THE man behind the Donny The Dog mask is hitting back.
Doncaster Rovers fan Alan Liney - a 58-year-old grandfather - is furious at comments that his behaviour has incited fans.
Police chiefs in Huddersfield banned Alan in his Donny the Dog guise from Saturday's match at the Galpharm Stadium.
But their claims that his previous behaviour elsewhere had caused problems have caused even more anger.
Now Doncaster Rovers intend to raise the issue with West Yorkshire Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn.
And Mr Liney, who stands only 5ft 4in high, is desperate to clear his name so that he can continue to support his beloved Rovers.
"I have never had any hint of trouble before.
"It is wrong to say I was refused access to Huddersfield Town last year; I was at the game last season in my normal clothes, collecting money for our youth teams.
"And the only grounds where I have not been allowed in as Donny are Nottingham Forest and Torquay United, because both have blanket bans on away mascots.
"The suggestions I incite trouble are abhorrent to me and to my club."
Mr Liney, a director of the South Yorkshire club, was told by Town officials he would be welcome but was then turned away by police on the day.
John Ryan, Doncaster's chairman, said; "This was draconian policing at its worst.
"I will be writing to the Chief Constable to ask for his observations and I will be looking for an apology".
Robert Pepper, of the Supporters Trust in Huddersfield, said it was "bizarre and incomprehensible".
"I know Andy Liney personally as he is the chairman of the Supporters Trust at Doncaster and the fans representative on the board.
"He is a totally responsible individual and what happened on Saturday was totally out of order".
