Brawling spectators ruined a junior football tournament and got two boys’ teams banned from finishing the final.
The match between Bilbrook and Beechdale under-15 teams had to be abandoned after the adults started rowing.
A report has been submitted to the Staffordshire Football Association about the incident which took place at Penkridge’s Monckton Recreation Centre on Sunday. But officials from both clubs today denied that parents of their players had been involved.
Penkridge Junior Football Club, which hosted the Summer Cup 2007 event, has expressed its disappointment in the fracas which caused the final to be abandoned.
Chairman Norman Mence said: “It was a disgraceful incident which Penkridge Juniors do not tolerate.
“A referee’s report is going to Staffordshire FA outlining what went on.
“The game was abandoned and those teams involved will not be invited to any future events.”
The Summer Cup included matches between 90 teams and was attended by 1,500 people.
But Paul Hendy, from Beechdale FC, said the incident had been “blown out of all proportion” and claimed his club has been told it will be invited back.
He said: “It was something out of nothing. It happened and things carried on.
He added: “We are very strict on parent behaviour and none of our parents were involved.”
Colin Taylor, treasurer from Bilbrook FC, said: “The game was abandoned but we did receive our finalist medals.” He added: “I know there were no parents from Bilbrook involved because they were standing on the other side of the pitch.”
Adam Evans, county governance manager for the Staffordshire FA, said: “We have not yet received the referee’s report so we can’t comment at the moment.”
15 Comments
what a bunch of brainless chavs. pure scum
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i was der nd it was a different team who started it
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A fight where no-one was apparently involved… wonder who won? Mr Nobody?
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i play for bilbrook juniors and im not scum
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Call themselves parents? They should be ashamed of themselves!!!
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i have been to these type football matches myself with my 13 year old nephew the parents take it more serious then the kids they must be brain dead
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i would like to let everyone know that it is not Beechdale Swifts fc involved with this incident
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Is it any wonder modern footballers are such a petulant, lousy bunch when they’re cheered on by fans like these as grow up?
Football associations up and down the land are reporting more of this kind of problem - caused, of course, by petulant, lousy parents with their gutter tongues.
English football is in crisis (our national squad ain’t won anything for years) so instilling discipline into our young players and their spectator parents might be a good place to start
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I can’t stand football because it raises too many negative emotions these days !!!
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If parents cant control themselves what chance have the kids got? They should be ashamed of themselves and grow up.
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One negative incident by a minority. Extreme weather conditions did not deter the numerous volunteers who ensured the tournament went ahead and provided enjoyment to the masses that attended. Where is there reference to the positive (of which there were many) of the day.
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APPALLING!!
How damn revolting of these so called parents to display that type of behaviour at a childs sporting event!
The Staffordshire FA should fine the teams concerned regardless of who started the fracas.
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I watched a match in March this year where a parent stormed across the pitch and punched an opposition parent to the ground and threatened the young players - Staffs FA did nothing!! Some of these teams win by scare tactics. Penkridge tournament was wonderful until this awful incident.
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i was at that tournament it was stupid
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i was there jon and our team did not start ut ok!!!!!
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