Video Loading

Huddersfield Town fans have complained at “heavy-handed” stewarding at last Saturday’s game at Bolton.

Paul Tempest, 26, of Dalton, was one of a handful of supporters ejected from the Town end at the Macron Stadium.

Keen Town fan Paul claims he was caught up in the chaos when a large group of fans arrived 15 minutes after kick-off.

The fans couldn’t find seats and spilled down the central aisles, blocking access and causing stewards to move in.

Paul, his cousin Jordan Greig, his uncle Michael Greig and pal Dan Waddington ended up being thrown out.

“The stewards were really heavy-handed and aggressive for no reason,” said Paul. “I was singled out and they wouldn’t negotiate or let me explain. This type of stewarding is what’s wrong with modern-day football.”

Paul has now reported what happened to the Football Supporters’ Federation which will submit a formal complaint on his behalf.

Paul told how he arrived 10 minutes before the game to find his seat and those of his friends taken by someone else.

Instead of making a fuss he went to an empty seat at the end of a row next to his cousin.

When the late-comers swarmed in there seemed to be no seats left and fans stood in the aisle from the top down.

Paul said stewards came up and told fans, including him at the end of the row, to clear the aisle.

He stepped back but the next thing he knew several burly stewards came up the stand and ejected him.

“I was manhandled and they were shouting aggressively and literally dragged me out. They wouldn’t explain or listen, they just said I was out.

Huddersfield Town fan Paul Tempest (black top) being ejected by stewards at Bolton. Image from YouTube video by Richard Kosmala.
Huddersfield Town fan Paul Tempest (black top) being ejected by stewards at Bolton. Image from YouTube video by Richard Kosmala.

“My cousin got thrown out when he went down to ask why I was being ejected and my uncle went down to find his son but they told him to go away.

“Five minutes later the stewards came back up and told him his son wanted to speak to him but when he got down they grabbed him and pushed him out as well.”

Paul said the stewards “ripped” match tickets out of their hands and said: “These are ours now.”

Another fan, Dave Scholefield, of supporters’ group North Stand Loyal, was nearby and saw what happened.

He said: “When the late fans came in it almost felt as if there weren’t enough seats, though I am sure there were.

“The fan I now know was Paul was told by a steward to move behind a yellow line, which he did.

“I spoke to the steward and he said OK and off he went, giving the impression all was fine. Paul said thanks to me and I said it was all about common sense.

“Then minutes later the same steward came back with two or three bigger, younger stewards. They were not coming to negotiate, they had another agenda.

“They just grabbed hold of him and took him out. I turned to the first, older guy and told him he had said it was ok. I told the steward he had caused this.”

Dave stayed behind afterwards to collect his flag and saw the same steward again.

“I told him it was poor form and he had created a situation by not doing his job properly.”

A spokesman for Bolton Wanderers said: “Several Huddersfield supporters were stood in the gangways which is against our ground regulations.

“One, after being asked to move several times, was ejected, at which point others became involved and were also ejected.

“Mr Tempest was ejected at the behest of Greater Manchester Police, who had witnessed his behaviour.

“At one point a fellow supporter was trying to calm him down, and in the opinions of all involved, Mr Tempest could have caused more issues if he stayed in the ground.

“All ejections were covered by CCTV and witnessed by the police commander. Bolton Wanderers have given Mr Tempest the chance to speak with our chief safety officer.”

See our gallery of fans at Huddersfield Town's game at Bolton below.