Assault by Wimbledon supporter

[Avsuptem]

Being Kent based Donny supporters the only tickets available to my older, elderly brother and I at Wimbledon yesterday were in the Cappagh stand at the end of the row and right next to the DRFC bench. When the final whistle blew we stood up to celebrate which, in hindsight, was possibly a bad move and it may have been wiser to feign misery because, our action of standing up, rather upset a nearby spectator. This same fellow had been providing a running demonstration of his vast knowledge of football all game and what he lacked in oratory skills he had more than made up for in volume. He was accompanied by an equally vociferous young lad of about 10 years old, presumably his son, who had spent much of the game advising our Grant as to his imminent employment status and instructing him on correct use of the technical area. Unfortunately, and we have the brilliant Owen Bailey to thank for this, when the goal went in and the whistle blew, this member of Wimbledon's finest decided to vent his albeit understandable frustration upon my elderly brother by menacingly, at the top of his well - used voice, accusing us of being Donny supporters illegally located in the ground. He finessed his aggression by a physical attack pushing my brother causing him to fall backwards on the terrace steps, fortunately without causing serious injury. My point of this post is not to over dramatise a minor incident the like of which most of us have or will probably experience supporting Donny at some time in our lives but rather to heap massive praise and appreciation upon our club, Grant Mcann and the Doncaster players sitting on the bench all of whom leapt to our immediate defence. We were after all somewhat outnumbered by about 1000 to one. Five fit Donny players provided a massive deterrent to the matter escalating and they were all ready to defend us. The nearest was Glen Middleton who was clearly willing to intervene if the matter got worse. Grant delayed entering the pitch to celebrate with the players and made sure that both my brother and I were OK, he and several of our players expressed their empathy with us and led us to shelter in the tunnel to avoid more frustration being vented upon us as the players exited the pitch. My point is that Grant McCann often speaks of building his squad full of good characters and developing a mutually supportive family atmosphere in the club and the value of this was abundantly evident in what took place. Make no mistake, we have an absolute gem of manager who's heart and soul is with the club and the fans, we could not do better. Thank you Glenn Middleton, thank you Grant Mc Cann, thank you all the lads on the Rovers bench.

[Bristol Red Rover]

Sorry to hear of the agressiom, but thanks for the post. Always great to hear of heart at the club, and stepping up like this. Best wishes to your brother, hoping he is recovered from any physical, mental trauma.

[welloffside]

Avsuptem.
                     Not nice. There are some morons in football.

To everybody. Youtube, search Treaddur Bay FC elbow (or somthing similar) This is on the pitch!!

What would YOU do to this player? Life ban, criminal conviction.

Why does violence follow football? witness our fellow supporters experience.

                       Sorry,     rant over

[Rovers Return]

Being Kent based Donny supporters the only tickets available to my older, elderly brother and I at Wimbledon yesterday were in the Cappagh stand at the end of the row and right next to the DRFC bench. When the final whistle blew we stood up to celebrate which, in hindsight, was possibly a bad move and it may have been wiser to feign misery because, our action of standing up, rather upset a nearby spectator. This same fellow had been providing a running demonstration of his vast knowledge of football all game and what he lacked in oratory skills he had more than made up for in volume. He was accompanied by an equally vociferous young lad of about 10 years old, presumably his son, who had spent much of the game advising our Grant as to his imminent employment status and instructing him on correct use of the technical area. Unfortunately, and we have the brilliant Owen Bailey to thank for this, when the goal went in and the whistle blew, this member of Wimbledon's finest decided to vent his albeit understandable frustration upon my elderly brother by menacingly, at the top of his well - used voice, accusing us of being Donny supporters illegally located in the ground. He finessed his aggression by a physical attack pushing my brother causing him to fall backwards on the terrace steps, fortunately without causing serious injury. My point of this post is not to over dramatise a minor incident the like of which most of us have or will probably experience supporting Donny at some time in our lives but rather to heap massive praise and appreciation upon our club, Grant Mcann and the Doncaster players sitting on the bench all of whom leapt to our immediate defence. We were after all somewhat outnumbered by about 1000 to one. Five fit Donny players provided a massive deterrent to the matter escalating and they were all ready to defend us. The nearest was Glen Middleton who was clearly willing to intervene if the matter got worse. Grant delayed entering the pitch to celebrate with the players and made sure that both my brother and I were OK, he and several of our players expressed their empathy with us and led us to shelter in the tunnel to avoid more frustration being vented upon us as the players exited the pitch. My point is that Grant McCann often speaks of building his squad full of good characters and developing a mutually supportive family atmosphere in the club and the value of this was abundantly evident in what took place. Make no mistake, we have an absolute gem of manager who's heart and soul is with the club and the fans, we could not do better. Thank you Glenn Middleton, thank you Grant Mc Cann, thank you all the lads on the Rovers bench.

I was watching the game on stream and I saw this fracas as the final whistle went. Hope you guys are OK. Unfortunately there are morons in every club. I would rather we had a reputation as a great and friendly fan base than a moronic one.

[GazLaz]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

[Avsuptem]

Thanks Gents for the good wishes  it was my brother's pride that was injured more that anything else, one of the stewards told the offender that he should not attack an 80 years old man, he is a mere 75 in real life just mature for his age appearance - wise.

[Pancho Regan]

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to share that experience Avsuptem.

Nobody should have to suffer an incident like that and I hope you and your brother are ok.

Well done to Grant and the other Rovers staff for seeing what had happened and for coming to your assistance.

Wimbledon FC need to be made aware of this and they should take the appropriate action concerning the individual involved.

[Pancho Regan]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

Is that your best contribution to this thread?

[Avsuptem]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

Do not have a local Doncaster address so just bought them from Wimbledon FC. After the game their chief steward told us whereas they do not encourage away supporters buying tickets in the home stand there is no rule or restriction preventing it.

[GazLaz]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

Do not have a local Doncaster address so just bought them from Wimbledon FC. After the game their chief steward told us whereas they do not encourage away supporters buying tickets in the home stand there is no rule or restriction preventing it.

If there’s ever a situation where you can’t get a ticket in the away end, and you’d rather be in there, message me on here and I will sort the tickets out for you.

[welloffside]

I live near Stevenage.  At our recent game I tried to buy two tickets (Grandson and I) In the Donny (away) end.

They would not sell me them. Any tickets bought for the away end HAD to bought through DRFC.

Fun fact:The away end at Stevenage is sponsored by a funeral directors, It's known as 'The dead end'

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Avsuptem.
                     Not nice. There are some morons in football.

To everybody. Youtube, search Treaddur Bay FC elbow (or somthing similar) This is on the pitch!!

What would YOU do to this player? Life ban, criminal conviction.

Why does violence follow football? witness our fellow supporters experience.

                       Sorry,     rant over

Police now looking into that. One of worst things I’ve seen on a football pitch.

[donnievic]

Not saying you deserved this in anyway but the away end wasn’t a sell out so  not sure why you couldn’t get ticket for away end being doncaster fans surely you have account on system and Wimbledon tickets are emailed to you rather than physical tickets

[Iberian Red]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

Is that your best contribution to this thread?

Pancho Regan and Usher Outwide= Chuckle bros

[Bristol Red Rover]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

Do not have a local Doncaster address so just bought them from Wimbledon FC. After the game their chief steward told us whereas they do not encourage away supporters buying tickets in the home stand there is no rule or restriction preventing it.

If there’s ever a situation where you can’t get a ticket in the away end, and you’d rather be in there, message me on here and I will sort the tickets out for you.

I buy from the Keepmoat and the tickets get taken down on the team bus for collection at the away clubs ticket office. If there's time, I  think you can buy earlier and have them posted for a small charge, but a charge nontheless.

[Lesonthewest]

Glad you are both ok, & fantastic to know our players & manager had your backs. Well done Grant & the players, just love our club.

[Silkscarf]

Hopefully the moron will be dealt with appropriately by Wimbledon. No excuse for that behaviour. Best wishes to you and your brother Avsuptem. Great to hear how Grant and our team responded.

We’ve all used home areas of away grounds from time to time over the years. Needs must. For example I was in the big stand at Elland Rd when we won there. I somehow managed to keep schtum.

[Bentley Bullet]

A mate and I went to Oakwell years ago. We were late getting in, and the game had started. Next thing, Rovers scored, so inevitably we celebrated by jumping up and dancing around. It didn't take long to realise we were the only ones celebrating.

We were in the bloody Barnsley end.

[Pancho Regan]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

Is that your best contribution to this thread?

Pancho Regan and Usher Outwide= Chuckle bros

Is that your best contribution to this thread?

[RugbyRover]

Sounds like Glen Middleton is nailed on for VSC Player of the Year.....

[Chris Black come back]

50 likes and still rising.

[nightporter]

You can see the aftermath on the full match replay on Rovers+

[MachoMadness]

One thing about Grant is he does seem to get good people in the team. I remember in his first spell we were away somewhere and one of our morons spat at a ball boy/mascot after the final whistle. Grant opened his post match interview talking about it, clearly livid, and said Alfie May (i think) had sorted the lad a shirt and a visit to the dressing room to meet his players.

It's credit to him that he has these values and that he gets the players to buy so fully into them.

[IDM]

Bristol Rovers.?

[idler]

Bristol Rovers.?

Yes I was behind the goal but I think that the lad that spat was on the side area.

[Usher wide.]

How come you didn’t sit in the away end?

Is that your best contribution to this thread?

Pancho Regan and Usher Outwide= Chuckle bros

70+ likes (positives) to this OP & this is your ‘contribution’ to Avesuptem’s post?

Sad GazLaz disciple. Let’s move on.

I hope you can take more positives form this horrible experience & not dwell too much on the negatives Avesuptem. You did all you could to ensure your brother was protected within that stadium given your tickets were issued on the basis of your postcode,

Your invaluable description of events along with the limited video footage I have seen will hopefully see one more moron identified & banned from future games.

This is the sort of thing I witnessed from so called Rovers fans 3/4 seasons ago in the Rotherham away end.

Fifty year old something fathers with their children aged less than teens shouting “Scum & paedo” vitriol to Rotherham supporters with the obvious intent of ‘blooding their youngsters’ into this ongoing circle of unwarranted hate.

It doesn’t belong in our society to anyone with an ounce of integrity for their children’s & the worlds ‘well being’.

Let’s make sure it doesn’t ‘breed’ in our football world.