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'Hunt you down and find you' Swindon Town and Ian Holloway condemn incidents in clash at Walsall's Bescot

Swindon Town Football Club and manager Ian Holloway have made appeals for those guilty of "unacceptable behaviour" against Walsall on Saturday to come forward.

By Lewis Cox
Published

Swindon, who lost 2-1 courtesy of a late winner at the Saddlers' Bescot home, said in a statement they are "appalled" by incidents including pyrotechnics, objects being thrown, damage to the stadium and abuse at individuals including players, staff, officials and directors.

The Robins' experienced boss Holloway gave a passionate condemnation of the incident, in which he alleged a visiting supporter had ripped a seat from the away end and launched it towards Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts.

Swindon warned those guilty will face the strictest possible repercussions, including legal action where possible, with the relevant local authorities involved.

A club statement after the League Two curtain-raiser read: "Swindon Town will not tolerate any conduct that endangers the safety of others or damages the reputation of our football club.

"We remain grateful to the overwhelming majority of our supporters who continue to follow the team in the right way and uphold the values we stand for.

"We urge all fans to play their part in maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment at all our matches — home or away.

"If you have any information that could support our investigation, we urge you to contact us in confidence via media@swindontownfc.co.uk "

Evan Weir celebrates his first Walsall goal in the clash, which was marred by late incidents involving the away supporters.
Evan Weir celebrates his first Walsall goal in the clash, which was marred by late incidents involving the away supporters.

Holloway encouraged supporters who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with information about who was responsible.

He said: "I'm a human being and I love this game. I am passionate about it, but I also love other human beings.

"I love their goalie and I love their team. Whether they beat or us not, I'm here to represent my wonderful football club in a way that is courteous in defeat, gracious, tenacious as well.

"I want to fight for things, but what you don't do is rip out a seat and throw it at someone. Whoever was stood by the person who did it, I need you to step forward and say 'I'm not having that in football'.

"I want to bring my grandchildren to watch my team and I wouldn't want Walsall thinking that about all of us.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, whoever it is. That's not football.

 "If you saw it and know who it is, if that's your mate, how dare you not sort them out and stop them doing it while trying to do it? What's the matter with you? Society is wrong and these people creep into football and don't do anything about it.

"I'm standing up for Swindon Town Football Club. We don't want anything to do with this. Whoever you are you should be ashamed of yourself and I'm going to hunt you down and find you."