Match 6 Haringey Borough v Yeovil Town

Its been a week since the match, a week in which I've debated whether to even post following the match, that in its own right is such a disappointment. Those of you that are not football fans may have missed it but the game was abandoned in the second half following some absolutely disgraceful scenes from behind the goal where the Yeovil fans were.

We were a long way from that end and in many respects I'm grateful for that, that were a lot of kids around us enjoying the game. Yeovil were awarded a penalty about 15 mins into the second half (rightfully so) and the Yeovil fans went to real lengths to disrupt the keeper, it appeared this had overstepped the mark a little and the ref called for calm, the Haringey keeper was gesticulating to the ref about his treatment when a plastic bottle was thrown onto the pitch, it was hard to tell if it hit anyone although it was confirmed after the game that it had hit the keeper. That on its own would of been a disgrace.

What followed and clearly this is only whats been reported leaves me sick to the stomach. As the kick was taken the crowd alledgedly spat and abused the keeper and then following the ensuing melee at least one of the players was racially abused. What I saw live on the day led me to believe that something as abhorrent as that had occurred - one of the Haringey players was deeply upset, the rage in his face led me to believe he had been abused in a way that went beyond the norm, I think the fact I could see it from 60 odd yards away only cements my thoughts around it. The shame and disgust that I feel that in 2019 this can still be happening is intense. I'm in my 40's it seems to me ridiculous that we are still struggling to wipe racism from our society.

I shared some texts with my wife who confirmed what was being reported and confirmed my worst fears, there were a good number of children there to support there local team. When I came home I said to her I'm glad I don't have to try and explain to JJ what had happened, she very rightly pointed out that was probably the wrong view, as usual she was right. This would and should be the perfect time to point out why racism should never happen in today's society and lay the foundations in our young to ensure this is stamped out once and for all.

There was so much positive that I wanted to write from the game, the club were absolutely fantastic in helping us get tickets the week before the game and I'd like to thank the club secretary for his efforts in ensuring we were able to attend. For once we were there nice and early which meant JJ and I sampled a cheeseburger and chips. I mean I tried, JJ was hungry by the time we got there and the boy that hardly ever eats chips and has never shown any interest in a burger in a bun, eat the majority of it, constantly demanding the burger from my hands.

We were just below the main stand and the bulk of the Haringey singing section they were loud and JJ loved it clapping and laughing throughout the afternoon. The people were lovely, turned out we stood with amongst others some of the players family who had the loveliest little smiling boy, they were a great family club. Of course none of that really matters after what happened.

All I can say is the reaction of the manager Tom Loizou was 1st class, he knows his players well and knew they were distraught. Its well worth finding his interview post game. The stand they took is the right one and for once the FA have got the response right, nobody has lost out, the game is replayed and that's right for all involved. Hopefully the losers should be those that committed the abuse, I also hope that many more clubs follow suit, strikes me as the only way to effect change in the game and in society as a whole is to make it a major talking point.

Finally I wanted to finish with a small piece on our departure, we'd hung around chatting to some of the local fans, because people are often drawn to JJ and his happy outlook so we were one of the last to depart, as we made our way round to the car, 2 coachloads of Yeovil fans were waiting for a police escort (I assume the official supporters club transport). They looked equally upset at what had happened. What I would say is the abuse came from a minority, the majority of their fans stuck around and joined the warm applause when the players came out together in solidarity. That's the picture you see at the top and that should be what we all take from it, if we stand together we can make a difference.

So the replay is on Tuesday, night games are difficult with JJ and his meds, but I will endeavour to get down on Tuesday and hope the night goes well for both clubs. They both deserve that.