To Peter Dyer,
This is my opinion/description of the events that occurred on the 26th Jan 08 (Stalybridge vs Lisbon St Anthony’s) at Blocksages playing field Dunkenfield.
The first half consisted of Stalybridge scoring 2 goals, with
From that point onwards their number 17 did nothing but commit late challenges on Hanifa Douglas, in my opinion the number 17 should have been sent off after the 2nd confrontation with Hanifa – this was the most blatant and unsporting football behaviour I have ever seen. At this point I moved Hanifa into another position (something I’ve never done before) and their number 17 tried to start yet another fight with yet another Lisbon player, Aphra Evans (centre half). She was once again pushing Aphra back and goading her into a fight. Once Lisbon scored their final 3 goals the game was almost unwatchable, as the Stalybridge keeper deliberately stamped on Finney’s foot forcing her out of the game (not the 1st time this has happened, remember the game against Stockport 06/07 season) – once again this should have been another red card, in my opinion.
Then another Lisbon player, Hanaan, was completely taken out from behind, after the ball had been played – another dangerous tackle, Lisbon were awarded yet another free kick, but by this point the referee had lost control of the game. I even asked the referee to blow the whistle for every tackle from both teams to try and slow the game down, and I asked him to finish the game early as it was extremely uncomfortable to watch and the tackles were dangerous.
Before the full time whistle was blown, I told my players to leave the pitch straight away once the game had finished – don’t shake hands, just get off the pitch. When the full time whistle was blown I personally ran onto the pitch and grabbed Hanifa’s hand and walked her over to our side of the pitch and stood with my parents (fearing for her safety).
A number of the Stalybridge players (not all) decided to walk over to our side of the pitch and continued to cause trouble, shouting abuse at Hanifa. I then personally asked the Stalybridge players to leave us alone and return to their side of the pitch. At this point I was stood with all my parents and players and the referee, when the Stalybridge number 17 pushed passed my parents and made a lunge for Hanifa. After that quick scuffle was broken up, I noticed another scuffle between the Stalybridge and Lisbon St Anthony’s girls to my left, and after that was broken up I noticed yet another scuffle on my right. It was literally a football nightmare, even Andy Ellams who was on our side of the pitch saw the disgraceful behaviour of some of the Stalybridge girls (again not all).
I am not saying that the
After breaking up a number of scuffles between the teams, with the help of my parents and Andy Ellams, I once again personally grabbed Hanifa’s hand and walked her and Ria Conroy to my car. We were once again followed by a number of Stalybridge players and the keeper’s parents, who continued to shout abuse and taunt Hanifa Douglas in particular. After locking both Hanifa and Ria in my car (fearing for their safety) my car was then surrounded by a number of Stalybridge players banging on the windows and trying to get in.
At this point after repeatedly asking the girls to leave us alone, my only option was to ring the police. The police arrived after 10 minutes and took my details (I have not heard from them yet). Eventually we were allowed to leave to my team’s relief. In my opinion the Stalybridge keeper, number 17, number 9, and the girl in the tracksuit top (on video) were all guilty of violent behaviour towards my team, especially Hanifa
Since the event I’ve heard that Laura Annand's mum was physically threatened by the Stalybridge keeper’s mum, (did this not also happen to the referee at the
Today was the single worst experience I’ve ever seen in my five years in the SMGFL, even though my parents and Andy Ellams tried to help restrain a number of Stalybridge players, it is now quite obvious that some of the Stalybridge girls are in fact now uncontrollable and have no respect for anybody.
Even after the game they continued to follow us across four football and rugby pitches to a car park they don’t even use, as they park locally on the estate.
Once again this was the worst behaviour I’ve ever witnessed at any football match. I have all the names and telephone numbers of all the parents that attended Saturday’s game, which I can supply at your request. There were 12 adults including coaches at the game and I’m more than sure each and every one of them would be happy to speak to a member of the league.
We are due to play Stalybridge in the league and league cup final this season and I’m personally asking the league to abandon both these games, as I can not put my team or parents under the threat of more violence. (
There is also the issue of racial abuse towards Hanifa and Aphra Evans, with the words n****r being used a number of times. I personally heard this but cannot identify the girl responsible because I was trying to break up a scuffle at the time.
Then there is the fact that the Stalybridge keeper has apparently lodged a complaint with the police against Hanifa Douglas, saying a parent held her down while she was kicked (I have had no contact from the police). I have spoken to all the parents, and our side of a very complicated story, is one of our parents grabbed the keeper as she was trying to attack Hanifa Douglas, and both parties fell on the floor as Hanifa was kicking out in self defence. Of course the keeper and her parents (both on video) failed to mention they followed us and tried to attack us at every opportunity.
We do have some video footage which is included in this email, showing the disgraceful behaviour of some of the Stalybridge girls.
I would like to say that my parents and Claire (coach) and myself, did everything possible to prevent this situation, and we stand by my team 100%.
Under no circumstances do I or Lisbon St Anthony’s condone violence of any form, but I will not be punishing any of my team for defending themselves against certain feral young players from the Stalybridge team.
I would once again like to remind the league that I personally removed Hanifa from the pitch, and repeatedly asked the Stalybridge team to leave us alone.
In my opinion the Stalybridge number 17 and the keeper was the catalyst for the appalling behaviour on Saturday, it seems in hindsight that once Hanifa managed to get the upper hand in what was a very even game, violence was there only solution.
I have read the report from the referee (also the Stalybridge chairman) and I must say I’m extremely disappointed with his report. The referee was standing by my side when the Stalybridge girls pushed past my parents and tried to attack Hanifa, something he failed to mention. He was stood in the car park at the end of the game, and I asked the police to take his details, something he failed to mention. And he watched the Stalybridge girls follow and taunt and attack the
When I did get the chance to speak to the referee he said I behaved impeccably, through out the game and during the commotion, something he failed he mention. I was really hoping the referee might be a bit more detailed in his approach to this report and support
I would like to say that one of my parents did tell me that Andy Ellams tried to help calm the situation down, and I thank him for that, and he did personally tell me that he would be suspending some of the Stalybridge girls for their behaviour on Saturday, once again I thank him for that.
And finally I would like to thank the Stalybridge girls that didn’t get involved with the trouble that followed the game, especially number 11 as she was the only player to shake my hand
I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this might cause the league.
- David Sinclair (head coach)
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