A Grim day for football

With a rare Saturday off, I decided to progress with my ambition to "do the 92" (attend all Football League & Premier League grounds - I'm currently on 80-odd).

My destination was the Pirelli Stadium for Burton Albion v Grimsby Town, a match that the visitors needed to win to maintain their 99-year Football League status.

I was told that although tickets would be available on the day, security would be tight and you needed identification of a Burton Albion association. Armed with my Premier League & Football League press accreditation, I thought that would be suitable back up to help me out if necessary.

But what happened? I turned up at the turnstile about 2pm, paid my money and walked in. Easy as that.

It was no surprise therefore to see Grimsby fans dotted all the way around the entire ground. Although a large number of these were keen only to ensure the best possible atmosphere, sadly a fair percentage were seemingly there exclusively for trouble.

First, when Greg Pearson had given Burton the lead somewhat against the run of play, one Grimsby "fan" ran on to the pitch and pushed his own keeper Nick Colgan. There were similar attempts from visitors from the away end to encroach during the rest of the half especially after Shaun Harrad's scrappy second which sealed the Mariners' fate.

The second half was even worse. Harrad scored a wonder third from a free kick. He ran to what he thought was his own fans and slid on his knees. One Grimsby fan ran on and attempted to belt him, prompting an incident between Burton players and a Grimsby contingent. No police in sight because they were all at the other end of the ground.

Grimsby fans spent the last five minutes of the game on the pitch from all sides with stewards and police having a difficult job to ensure the match reached its conclusion.

Violence then erupted at the end with Grimsby supporters attempting to attack anyone they could see. They picked up advertising hoardings before police only managed to gain some kind of control with a baton charge.

Fans from the likes of Plymouth Argyle and my own Wycombe Wanderers have taken this season's relegations with great dignity. However the actions of a large number of Grimsby supporters ensure they will certainly not be missed from the Football League.

And I used to have a soft spot for the men from Cleethorpes.