A STEWARD who taunted Crewe Alexandra fans during their team's derby clash with Stoke City last week has been sacked.

The man has been dismissed by bosses at security firm Goldrange, which provides crowd control staff at the Britannia Stadium.

A second steward, who is also believed to have been involved in the incident has kept his job with the company but will not return to work at Stoke City.

The October 25 match, a 1-1 draw, was watched by 17,559 people including 3,000 from Crewe.

The action has been taken after Staffordshire Police launched an investigation into a glut of complaints from Alex supporters that stewards man-handled them and made obscene hand gestures.

The incidents sparked ugly scenes at the final whistle when scuffles broke out between Alex fans and the cordon of stewards at the South Stand.

Crewe fans who made the trip to the Potteries say they were stunned when a steward gesticulated in their direction after Steve Jones put the Railwaymen ahead. The steward was led away by senior security officials.

They also watched in disbelief as the two arrested Crewe supporters were allegedly manhandled and ejected from the ground.

Stoke City chief executive Jonathan Fuller said: 'Goldrange is taking appropriate action against the two individuals.'

Crewe Fan Dave Tomlinson, 32, was at the game and complained about the incidents.

He said: 'I'm very pleased that Stoke City and the police have taken this matter seriously and that they have taken the correct action swiftly.'

Goldrange, which is based in London, was unavailable for comment.