Atherstone 'embarrassed' by crowd trouble at FA Cup tie

[dutchman]

Atherstone chairman Rob Weale apologised to Barrow supporters after disturbances at half-time delayed their FA Cup third qualifying round tie.

Visiting fans were allegedly approached and abused at the interval of Barrow's 4-0 victory, leading to police attending and a 20-minute stoppage.

"I am personally embarrassed about the scenes here at half-time," Weale told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It was unacceptable, obviously we will be pursuing the perpetrators."

He added: "We will work alongside the security officers, the referees and the police and those people responsible will feel the full force of the law.

"The situation was defused as quickly as possible, the police came into take control but once it has happened it has happened and I apologise to the Barrow fans."

Midland Combination Premier Division side Atherstone had progressed through five rounds to get to the third qualifying stage, with the visit of Conference North side Barrow one of the biggest games in their history.

"It's wrecked it and it makes me feel sick," manager Ivor Green told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.

"The second half just fizzled out, both sides were affected by it."

[dutchman]

Atherstone Barrow FA Cup violence: Seven men arrested

Seven men have been arrested in connection with violence at an FA Cup tie between two non-league clubs.

The disorder happened at Saturday's match between Atherstone Town and Barrow, which Barrow won 4-0.

Atherstone blamed a minority of "mindless idiots" for the incidents, which included scuffles between home supporters and visiting players.

Flares are also reported to have been thrown into the visitors' section of the ground, and a flag was set on fire.

An elderly man was punched in the face, police said.

The arrested men, all from Atherstone, are aged between 20 and 28 and have been bailed.

[dutchman]

29 charged after Atherstone Town FA Cup match turned violent



Seven teenagers are among 29 people who have been charged with violent disorder during an FA Cup football match at Atherstone Town.

Trouble flared when fans invaded the pitch just before half-time of the third qualifying round tie against Barrow last October.

Players and fans ran for cover as fighting broke out. Flares and smoke bombs were also let off and one man tried to get into the visitors dressing room, while an elderly spectator was slightly injured.

Atherstone were losing 4-0 at the time and there was no further score, as club chairman Rob Weale offered a swift apology for the disturbing scenes. He said he was “personally embarrassed” and added that anyone found responsible would be banned for life from the Sheepy Road ground.

Following an investigation into the incident, Warwickshire Police made 34 arrests. In addition to the 29 charged with violent disorder, one other person was released without charge and the others accepted police cautions.

The 29, nearly all of whom come from the Atherstone area, are due to appear before magistrates in Leamington on February 28.

Two of them are aged 16 and 17 and cannot be named.

Warwickshire Police named the others as:

Lewis Johnson, aged 21, of Brailsford Road, Manchester; Joseph Gilkes, 22, Royal Meadow Drive, Atherstone; Steven Jones, 23, Church Walk, Atherstone; Sam Barsby, 24, Austin Close, Atherstone; Scott Hankinson, 26, Kennel Lane, Atherstone; Ben Brookes, 20, Daniel Road, Atherstone; Jamies Barsby, 27, Tannery Close, Atherstone; Mark Shilton, 30, St Georges Road, Atherstone; Steven Jakovlevs, 24, The Crescent, Atherstone; Andrew Storey, 18, Old Farm Road, Atherstone; Ben Cox, 27, Tannery Close, Atherstone; Richard Smith, 24, Cherry Orchard Estate, Nuneaton; Ashley Jenkins, 24, Tudor Crescent, Atherstone; Roy Hall, 49, Denham Court, Atherstone; Jordan Marshall, 21, Royal Meadow Drive, Atherstone; Cory Sweet, 19, Minions Close, Atherstone; Matthew Evans, 21, Long Street, Atherstone; Tommy Johnson, 24, Trafford Close, Atherstone; Jacob Powell, 19, Boot Hill, Atherstone; Connoe Rendchen, 21, South Street, Atherstone; Paul Tyler, 28, Lister Road, Atherstone; Stuart Allison, 22, Fielding Close, Atherstone; Ross Kirkham, 19, Manor Road, Atherstone; Kasey Sweet, 22, Minions Close, Atherstone; Lewis Cooper, 19, Leicester Crescent, Atherstone; Danny Austin, 28, St. Georges Road, Athersone; Alex Turner, 21, St Georges Road, Atherstone.