CHESTER FC chief executive Pat Cluskey believes the club’s decision to give the entire West Stand to FC Halifax Town fans was justified in light of the crowd trouble that marred a gripping Exacta Stadium FA Cup clash between the sides.
Some Blues fans were upset that Shaymen supporters were allowed to take over one side of the ground for the third qualifying round match but Cluskey reckons the unsavoury incidents proved the club was correct to insist on segregation.
Less than two minutes into the match a small band of fans from the Halifax contingent burst on to the pitch to confront Chester supporters in the Harry McNally Terrace.
Punches were thrown and further trouble erupted in the 22nd minute in the corner of the East Stand.
Cluskey, who told The Chronicle three arrests had been made, said: “I spoke to the police and they are delighted with the way the Chester stewards dealt with the issue.
“I personally think it goes to show the club was right to segregate the Halifax fans. I would have hated to have seen what would have happened had there been any Chester fans in that stand.
“I hope when we go back to Halifax on Tuesday night for the replay the security is just as good.”
Cluskey added: “Halifax did write to us in the last week to advise us that they have a potential unruly element following them at the moment so both Halifax and Chester have been proactive.
“I’m pleased that the stewards dealt with the issue as well as they did and that the Chester fans behaved well.
“It’s sad to see at a game of football.”
Blues boss Neil Young was bitterly disappointed that what happened off the field took the shine off what he hailed as an ‘enthralling’ encounter between two teams who both finished with 10 men.
Young said: “You don’t need that in football. I don’t know why you bother coming if you’re going to do that."
On the match itself, Young was full of praise for his side’s performance after they lost two defenders to injury – Matty McGinn and Wes Baynes – and another – George Horan – to a sending off.
