A GOALKEEPER was spat at and pelted with plastic bottles by a group of Darlington fans on Saturday as the team took on AFC Fylde.

A gang of about a dozen away supporters invaded the pitch at one point and Fylde goalkeeper Rhys Taylor complained afterwards those Quakers fans spat at him, while they consistently pelted the back of the goal with plastic bottles and plastic beer glasses throughout the match.

Darlington FC has strongly condemned the behaviour of those fans involved, and appealed for information. No arrests were made. In a statement on its website, the club said: “Darlington Football Club would like to make it very clear that we condemn the actions of a small group of supporters who caused problems behind the goal and interruptions in play during today’s game at AFC Fylde.

“The club has issued advice about the responsibility of supporters, both home and away, throughout the season on the official website and in the matchday programme, and we encourage any Darlington supporters who might have witnessed the incidents today or identify the perpetrators to pass on any information to the club to help us in our investigations."

Inspector Steve Bradshaw, of Lancashire Police, said: “Police came in and dealt with a small group in the away stand and then more police just to enforce the segregation.”

He said the incident was a small group who threw beer at stewards and “were intent on causing a problem”.

“The referee stopped the game for a short amount of time, ten seconds or so, and stewards and police sorted it out,” he said.

He said two away coaches were given an escort out of the town following the match, and that there had been no arrests.

Those causing trouble are believed to be a stand alone group who cause problems at big away games.

In Salford two years ago they spat at officials and tried to pull a linesman’s shorts down, and in Harrogate in October flares were thrown.

  • Anyone with information about the unruly fans should email dave.watson@darlingtonfc.org in confidence.