Investigation launched after Nottinghamshire football club accused of 'totally unacceptable' behaviour

Worksop Town FC's home ground
-Credit: (Image: Google)


The FA is looking into reports of violence between football fans after a Nottinghamshire football team was accused of 'totally unacceptable' behaviour. Worksop Town FC played out a 1-1 draw with opponents King’s Lynn FC on Saturday, September 28, but tensions boiled over once the full-time whistle was blown.

The Norfolk club has claimed its supporters were attacked following the home team's late goal in the FA Cup tie, alleging that drunk fans wearing leather gloves had engaged in "totally unacceptable" behaviour. A spokesperson said: "Some Worksop fans were wearing leather gloves which we have further learnt to be part of ‘hooligan culture’ and when our fans asked to report the matter to stewards they were told that there were only two stewards in the stadium.

"It has also been reported that several Worksop players jumped into the crowd after the final whistle [...]. We understand that children and even a female King’s Lynn supporter were attacked."

The National League North side further accused Worksop of not having enough stewards and not separating fans well enough. However, on Monday, September 30, a spokesperson for Worksop Town said King's Lynn's statement was "very disappointing" and denied what it called "unfounded and unsubstantiated accusations" made by its opposition.

The club representative said one of its supporters had been soaked in drink and intimidated by King's Lynn fans after celebrating his team's late goal, resulting in a "minor disturbance which was quelled by our security staff". They also accused a King's Lynn player of a "petulant childish act of violence" that caused serious damage to a pitch-side dugout following the equaliser.

Worksop Town said it had arranged for nine volunteer stewards and five security staff to control the 750 fans that were expected, denied claims that supporters were drunk or hooligans, and added police had no issue with the game going ahead despite what it called "King’s Lynn’s reputation for crowd trouble". "We have had no reports of assaults or injury, nor any adverse reports from police or any other authority," the spokesperson added.

Nottinghamshire Live understands the FA, which is the governing body of association football in England, is looking into reports of violence at the cup game. The teams will have to face each other again at a replay on Tuesday, October 1, with the winner to progress to the fourth and final qualifying round.

The game will be played at King's Lynn's home ground and the club has said tickets will be limited for Worksop fans due to the weekend's events. The club added: "We have increased stewarding numbers for the game and to make matters clear the match will be all ticket for Worksop fans and any away supporters found in the home end will be ejected without compensation.

"We appreciate that many Worksop fans behave in a decent and respectable manner and that the few have ruined it for the many. As a club, supporters' safety is paramount to King’s Lynn Town FC and we will always ensure that we do everything in our power to ensure that fans attending our stadium can watch the game without any fear."