Joy has turned to despair for a number of York City fans after ecstatic celebrations of a last-minute goal turned into an indefinite stadium ban.
Around 20 fans have been told they are barred from the LNER Community Stadium for their behaviour.
The news came just days before City’s final home game of the season, where they could potentially clinch promotion to the Football League.
It has sparked anger and dismay among supporters, who see it as an over-reaction to a minor incident with no serious safety implications.
Both City’s co-owners Julie-Anne and Matt Uggla have shared social media posts expression concern about the situation.
It comes after the stadium erupted into excitement when City scored a 96th-minute winner against Altrincham on Saturday 6 April.
During the celebrations some fans spilled out of the South Stand and fell over the advertising hoardings, which also fell forward.
They have received communications from York City FC saying: “Unfortunately, York City Football Club believes that your recent behaviour constitutes a breach of the York Community Stadium ground regulations and may result in FA sanctions being brought against York City Football Club.
“Your conduct has been carefully monitored and reviewed by the Club, North Yorkshire Police and York Stadium Management Company.
“Following this review, senior management, in consultation with our partners, have concluded that the nature of your behaviour is unacceptable and presents a serious risk to the safety of supporters and staff.
“Considering this, it has been determined that the only appropriate course of action is to issue you with a stadium ban, effective immediately, pending the outcome of a full investigation by North Yorkshire Police.”
Today, Julie-Anne Uggla said that neither her or son Matt were involved in the ban decision.
She wrote: “The management team that issued the original letter did so with the intention of acting in the best interests of safety. However, we have now formally asked for a review, with the aim of working constructively alongside the SMC and the police to reassess the outcome.”
She said they understood “how concerning and frustrating this situation is, and we recognise the important role fans play in the club. Your support is valued, and it is important to us that you feel heard and treated fairly.”
North Yorkshire Police said the ban is a matter for the club, but their enquiries into the incident were underway.
And the York Stadium Management Company, which runs the venue, also said that the banning orders came from the club.
York City Supporters Trust issued a statement to say they were in contact with the club about the concerns.
The trust added: As many will have seen from screenshots shared online, North Yorkshire Police are investigating aspects of supporter behaviour. YCST will not comment publicly on ongoing police investigations.
Whilst YCST is not in a position to assist Fans with ongoing police investigations, we would like to remind members and YCFC supporters that the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) provides legal advice to football supporters, and their contact information can be found on their website here.”
