‘Mindless Idiots' To Be Banned

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FLEETWOOD TOWN chairman Andy Pilley has vowed to hand out lifetime bans to the "mindless idiots" who attacked FC United keeper Sam Ashton in last week's FA Cup clash at the Highbury Stadium, writes DANIEL SCHOFIELD.

A record 3,112 packed into the ground to see Fleetwood win 2-1, but before the match kicked off Ashton was hit by full plas­tic bottles and coins.

Club officials are now going through CCTV footage to find the culprits and Pilley insists justice will be swift.

He said: "People like that have no place in the Non-League game. I would urge anyone who knows who was responsible to come forward and tell who these people are. As soon as they are identified they will be banned.

"Ninety-nine per cent of our supporters behave impecca­bly, but there's just a couple of mindless idiots who spoil it for everyone.

"We have offered a full apology to FC United and they have been fantastic over the whole incident."

Rebel’s boss Karl Marginson was quick to praise 21-year-old Ashton for his cool response.

He showed great character to just get on with it”, he said. "Some people could have been really affected by that sort of thing but he just got on with the game.

"There is absolutely no bad blood between the clubs and we just hope these idiots get caught as quickly as possible."

Jamie Mulligan scored twice from the penalty spot to see the Cod Army though to a second qualifying round tie at Billingham Town.


The Non-League paper

Sunday September 23, 2007-09-23