THE boss of Colchester United has blasted the “mindless thugs” who “sunk to a new low” during a chaotic cup clash against an old rival.
Robbie Cowling, who is the owner and chairman of the Us, has addressed a shocking incident which has tainted the club’s historic win against Ipswich Town on Tuesday.
During the tense tie at Portman Road, which attracted 1,400 travelling supporters, families were struck by chairs during mindless acts of hooliganism.
Flares were also launched onto the hallowed turf causing brief pauses in play as the U’s claimed a 1-0 victory over their East Anglian neighbours in the Carabao Cup.
READ MORE: Colchester United fans injure children in Ipswich Town game
Mr Cowling, who has been left appalled by the behaviour of a minority of the team’s fans, has now issued a lengthy statement condemning their actions.
He said: "Last night was the first time that Colchester United have beaten Ipswich Town in a competitive game at Portman Road since we won there in 1951. That’s before even I was born and I’m ancient, so there won’t be many fans that witnessed both victories.
"The management of the team included club legends Wayne Brown and Joe Dunne, and four players that have come through the ranks of our youth academy started the game, with a further two coming on as subs to help us see out the win.
"Today should be a day when all Colchester United fans feel nothing but pride in their club.
"Sadly, we are having to hang our head in shame today thanks to a group of fans in the Colchester United end that have embarrassed our club with their mindless violent behaviour.
"It wasn’t enough for them to spoil the occasion for everyone else by being ultra-abusive.
"They also sunk to a new low that I have not witnessed in my time at the club, whereby they destroyed some of the seating in the area Ipswich had allocated to our fans and threw the broken parts into the rows below them that were occupied by other Colchester United fans.
"These areas included families with very young children but that was of no concern for the mindless thugs that have shamed the club they claim to support.
"A number of Colchester United fans had to receive treatment for the injuries they sustained from the broken chairs that rained down on them. Some whilst they cowered to protect their young children.
"Although we were competing against Ipswich Town last night, I can assure everyone that the two clubs will be working closely together to identify those responsible to the police and to assist in any way we can to ensure they are punished in full for their unacceptable behaviour.
"I wish to apologise to everyone that was subjected to this appalling behaviour, and also to our hosts Ipswich Town who were gracious in defeat but rightfully upset with the behaviour of fans in our allocated area.
"We all hope that victories like last night’s historic win at Portman Road happen much more frequently than every seventy-one years, but I’m sure most Colchester United fans will never again want to be associated with last night’s appalling thugs.
"Therefore, if you can do anything to help us identify those involved so that we can distance them from our club, please do so."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here