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« on: August 22, 2008, 10:11:28 PM »
I can't believe that statement, I have written to the Woking General Manager requesting it to be removed.
Mr Morgan,
I was amazed and dumbfounded to read the statement on the Woking FC website regarding the new segregation rules at the Kingfield Stadium.
I have been visiting your ground since the mid-nineties and whilst there has always been a vocal home support there has never been any trouble with Altrincham fans.
In this day and age segregation is becoming more and more common place in this league, much to my disappointment. I would like to think where possible fans should not be segregated at this level as meeting opposition fans has always been a high point of the non-league day out.
In the case of this seasons match I met several good Woking fans; one of which we even went in to Woking with for a few drinks after we left your bar after 7pm!
The only incident during the game was initiated by a small group of "fans" goading the Altrincham fans and if, as requested by some Altrincham fans to the stewards, these fans had been ejected from the ground then sense would have prevailed. I'm sure if I had acted in the same manner I would have been escourted out of the ground and rightly so.
Unfortunately there will always be an element of moronic behaviour by football fans however it would be a real shame to lose what we do still have at this level.
However I do find it insulting that Woking FC see fit to publish a statement blaming Altrincham fans for bad behaviour, it is slander on the name of Altrincham FC and may end up with our fans experiencing adverse reactions at other grounds from now on, including local trouble makers turning up to confront what they have read as like minded people.
I have been watching Altrincham since 1982 and not seen a single incident of Altrinham fans causing trouble, bar the odd drunk or strange face.
I request that statement is retracted and an apology posted.
Best Regards,
John Gill
London Alty