Fans furious over treatment

6:39pm Sunday 2nd March 2008

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Many Oxford United supporters could not hide their anger over their treatment at Forest Green on Saturday.

And their view was echoed by Rovers chairman Colin Gardner, who admitted that they had been caught off guard by the volume of Oxford fans.

More than 800 U's fans packed into The Lawn, but although all were allowed in - and charged seat prices - many were forced to stand throughout the match because all the seats were taken in the 'overspill' stand.

The most frustrating aspect of the whole situation was that there was a completely empty terrace the other side of the pitch - where U's fans watched the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

Season ticket-holder Paul Smith, one of the many forced to watch the game from a gangway said: "It was a complete joke.

"We have been charged £2 extra because the away end is all-seater, yet we have had to stand.

"Some fans can hardly have seen anything because people were stood in front of them and there was absolutely nothing they could have done - you have to feel for the children who were there.

"But why let everyone in if there was not enough seats, and why not open up the empty terrace the other side of the pitch?

"At the very least Oxford United deserve an official apology from Forest Green because the situation got completely out of control.

"There was not enough police or stewards at the game, and if something had kicked off, there is no way they could have stopped it."

Gardner said that the situation would not happen again, but did apologise to the fans who were affected.

"We were anticipating around 400-450 Oxford fans, and have been caught completely off guard by the number of them who turned up.

"More than 800 came, and we just did not expect it.

"We could not open up other areas because we did not have the resources to manage the extra area.

"If the teams meet again next season, we will be ready."

But Gardner's excuse did not wash with one fan, who would only call himself John.

"They have made an almighty ricket and should face the consequences," he said.

"There could have been a major incident here - I am sure that Forest Green are mightily relieved that there wasn't one because they must have broken rules.

"How can they not at least keep check on how many fans had come in?

"I think Oxford fans were a credit to the club because the situation could have got ugly.

"Most of them prefer standing anyway, but not like this."