NEWCASTLE United today branded the actions of fans who ruined amateur games in Wigan as “unacceptable” - and urged witnesses to ‘shop’ the culprits to the police.
Hundreds of Magpies supporters have been accused of shaming the club before Sunday’s match at Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium.
After getting off coaches near the away end, they ruined amateur matches being played nearby by running on pitches, dropping their trousers, ripping out nets and trying to break goals by hanging on the crossbars.
They later boasted about the trouble they caused - including stealing a £65 match ball - on social networking sites.
Today a club spokesman responded to reports by issuign a statement.
It said: “Newcastle United are very disappointed with the behaviour of a minority of its fans who were involved in the vandalism of equipment belonging to Wigan Cosmos Football Club and pitch incursions during their game against AFC Leigh Centurions on 17 March, which caused the match to be stopped.
“Our travelling fans have a very good reputation, but the actions of a minority on this occasion were wholly unacceptable.
“Football, at all levels of the game, deserves the same degree of respect, whether it is played in the Premier League or at the grassroots level.
“We were sorry to learn that this South Lancashire Counties Premier Division game was disrupted in this manner, and we would urge anyone who witnessed this incident to contact Greater Manchester Police.
“The club will be contacting Wigan Cosmos to arrange to reimburse them for the damage.”
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