The Observer Article

[Palomino]

Before I start I would ask rob or webbo not to delete this post. It is all over the local press now and censorship really is no longer an issue.

 

 

"Saints Players and fans in brawl at club bar"

 

Brawl would indicate there were two parties. My understanding is that two supporters, innocent by-passers, were punched several times by two players - Rob Smith and Derek Brown.

 

The article does not mention the players by name, but there is not a person using these boards who is unaware who the two accused are.

 

 

"Gibson described the incident as "handbags at 50 paces.""

 

Hardly. As previoulsy mentioned the two supporters were punched, very deliberately, in the face.

 

 

"a fan who had earlier had an argument with a player"

 

Again, it takes two to make an argument. We all read the comments thornsy left on this board last week, and we were all witness on Thursday when Thornsy left a message claiming Derek Brown had emailed him and threatened him. I will find the message shortly assuming it has not now mysteriously 'disappeared'.

 

My understanding is that there was no argument. In fact Derek Brown was shouting obscenities (example: "you're a f**king c**t" at Thornsy across a bar crowded with families.

 

Just to remind you - this is our club captain.

 

 

"the supporter left with a friend carrying bottles in their back pocket when the player was preparing to leave" claims Mr Gibson.

 

The player in question (Brown) was actually in talks with a director of the club at the time, and Thornsy, somewhat worried about what this lunatic was capable of, considered it a sensible and safe opportunnity to leave the bar.

 

 

Once again John Gibson has totally failed to deal with a situation at the club, instead using efm as a scapegoat.

 

Those players should have been fired on Monday morning and a statement issued to the supporters of the club.

 

The first supporter who was punched has received an apology by telephone from Rob Smith - an admission of guilt on Smith's part I'd have thought.

 

The other supporter is still waiting for his from our club captain.

 

This was a ONE-SIDED attack on two innocent fans. Derek Brown took exception to Thornsy's comments on here about his current form and two other fans were assaulted because of it.

 

Neither player must play for SACFC again.

[Palomino]

Quote:

Although I wasn't there last night from comments and my viewing of recent games I'd say this!

1. We need a new defence - Campbell is a shadow of the player he was, get rid of him. Derek Brown is toilet, I've never known somebody manage to last so long at a club on previous reputations, he was good for about 4 months before our suspension and his traitorous switch to Bedford. When he returned and broke up the rather good partnership of Campbell and Townley it was no coincidence that we became crap then as well. This season he doesn't want to be here, he will go in the summer and is playing like this, not the sort of attitude i'd expect from a club captain.

2. We need a new midfield - Castle, Wraight and Thomas is possible the worst midfeild I've ever seen at the club. Cockram, Duffield, King and Brett would be turning in thier graves (if they were dead)

3. The attack isn't too bad, just let down by the rest.

4. That keeper looks well dodgy to me, why not give Jackman a chance for a few games - he is a international you know!

5. The manager - well no comment needed, does anyone actually know if the players like him, and what goods a UEFA A badge if you can't motivate.

This is pasted from another thread which was posted by EFM The firm the voice.

It was the section i have put in bold which upset derek Brown.

An opinion which prompted him to verbally assault thornsy in the bar and then physically assault the hooded man at the bottom of the clubhouse stairs.

Are we no longer allowed an opinion because Gibson was talking on Satudray about banning thornsy for starting all of this.

[Laz]

That is an accurate account.

 

However, I can add to this.

 

Gibson called me Sunday morning.

 

I said Smith should be sacked. There should be no question about this. This was agreed by Gibson, or so I thought.

 

The Gibson (I assume) game Smith my number and he called me. He was very apologetic but claimed I had tried to elbow him in the face and that we had chased after Brown with bottles.

 

Neither are true.

 

Myself and the two others left as Brown was talking to "the director or the club".

 

Brown chased after followed by Smith.

 

Smith attacked me viciously and had to restrained, and I'm told was in a bit of state.

 

Brown kick and punched one of those leaving.

 

Anyway, Gibson called me again. No mention of sackings. He was very apologetic. But there was no suggestion either player would be sacked.

 

I dropped the charges with the Police later that day.

 

Gibson should be accountable for this attrocity now. I will be writing to various bodies to make them aware of what has happened.

 

As I said: if you strike a paying customer, you should be sacked.

[Laz]

I hear Mr Brown is going to Cambridge City next year.

[Palomino]

Earlier this season Mr Gibson said that "if the players has any shred of decency, they would rip up their contracts and walk away" or words to that effect.

 

EFMTFTV makes a similar comment on here and is threatened by a player by email and in the bar, and two other fans are assaulted.

 

And Mr Gibson puts the blame on EFMTFTV. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

 

So how does that work?

[Rob_the_Saint]

So am I, but only to visit me old Mum <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 

Sorry, but I've got bored with this story now. Surely no worse than what happens every Friday and Saturday night in every High Street in the country and hardly worthy of newspaper column inches (imo).

[Palomino]

You condone it then, Rob?

 

What if you were a customer at Sainsbury's (for example) and were punched in the face three times by the bloke on the check-out?

 

Would he still have a job?

 

Would you be shocked and think it not worthy of column inches?

 

Make no mistake. This was an unprovoked attack and i'm still not sure why Rob Smith got involved.

 

Don't be like the others in trying to sweep it under the carpet, Rob.

[Carrot Cruncher]

Quote: "Sorry, but I've got bored with this story now."

 

The paper hits the streets at 7am and by 11 Rob's on the cover up - shocking!

[Laz]

I'm sure if they were attacked it would be a different matter. And I for one would support them on it.

[Rob_the_Saint]

I'm not supporting, or condoning, or covering up, or whatever else anybory is accusing me of, all I am saying is it should have been sorted out at the time, or over the weekend, in private, and not publicly aired on here and in the papers.

 

All this has done is publicly harm 'the club' over an incident between a few individuals, further stoked up by michief-makers who no doubt have some ulterior motive for causing embarrassment.

 

That's it, that is positively me last word on the matter, you're all to blame........ expect me <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Laz]

Good point, Rob: this could have been cleared up, but now it's getting worse. The article shows two conflicting versions of the story, which has angered supporters who know what actually happened. I don't think we've heard the last of it.

[Carrot Cruncher]

Rob, the ONLY people who have caused ANY harm are those that swung their fists - think about it!

[Pretty Vacant]

As someone who is not connected with the Saints, and therefore may be seen to have an impartial view, I thought I'd throw my comments in for what it was worth.

 

If the roles were reversed and 'supporters' attacked 'players', wouldn't all and sundry be calling for them to be banned.

 

Shouldn't the same happen here, or is it now open season on supporters?

 

Finally, Mr Carrot Cruncher, has my mate Metal Mickey Engwell got his boots out following Robo-mans reported appointment at Braintree?

[Zagreus]

Yes, if the boot was on the other foot ..... or should I say if the boot was in the others face, then it'd be a different kettle of fish - certainly!

 

Zag

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Quote:

Laz EFM said:

The Gibson (I assume) game Smith my number and he called me. He was very apologetic but claimed I had tried to elbow him in the face and that we had chased after Brown with bottles.

So Brown was chasing after me and the two supporters were behind Brown (one with a bottle).
So it would of been fine if Brown had caught up with me and gave me a pasting then?
This poses another question - Do we condone the city captian chasing after supporters for a punch up?

[Laz]

Lets make it clear, any bottles were not on show and contained beer for consumption on the way to the Crown.

 

I noticed Gibbo saw one in Tom's pocket outside. I think he has concocted this part of the story to cover his own back.

 

After all, we were leaving before Brown and Smith charged after. Who were we going to bottle, the squirrels in the park?

[Webbo MFI]

I'm sure there is a sign saying "No glasses or bottles beyond this point" at the door of the clubhouse...

[Laz]

It says no glasses and has a picture of a glass to stop it being ambiguous and therefore causing distress to those who wear specticles.

 

I'll show it to you next time you bother to come to a game.

[Webbo MFI]

Not sure I will be bothering - might get my head kicked in!

[Laz]

Not by any of the fans I can assure you.

 

I can't speak for the players though.