Swindon boss Ian Holloway was left fuming following an incident in his side’s defeat to Walsall that saw a supporter throw an object in the direction of an opposition player
Ian Holloway has vowed to hunt down the Swindon fan who threw a chair at Walsall’s goalkeeper in their opening match of the League Two season. The Robins fell to a 2-1 defeat after Connor Barret scored a 91st-minute winner despite the Saddlers only having 10 men on the field.
The closing stages of the game at Bescot Stadium saw shot-stopper Myles Roberts go down with a calf issue. And in response to that, an object was thrown from the crowd towards the downed keeper.
Goalscorer Barrett handed the object to the referee and now an investigation will be conducted by both teams into a number of incidents which occurred.
Swindon boss Holloway was incredulous following the incident and appeared to suggest it was part of the stadium’s seating that was thrown in Roberts’ direction. The ex-Blackpool and QPR boss called upon those around the perpetrator to come forward as he aims to hunt down the aggressor.
“I am a human being who loves this game but I also love other human beings,” said Holloway. “I am here to represent my wonderful football club in a way that is courteous in defeat – tenacious as well, I want to fight for things, but you don’t rip out a seat and throw it at someone.
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“I wouldn’t want Walsall thinking that about all of us, so anyone stood next to them, I want them dobbed in because that’s not right.
“These people creep into football and no one does anything about it. I am standing up for Swindon Town, a magnificent club and we don’t want anything to do with this.
“Whoever you are, you should be ashamed of yourself. I am going to hunt you down and find you.”
Holloway added that he was disgusted his side’s supporters had acted in such a manner. The veteran manager wants to see the person banned if they are identified.
“Well done to them (Walsall) I thought their crowd was great. Disgusted with our crowd throwing something on the pitch.
“Who the hell do you think you are? You represent us and you represent me – how dare you do that. That’s absolutely disgusting, so I hope whoever that was gets banned.”
Swindon noted they were aware of a ‘number of serious incidents’ during the game. That included ‘the use of pyrotechnics, objects being thrown, abuse directed at stewards, staff, players and match officials, as well as damage caused to property within the stadium’.
“This behaviour has absolutely no place at our football club or in the wider game,” the Robins said. “Let us be clear: any individuals found to have engaged in such actions will face the strictest possible sanctions, including banning orders and legal action where appropriate.”
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