Spectator runs onto pitch to confront player in Moneyfields v Fareham Town Wessex League game

By Simon Carter
Published 27th Feb 2022, 12:35 BST
A Fareham Town spectator comes on the pitch to confront Moneyfields defender Tom Cain. Picture by Dave Boydmore.A Fareham Town spectator comes on the pitch to confront Moneyfields defender Tom Cain. Picture by Dave Boydmore.
A Fareham Town spectator comes on the pitch to confront Moneyfields defender Tom Cain. Picture by Dave Boydmore.
A non-league football game in Portsmouth was briefly held up when a visiting supporter ran onto the pitch to confront a player.

Photos show the spectator squaring up to Moneyfields defender Tom Cain during the second half of the Wessex League Premier Division game in Copnor.

The spectator had jumped over the safety railing that runs the length of the clubhouse side of the ground.

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A second spectator also came onto the pitch, to try and diffuse the situation, which was quickly over.

A second Fareham Town spectator encroaches onto the pitch before Moneyfields players attempt to push him back. Picture: Dave Bodymore.A second Fareham Town spectator encroaches onto the pitch before Moneyfields players attempt to push him back. Picture: Dave Bodymore.
A second Fareham Town spectator encroaches onto the pitch before Moneyfields players attempt to push him back. Picture: Dave Bodymore.

Referee James Byng asked for both spectators to be ejected from the ground, and stewards escorted them out.

Fareham say the matter will be dealt with internally and Moneyfields are hoping they escape any FA fines.

Moneyfields chairman Pete Seiden said: ‘It all happened so quickly.

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‘There was some handbags between two players, a spectator evaded a steward and jumped onto the pitch.

A Fareham Town spectator confronts Moneyfields' Tom Cain. Picture: Dave Bodymore.A Fareham Town spectator confronts Moneyfields' Tom Cain. Picture: Dave Bodymore.
A Fareham Town spectator confronts Moneyfields' Tom Cain. Picture: Dave Bodymore.

‘It was dealt with very quickly. The spectators were asked to leave the ground, and they left the ground.’

Seiden said the club had its usual 20 unpaid volunteer stewards at Dover Road for the game.

‘They all do different roles and then during the game are positioned around the ground.’

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Asked if he thought Moneyfields would be fined as a result of spectators encroaching onto the pitch during a game, he replied: ‘I would hope not.

‘We did all we could to get everything sorted quickly.’

Moneyfields secretary Joe Albertella added: ‘It’s the first time I’ve known anything like this happen.

‘We had the same amount of stewards for games where we’ve had crowds 500, 300, 200, and not had anything like that.

‘Fareham have said they will deal with the matter internally.’

Fareham Town secretary James Craskell was unavailable for comment, while first team manager Pete Stiles declined to comment.

Related topics:MoneyfieldsPete SeidenPortsmouthTom Cain