were made but one bystander - who wished to remain anonymous - admitted events off the pitch had soured what happenened on it.
He said: "It was like going back 30 years at the end and a lot of people, particularly the women and children, were scared.
"It's not what you expect to see at these games and it spoilt a good evening.
"FC United matches aren't about any of that and their success has been built on the back of a fantastic family atmosphere but there was a poisonous atmosphere on Tuesday.
"Some people had obviously gone to the match intent on stirring up trouble."
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