The club yesterday pleaded guilty to a misconduct charge from West Riding County FA. The charge relates to “supporters” conduct during our recent game at home to Penistone Church.
Whilst we believe that as soon as asked by the match official the problem supporters were moved, there is no disputing the facts that the Penistone Church goalkeeper was subjected to a totally unacceptable level of abuse from supposed Garforth fans. As a club we apologise unreservedly to Penistone Church and Christopher Snaith.
You will have noticed some more visible volunteers at the latest home game, this comes at a further cost to the club. Coupled with the financial fine we expect to receive from the County FA these supposed supporters are actually taking money from the club that can scarcely be afforded. This money is taken from vital cost centres such as player budgets, ground improvements etc.
Garforth Town and its directors, prides itself on being a club that is open to all. This behaviour from a minority of so called fans, will not be tolerated. Unfortunately this issue seems to be from our youth fans and as we’ve seen in recent days is not unique to Garforth. Non-League football is amongst many things about friendly rivalry, all the teams are within close proximity to each other and there is no place for this behaviour in football.
We encourage any true fan to report any behaviour to a member of the stadium staff and we will deal with it appropriately. It will not be tolerated and we reserve the right to take all and any measures to ensure people of any age caught behaving in an inappropriate manner will be removed from the ground and banned. We will continue to monitor the situation and hope further restrictions are not necessary.
To the vast majority of our true fans, thank you - without you we are nothing. Up the miners!
The club will make no further comment.