Watson dismayed

Last updated : 11 June 2002 By Tony Scholes

Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis more concerned at the financial implications
Incredibly Nottingham Forest have agreed with the decision to single their supporters out for banning, I just wonder what those Forest fans really think about those responsible for running their club.

In a statement that seems to ignore the fact that they have been singled out Forest Chief Executive Mark Arthur said,

"We were very concerned after witnessing the events at Millwall last season and we are grateful that the authorities have taken this decision out of our hands.

"We know that many Forest supporters will be disappointed by the decision to prevent them going to Millwall but we are sure they will understand that safety must come first."

Not so happy though are fellow East Midlands club Leicester and their Chief Executive Steve Kind intends finding out just why his club is in that group of six. He told his own club's web site,

"I was very surprised by the news that we would not be able to take our own supporters to Millwall this season. We were not aware that such a ban was going to be made.

"Our supporters try and come to every match and it is obviously disappointing that this ban has come before the start of the campaign. They have a very good previous record and it is unclear how we got ourselves onto the Category 'C' list.

"I will be seeking clarification on how they arrived at such a decision before we make a proper statement. But obviously it's not ideal."

Portsmouth Chief Executive Peter Storrie says his club don't intend stopping Millwall fans travelling to Fratton Park suggesting that two wrongs don't make a right. He is not happy though at Portsmouth fans being prevented from going to the New Den.

"We are extremely sorry for our multitude of law abiding supporters who travel to all the away games.

"They will be listened to because they are important but any case we made would probably have to go through The Police Authority rather than Millwall.

"Unfortunately some decision had to be made over the trouble they have had there and it can't have been too easy for anyone who has to make these tough kind of decisions."

Newly promoted Stoke are also on the banned list and their Chief Executive Jonathan Fuller said,

"The outcome of this is unfortunate as many well behaved visiting supporters will be denied the opportunity of supporting their teams."

"Regarding the fixtures between the two sides at the Britannia Stadium, the club, in conjunction with Staffordshire Police, will discuss security arrangements at our regular closed season meeting, where we look ahead to all fixtures for the upcoming season."

Wolves' secretary Richard Skirrow was not quite so supportive of his own supporters and speaking on his own club's site said,

"Whilst we understand that this will come as a disappointment to many fans, we hope that they will understand the need to help Millwall, and the game as a whole, to overcome the threat of violence.

"Most of us were appalled by the scenes on television after the play-off game and although this may seem extreme, it will hopefully go some way towards solving the problem."

That leaves one club, our own, and Chief Executive Andrew Watson has spoken on the subject. This afternoon Andrew had the following to say,

"It was a big shock. We don't expect Burnley fans to be put into that sort of category. We've got 400 supporters in London, they always travel to Turf Moor, so a London game is a Godsend.

"We have also got fans who haven't missed a game for 30 years, and it's hard on them too."

In an incredible interview Millwall's chairman Theo Paphitis has said that most of the actions taken were on the recommendation of Millwall supporters but continued to bleat about how much money it would cost them.

He then added that the it was important to take action to allow football to continue at Millwall with supporters in the ground and said that despite the loss of money at least Millwall FC are giving people the option to go to the games there.

Then he said that there were only six games with away fans banned but if there was more trouble that would increase. So basically Paphitis is saying that the more trouble from the Millwall fans will result in more supporters of other clubs being banned.

I find it disgraceful that Burnley supporters have, along with supporters of five other clubs, been singled out. I personally have attended many games at both the old and new Millwall grounds, going back over 30 years, and never caused any trouble. Yet I find myself banned from the stadium.

Andrew Watson's support today is welcome and I would hope now that he, the directors and staff at Burnley Football Club stand by the supporters and all give our game at the New Den a miss. I think we should go there with just those staff required, the players and Stan and his staff.