Felixstowe & Walton United FC

Seasiders release statement regarding anti-social behaviour.

Sadly, the football club has to report incidents of anti-social behaviour during and after last nights home match with AFC Sudbury.

Visiting supporters were subjected to abuse by a small number of youths in the Colneis Road end stand, which continued after the game in the car park with reports of damage to a vehicle. The police are involved with the incident, and a similar report following the Bury fixture.

Former Chairman, and current Director & Facilities Manager Chris Daynes has issued the following statement on behalf of the Football Club Board of Directors and Committee.

"Firstly, I want to thank the vast majority of last nights crowd for their support of both teams. Two top clubs in Suffolk playing football the right way, with great backing on a night that had many other competing attractions such as Valentines, Champions League football on TV, Ipswich Town on i-follow etc.

Sadly, a small element of youths have shamed themselves and our club by their mindless actions. We, like many clubs, encourage young supporters to games with low entry prices to back the team and become the future generation of fans. Unfortunately, a few take the opportunity for a cheap night out to cause trouble, tarnishing not only the good name of our club, but also the vast majority of youths who support the club in the correct way.

The Football Club will be using images taken of the perpetrators to identity the culprits, in conjunction with the police and local schools, and they will receive ground bans.

This is by no means just a 'Felixstowe & Walton United' problem. It is a problem with society and you will see elements of anti-social behaviour involving groups of youths on many high streets and other public places. The issue is present at many football league grounds and seems to be filtering into non-league grounds. We have witnessed multiple incidents of similar behaviour on our travels around the Isthmian League this season. Not many clubs are immune to these issues. 

We must all come together to eradicate this behaviour. Non League football is different, a place to come together with the family, security at a minimum, mixing with opposition fans and players in the bar and around the ground in safety. There is NO PLACE in non league football for those intent on causing trouble. We are a club that prides itself on its community ethos and reputation throughout Suffolk and further afield and all appropriate action will be taken.

We also urge those witnessing incidents at future matches to report the issues as soon as possible to enable action to be taken at the time.

Our sincerest apologies to any supporters and officials from AFC Sudbury who were affected by the actions of these idiots, and also to any home supporters who may have been caught up in the incidents.

Finally, a message to those intent on causing trouble. Stay away! You are not welcome at our club, we will take all measures to protect our supporters, visitors and officials from your anti-social behaviour."

Chris Daynes

on behalf of Felixstowe & Walton United FC.