‘I’m going to hunt you down’ – Ian Holloway rages at own fans as club launch investigation over shock incident
Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway was left foaming with his own fans after a chair was thrown at Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts.
Holloway’s side kicked off their League Two campaign on Saturday afternoon away at Walsall.
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Holloway was furious with what happened during Swindon’s defeat at Bescot StadiumCredit: Sky SportsThey looked to be on course to grabbing a point at Bescot Stadium following Will Wright’s equaliser from the penalty spot in the 79th minute.
But it was the ten men of Walsall that would claim all three points as Connor Barrett scored in the first minute of stoppage time to put the hosts 2-1 up.
Amid the celebrations from the home fans, chaos erupted over by the away end.
Walsall shot-stopper Roberts had a chair thrown at him by one Swindon fan in the away end.
Read more on EFLAt the time of the incident, Roberts was on the floor with what looked to be a calf injury.
The object didn’t hit him, but it did land near the 23-year-old, and after the match, the former Blackpool manager let rip.
Holloway failed to contain his anger when discussing the incident, as he insisted those around the fan in question should have stopped him, while warning the supporter that he will ‘hunt you down’.
He raged: “Well, my thoughts, I’m a human being and I love this game and I am passionate about it, but I also love other human beings.
“So I love their goalie and I love their team, whether they beat us or whether they don’t.
“And I’m here to represent my wonderful football club in a way that is courteous in defeat, gracious, tenacious as well.
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The players were clearly baffled by what happened in stoppage timeCredit: Sky Sports”I want to fight for things, but what you don’t do is rip out a seat and throw it at someone.”
He continued: “And whoever was stood by the person who did it, I need you to step forward and say, ‘Actually, I’m not having that in football.’ I want to bring my grandchildren to watch my team.
“And I wouldn’t want Walsall thinking that about all of us. So anybody who is stood by that person, and let’s be honest, it’s probably a bloke isn’t it?
“I’m being brutally honest, it ain’t going to be a woman ripping a seat out and throwing it at someone, is it?
“So whoever the bloke is, I want him dogged in because that’s not right. That’s not football.”
He added: “You think you’re clever, you think you’re upset and all of this, just shut your face and get out the game. That’s how I feel. It’s absolutely disgusting.
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Holloway issued a stern warning to the fans in questionCredit: Sky Sports”You think you’re representing our football club, then I’m not having you. So we need them out, we need to find who it is and dob them in.
“It’s absolutely, totally wrong. You should be ashamed of yourself, whoever you are. That’s who it is and that should be not in football.
“It’s not in the women’s game. They’re showing us how to do it, by the way. Well done to the ladies. Well done to England. Well done to Sarina Wiegman.
“But that is disgusting. And if you think that’s allowed in football, and you stand there and you know who it is, then just dob them in. We don’t want these people.
“And we’re not the only ones, are we? No. It’s still in football, isn’t it? So why don’t people who actually see and know who it is, why?
“If it’s your mate, how dare you not sort them out and stop them doing it while they’re trying to do it. Why? What’s the matter with you?
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“That’s what’s wrong. It’s society that’s wrong. And these people creep into football and no one does anything about it.
“Well, I’m standing up for a Swindon Town Football Club. We’re a magnificent club and we don’t want this anything to do with us.
“So whoever you are, you should be ashamed of yourself. And I’m going to hunt you down and find you.”
Swindon, who face Cambridge next, have since announced they will conduct an investigation into ‘a number of serious incidents’ where they will work alongside Walsall.
The club stated: “Swindon Town Football Club are appalled by the unacceptable behaviour of a minority of individuals during our recent fixture against Walsall.
“The club is aware of a number of serious incidents involving the use of pyrotechnics, objects being thrown, abuse directed at stewards, staff, players, and match officials, as well as damage caused to property within the stadium.
“This behaviour has absolutely no place at our football club or in the wider game.
Read More on talkSPORT”We are conducting a full and thorough investigation into these matters and are working closely with Walsall Football Club and the relevant local authorities to identify those responsible.
“Let us be clear: any individuals found to have engaged in such actions will face the strictest possible sanctions, including banning orders and legal action where appropriate.
“Swindon Town will not tolerate any conduct that endangers the safety of others or damages the reputation of our football club.”
