Shrewsbury v Cobblers

[Insider]

This case will collapse in court.  I sat about 20 feet away from Black Army and his friends,  the stewards were at least another 20-30 feet away.  I heard nothing abusive from any Cobblers' fans all game and a Shrews fan who sat with me that day remarked how much fun and good natured our fans were.  

[ClaretCobbler]

There was nothing said!

[betamax toploader]

As well as a few other people on here, i know the lad concerned. He is not a racist, and is also too intelligent to shout out loud anything of that nature, as he would be well aware of the possible consequence of such actions.
I wasnt at the game, but i do not believe him to be guilty of that charge. As it is only one persons word against another, in the absence of any firm evidence (cctv?) the case against him must surely be thrown out. Good luck mate.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

By far the most concerning aspect of this has to be the stress and damage to someones reputation should this be found to be groundless. Especially as the whole thing appears to rest on the testimony of one person. Most stewards are hardly the epitome of impartiality and honesty at the best of times.

If the allegations are found not to be true, it has to be fair to pursue the steward involved for wasting police time as well deformation of character.

[JimmyRiddle]

Something similar happened to a guy I was with a few years ago at Field Mill, the season we got tanked by Mansfield (with Asamoah scoring against us). When Del boy scored, my mate shouted out "I can't believe that little **** scored against us." Within seconds, he was man handled by three stewards who then marched him to some police officers. They reported him for calling Del Boy a **** which they felt was a racist slur. 

**** = s h i t

[JollyCobbler]

By far the most concerning aspect of this has to be the stress and damage to someones reputation should this be found to be groundless. Especially as the whole thing appears to rest on the testimony of one person. Most stewards are hardly the epitome of impartiality and honesty at the best of times.

If the allegations are found not to be true, it has to be fair to pursue the steward involved for wasting police time as well deformation of character.

Playing devil's advocate for a moment. I would find it highly bizarre if a case such as this made the courts without any corroborating evidence. Either the steward concerned would have used his radio to alert the control room that someone was using such language, and they would then film that person and use video evidence to promote their case. Or else more than one person (stewards) must be willing to stand in court and identify the offender.
I notice that he has not been charged with a racially agravated public order offence, therefore I wonder if they are now clutching at straws and just looking to make an example of him. Such as by accusing him of foul and threatening language, such as you might well hear at any football match.

[oakey3132]

The problem is he will probably face a banning order if found guilty, regardless of whether it is a racially aggravated charge.

[DL2]

I so hope he is not made an example of given this is a particularly 'hot topic' in football at the moment.

[DrillingCobbler]

Playing devil's advocate for a moment. I would find it highly bizarre if a case such as this made the courts without any corroborating evidence. Either the steward concerned would have used his radio to alert the control room that someone was using such language, and they would then film that person and use video evidence to promote their case. Or else more than one person (stewards) must be willing to stand in court and identify the offender.
I notice that he has not been charged with a racially agravated public order offence, therefore I wonder if they are now clutching at straws and just looking to make an example of him. Such as by accusing him of foul and threatening language, such as you might well hear at any football match.

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

I myself got man handled by a copper at Mansfield a few years ago, the season when we won there 3-1 to qualify for the playoffs. I was sat on the very front row near the corner and our end was mostly stood up singing 2-1,2-1,2-1....I was joining in whilst also using my middle fingers (2 on one hand, 1 on the other) to visually add to it (as were most people)! Anyway, the copper claimed I was doing the middle finger insult lol! I started laughing and tried to explain (I was ****ed!) when he started shoving me about (when round the corner out of sight) and trying to wind me up into reacting. Whilst telling me that if I continued to lie I would be arrested. Anyway, I went and sat back down and he remained a few feet away staring at me. The woman behind me (an elderly lady) asked what had happened and when I tried to tell her he came back over, this time with his 'mate' and pulled me around the corner again and proceeded to pin me up against the wall. I didn't react, after saying 'sorry' to him they let me back to my seat and then serveyed me for the rest of the match. After the game had finished I went up to him and told him that I would be reporting him on the Monday and took his number. I did do just that but obviously nothing happened.

I guess what Im trying to say is that over the years I've learned to try and be 'in the crowd' instead of being isolated when things get a little agitated. Black Army had obviously gone to the front, was on his own and therefore was an easy target for them. Sadly this happens at every game with somebody. Hopefully the geezer will be a bit more low profile next time and not give them an 'easy nick'. Because lets face it, many stewards and police are after just that. Not the majority of them or anywhere near that level...but they are about and they just want to exert their authority.

Good luck mate; I wasn't there but I know that you wouldn't have done anything other than a bit of f-ing and blinding.

[Bingers]

Good luck mate; I wasn't there but I know that you wouldn't have done anything other than a bit of f-ing and blinding.

Same here, totally agree.

Also agree with what Fenners said.

As I told Black Army at Morecombe, I wouldn't offering this support if I had the slightest doubt in his character and thought the allegations might be true.

[BackOfTheNet]

As well as a few other people on here, i know the lad concerned. He is not a racist, and is also too intelligent to shout out loud anything of that nature, as he would be well aware of the possible consequence of such actions.
I wasnt at the game, but i do not believe him to be guilty of that charge. As it is only one persons word against another, in the absence of any firm evidence (cctv?) the case against him must surely be thrown out. Good luck mate.

I'm kind of at the opposite end of the scale to you - I don't know the guy at all, not even to put a face to him, but I was at the game. In fact, I think I might have been sitting a couple of rows in front of him. I say "I think" because the first I knew of anything happening is when some bloke approached someone behind me at half time and told him his mate had just been called over by a steward and thrown out. For all I know they might not have been sitting together, but assuming they were then if anything was said then it must have been said bloody quietly because I certainly didn't hear it.