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Beautiful game turns ugly with 20-man brawl

Rob Dawson
3/ 9/2008

WOODLEY Sports has insisted their players will behave professionally during the FA Cup replay against Brodsworth tonight (Wednesday) - after the first game ended in a 20-man brawl.

Extra police and stewards have been drafted in to make sure there is no repeat of the ugly scenes which marred the goalless FA Cup first preliminary round match between Woodley Sports and Brodsworth Miners Welfare FC, played on Saturday.

The brawl - which left one Brodsworth player needing treatment from paramedics - broke out in the changing rooms after the game, when Woodley claim they were the victims of verbal abuse.

Police had to be called to restore order, and were also forced to escort the Brodsworth team coach away from the car park and onto the main road after the the game.

Officials from Brodsworth Miners Welfare were unavailable for comment but the following statement was posted on the club’s website:

"With the game over, the Brodsworth team remained on the field of play to have a ten-minute warm down.

"When the players then entered the dressing room area two of the Brodsworth players were immediately assaulted.

"Within seconds it was mayhem. A Brodsworth committee member called the police to restore order and a complaint has been registered with them over the assaults to the players."

Woodley boss Ally Pickering declined to comment on the incident but said his team would still travel to Brodsworth for the replay - due to take place this evening.

He said: "I’ve spoken to the FA and the game has to carry on.

"I have been told there will be a police presence, as well as stewards.

"A few of my players are a bit worried about going up there but we have just got to carry on."

Woodley Secretary Rod Haslam added: "We are going to be professional and play the game.

"We are going to go up there, play, and get home as soon as possible.

"I have asked for reassurances from the Brodsworth club secretary and I have been told that Yorkshire Police will be in attendance and that the club are also bringing in stewards from Doncaster Rovers."

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