Children in tears at Macclesfield match

A tirade of verbal abuse aimed at staff and volunteers at Macclesfield FC’s match on Saturday resulted in their children leaving the ground in tears.

A group of drunken ‘fans’ got onto the field, during last Saturday’s match with Charnock Richard FC and threw “mindless abuse” at workers.

Owner Robert Smethurst and Robbie Savage are asking those responsible to turn themselves in and face the consequences.

A statement posted on Facebook said: “Further to this afternoon’s NWCFL Premier Division fixture at Charnock Richard, we have been appalled and horrified at reports that several of our staff members and volunteers were verbally abused by a small section of our fanbase.

“Irrespective of what happens on the field of play, this behaviour can not and will not be tolerated.

“To hear that hard-working volunteers were abused to the extent that their young children left the ground in tears really does epitomise some of the mindless abuse these individuals think that they can get away with.

“Staff who work every hour of the day were mindlessly confronted in an abusive and aggressive manner.

“Also, fans who just wanted to support the team have today become victims of this pathetic wave of harassment.

“This stops and it stops now.”

The club said they have video footage of drunk football hooligans entering the field, which could have grave consequences for the club.

They are asking the perpetrators to get in contact with the club and confess, to visit the club today (January 23) between 12pm and 2pm to “explain their actions to senior members of the Club and members of our loyal fanbase”.

Otherwise, they will be dealt with “swiftly and appropriately”.

The statement continued: “Video evidence also shows seemingly intoxicated individuals entering the field of play and we don’t need to tell you that this could have grave consequences for our Club as a whole.

“In short, despite the fact that the vast majority of fans got behind the lads incredibly and played a massive part in arguably one of our best away performances of the season, we have been let down yet again by people who have no place within our Football Club.

“We know who the main perpetrators are, as video evidence has highlighted this very clearly – so we are inviting all those who took part in this shameful behaviour to come into the Club between 12pm – 2pm tomorrow to explain their actions to senior members of the Club and members of our loyal fanbase.

“Should these individuals not make contact with the Club, then we will deal with them swiftly and appropriately.”

Prior to the match, the club had issued a statement relating to past behaviour from fans.

It said: “Despite the vast majority of supporters being a true credit to the Club, we have been let down by a small number of fans over recent weeks and need to stamp out behaviours that threaten to harm us all.

“In particular, the throwing of missiles from the crowd towards opposition players is something that is quite rightly abhorred by us all.

“This is totally unacceptable at any level of football and will lead to fines, our fans excluded from games and even points deductions should it continue.

“Not only that, this behaviour could cause injury to players and result in criminal charges against the perpetrators.

“Macclesfield FC would like to be very clear in stating that the vast majority of fans are providing wonderful vocal support to the team and this will not be jeopardised by those intent on causing disturbances.

“Anyone found to be guilty of any offence that harms the Club in any way will be identified and banned from our games with immediate effect.”

Evidently, the warning did nothing to deter a number of mindless hooligans from atrocious behaviour.