Rugby fans' fury following clash at The Gnoll during Celtic Crusaders vs Castleford
RUGBY supporters have spoken out in anger after they say fighting sparked ugly scenes at The Gnoll.
Police had to be called to the venue following claims of problems in the crowd and clubhouse during the Celtic Crusaders versus Castleford match. Witnesses said there were fights and women urinating in the street.
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A spokesman for The Gnoll played down the problems and police said they made no arrests, although one person was ordered to leave the area.
But witnesses said they were shocked at what they claimed took place.
One, Phil Evans, of Mary Street, Melyn, Neath, told the Post: “Last Sunday I saw scenes during the match that I never want to see at The Gnoll again.”
The Crusaders secured their fifth victory of the season but supporters said the result was marred by the trouble.
“I have been a Neath supporter for more years than I care to remember and in all those years I have never seen any trouble at The Gnoll, let alone in the clubhouse,” added Mr Evans.
“There is no trouble ever from the soccer boys who now use our ground and facilities.”
Referring to those involved in the trouble at the weekend, he added: “Does Neath really want to be involved with this riff-raff? I hope not!”
Another witness, Mrs J Jones, of Hillside, also condemned what she saw at the match.
She also spoke out about fighting in the crowd.
She said: “There was fighting in the crowd, further fighting in the clubhouse, and women urinating outside the police station.
“Do the people of Neath need or deserve this type of behaviour?” she asked.
However, Colin Tomlinson of The Gnoll clubhouse said he was surprised to hear the Post had been contacted about reports of fighting.
“On the ground there were a couple of issues with a couple of the Castleford people but the police came and had a couple of words and that was it,” said Mr Tomlinson.
He added: “There was nothing in the clubhouse and there was a good atmosphere in there.”
A police spokesman confirmed they were called to the match but said no arrests were made. “Officers were called to The Gnoll on Sunday evening during the match following reports of an intoxicated Castleford supporter causing problems and refusing to leave the ground,” he said.
The spokesman added: “He was issued with a Section 27 notice which required him to leave the area.”
10 Comments
by Ginger Mike, Wrexham
Saturday, July 31 2010, 12:20AM
“Kev Neath,
Can I just say thanks to you and the other stewards behind the goals at the Gnoll for Sunday, and for your comments here. It was well marshalled and the guys never let anything get out of control.
An article Joe Goebels would be proud of with absolutely no basis in fact.”
by alex evans, Neath
Friday, July 30 2010, 8:25PM
“I was at the game and lets say it was very different!
Not something I would consider taking my kids or wise to even if it was free entry.
It depends on everyone's personal standards I suppose.”
by Kev, Neath
Friday, July 30 2010, 8:13PM
“Well Blind??, Swansea. Talking to the spectators is a great way to make sure that things do not get out of hand, but I certainly do not spend the whole game "gabbing" but I am watching the crowd. You do not mention if you attended the event. If you saw fighting then why did you not report it? Because it was not seen by any of the Stewarding staff and not reported by any spectator. As for the "what you don't see comment" I do not think you know what you are talking about and are content to hide behind your "Blind?? personae. I doubt you attended the game and therefore question your rite to comment!”
by Ginger Mike, Wrexham
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:02PM
“Absolute balderdash. I was there as a Crusaders fan in with the Cas fans. It was lively, but I was one of only seven Crus fans in with the Cas fans in the first half.
The "fights" are a figment in someone's over active imagination.
Must be a very slow news day in South Wales, and time for a bit of Union propaganda and League bashing. I love the never any trouble at the Gnoll comment. -- Neath vs Swansea anyone ?
PS I think you'll find the Crus have won more than five games this year. Try adding up the number of points for a win and dividing into their current total. Get it right please.”
by Ginger Mike, Wrexham
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:01PM
“Absolute balderdash. I was there as a Crusaders fan in with the Cas fans. It was lively, but I was one of only seven Crus fans in with the Cas fans in the first half.
The "fights" are a figment in someone's over active imagination.
Must be a very slow news day in South Wales, and time for a bit of Union propaganda and League bashing. I love the never any trouble at the Gnoll comment. -- Neath vs Swansea anyone ?
PS I think you'll find the Crus have won more than five games this year. Try adding up the number of points for a win and dividing into their current total. Get it right please.”
by Andrew, Swansea
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:59PM
“It seems like this is a made-up story on a slow news day.”
by Tony Wyn-Jones, Neath
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:51PM
“Well Said Kev of Neath”
by Ray, Swansea
Friday, July 30 2010, 3:53PM
“I was at the game as a spectator and had a great day. There was no fighting in the ground at all and I saw nothing but good natured banter in the clubhouse. The atmosphere was great before, during and after the game. As for women urinating outside the police station I can't comment. However, I suggest Mr Evans and Mrs Jones take a stroll through Neath on a Saturday night before they talk comment on the sort of behaviour Neath deserves”
by Blind??, Swasnea
Friday, July 30 2010, 3:15PM
“Well Kev, if you spent more time watching whats going on in the place and less time gabbing to the spectators then you might have seen the fighting. Mind you I suppose what you dont see you dont have to deal with.”
by Kev, Neath
Friday, July 30 2010, 10:35AM
“I do not know where this story originated but it has been blown out of all proportion. There was NO fighting in the ground or the clubhouse. The Police were called to remove a Castleford supporter who refused to leave the ground when instructed by the stewards. He was spoken to and left with friends. He was NOT arrested. I do not know what Mrs Jones is talking about as I was there and stewarding the match. I spent most of the game with both Castleford and Crusader supporters and can honestly say that the reports of fighting are definately incorrect. Reports such as this damage both the sport involved and the venue. We have both codes of Rugby at the Gnoll and Welsh Premier football and in the 6 years I have been involved with the ground we have not experienced any problems.”