The Club was recently called in by the Hants FA to answer a charge of 'An Alton Town Supporter abusing a match referee'.
The alleged incident was that such a supporter verbally abused the referee when he was leaving the pitch at the end of a match.
I attended the hearing, gave evidence, questioned the match officials and the verdict was 'not proven'. Our argument being that such a person could have been a supporter of the opposition or, indeed, a neutral who had not been impressed by the referee's performance.
The experience does, however, serve as a reminder that the Club is responsible for the behaviour of its supporters both at home and away. Indeed we enjoy normal banter at a match and no harm in that - but we should be careful not to overstep the mark in the heat of the moment.
I also wondered how it is that some clubs aren't reported for this sort of offence every week? Those clubs who have a group of supporters who always gather behind the visitor's goal and who certainly don't exclude the match officials from their exuberant repertoire!
Cheers
Mr. Chairman
