Trouble at Dunston and Darlington game investigated by Northern League

12:11pm Monday 24th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter

LEAGUE officials are investigating reports of unruly behaviour at a non-league football game at the weekend.

Police were called to the Dunston UTS versus Darlington FC game in Gateshead on Saturday afternoon.

A 45-YEAR-old man was issued with a fixed penalty notice for disorderly conduct. Police said the man was from the Darlington area.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos said he was investigating reports of unacceptable behaviour at the game.

Writing in the chairman’s blog on the Northern League website, Mr Amos said he was not at the match, adding: “I don’t fully know what happened.

“What seems likely, however, is that a very small and very drunk minority threatens to mar the Northern League experience - and the family atmosphere which Darlington have so much enjoyed - for the vast majority.

“Among the things I don’t yet know is whether that minority claim to be Darlington followers. Once the picture becomes clearer, appropriate advice will be given and, if need be, appropriate action taken. Both clubs are cooperating fully.”

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “We got a call at 4.45pm. It was a report of an incident.

“Officers attended and a 45-year-old male was issued with a fixed penalty notice for disorderly conduct.”

More details to follow.

Comments(15)

no1quaker says...
1:23pm Mon 24 Sep 12

it takes two to tango...

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MST1975 says...
2:09pm Mon 24 Sep 12

no1quaker wrote:
it takes two to tango...
Oh how very grown up of you.

Certainly know how to give darlington a good name these so called football supporters

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darlo89 says...
2:30pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Echo jumping on the band wagon as per!

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darloian says...
3:16pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Amos proving once again that a journalist work makes better reading thru assumption than fact, he hasn't a clue what happened but instantly blames Darlo fans. He was a dreadful long winded old **** of a writer with the Echo yet they continue to be his mouthpiece after he has left.

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Skallywagg says...
5:44pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Yes, there was a few who had sunk a little too much ale and were being a nuisence, nothing to be remotely worried about. I witnessed a rather dumpy round Darlo fan trying to get into the bar after the game and the guy on the door simply refused him entry, problem dealt with. When we left the ground there were a group guys waiting outside who took it upon themselves to punch about three Darlo fans on their blind side, after this they scurried up the road and got into a silver car and drove off. The culprits were pointed out and the Police basically took no notice. There are going to be many more days like this when the locals are going to want to earn their badge of honour. Its up the clubs concerned to prempt the problems, after all they are reaping the rewards through the turnstiles.

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Idontknowaboutyoubut says...
5:50pm Mon 24 Sep 12

darloian wrote:
Amos proving once again that a journalist work makes better reading thru assumption than fact, he hasn't a clue what happened but instantly blames Darlo fans. He was a dreadful long winded old **** of a writer with the Echo yet they continue to be his mouthpiece after he has left.
if The Northern Echo is guilty of anything then it's the unwarranted prominence it gives to Darlington FC,whilst ignoring the rest of the non-league clubs,who play in the same league.It's typical of Darlo fans,to round on the newspaper when it reports unsavoury events such as this. The fans should be gratefull to the paper for the support it gives them.

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stiv says...
6:29pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Darlo fans were having a good time enjoying the match but a few local yobs were provoking them. the darlo lad who wgot fined does not give a true picture of what went on. at least 2 darlo fans were laid out through being attacked without warning. the police took the easy option to charge the darlo fans rather than apprehend the real culprits. Mr Amos should bear in mind the fun and cash Darlo are bringing to other league clubs, they are responcible for strewarding. but on our travels there will be small local groups who want a piece of flesh.

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loan_star says...
7:06pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Idontknowaboutyoubut wrote:
darloian wrote:
Amos proving once again that a journalist work makes better reading thru assumption than fact, he hasn't a clue what happened but instantly blames Darlo fans. He was a dreadful long winded old **** of a writer with the Echo yet they continue to be his mouthpiece after he has left.
if The Northern Echo is guilty of anything then it's the unwarranted prominence it gives to Darlington FC,whilst ignoring the rest of the non-league clubs,who play in the same league.It's typical of Darlo fans,to round on the newspaper when it reports unsavoury events such as this. The fans should be gratefull to the paper for the support it gives them.
Count yourself lucky you will get a slice of the extra publicity when we play your team then!!
Be realistic, a club that gets around 1300 for a home game and boosts attendances at away games by several hundred will get more publicity than a team that plays in front of 1 man and his dog.

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superstretch says...
9:48pm Mon 24 Sep 12

So, let me get this right. Local yob gives a Darlo fan a slap and this story gets in the Echo. Across at Hartlepool, the FA launch an investigation in to racist abuse of two visiting players which is picked up in the national press and yet the Echo ignores it?

Strange world we live in.

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bishopman says...
12:29pm Tue 25 Sep 12

I don't actually think the Northern League should investigate the matter - they are certainly setting themselves a precedent if they do. Having said that I think the comments about Mike Amos are unfair. He supported Darlington's admittance to the Northern League when many people were shouting for the Club to start off in lower leagues.
The overwhelming majority of Darlington's supporters are enthusiastic and well behaved and unfortunatley are going to be a target for some yobs who have never set foot in local NL grounds.

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no1quaker says...
3:36pm Tue 25 Sep 12

MST1975 wrote:
no1quaker wrote:
it takes two to tango...
Oh how very grown up of you.

Certainly know how to give darlington a good name these so called football supporters
wot yo on about you twonk?

I was pointing out the fact that the police ONLY fined the Darlington supporter, not condoning the fact they might have been fighting.

and as for growing up, I think it's you who's still in nappies.

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darlo oily says...
8:53pm Tue 25 Sep 12

remind me,

did the northern echo not report on the violent dunston fans vs. west auckland last year.

I know the area,the people and I am not surprised.Look at gazza and you get what I mean(although gazza is the cream )

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Mark - the age of enlightenment says...
12:35pm Wed 26 Sep 12

superstretch wrote:
So, let me get this right. Local yob gives a Darlo fan a slap and this story gets in the Echo. Across at Hartlepool, the FA launch an investigation in to racist abuse of two visiting players which is picked up in the national press and yet the Echo ignores it? Strange world we live in.
Superb post - I couldn't believe you were right that a relatively minor disturbance like this appears to be would be reported and an investigation by the FA into one of the North East's league clubs supporters wasn't, but you are indeed bang on...

For those interested:

"Shrewsbury have revealed that the police and Football Association are to investigate allegations of racist abuse towards two of their players during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Hartlepool.

Marvin Morgan, who scored both the visitors' goals, and Jermaine Grandison were allegedly subjected to racist comments by a section of the home support in the first half at Victoria Park.

A club spokesman said: "We can confirm that Marvin Morgan and Jermaine Grandison were called into the referee's room where discussions took place at half-time on Saturday regarding racial comments directed at the players. The matter is now subject to a police and FA investigation." source the Independent, 24th Sept.

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drainman says...
6:40am Thu 27 Sep 12

Mike Amos is a joker.

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cromwell1599 says...
12:05pm Sat 29 Sep 12

The "racist abuse" episode at Hartlepool would not have been taken any further but for a senior person at Shrewsbury who encouraged the players to make a complaint after seeing his a**e over conceding a late equaliser and having a dispute with the club over some tickets, allegedly.

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