Gillingham FC Supporters’ Club wants an investigation into disorder that marred the final game of the League 2 season at Port Vale.
The GFCSC say they have twice attempted to raise the matter with Port Vale FC, two Port Vale safety officers, and the Sports Ground Safety department at Staffordshire Council, claiming that “a small minority” of spectators had “a clear intent to cause violence” towards fans in the Gillingham section.
Port Vale were already promoted ahead of the final-day match on Saturday, May 3 at Vale Park, which was attended by a capacity crowd of almost 14,000. Gillingham won 1-0, but several incidents of fan disorder were reported, which prompted an investigation by the supporters’ club.
In the build-up to the game, Vale got approval to release an additional 1,000 tickets for the match to home fans, who were situated next to the 600 away supporters. It was in that area which the GFCSC say trouble occurred.
An email from supporters’ club chairman Neil Klee on May 5 was sent to raise the issues, asking what was being done to address those matters, which included “physical attacks on supporters” that they say “created a scene of chaos and fear.”
The supporters’ club said those emails went unanswered and have now released the letter which had been sent to “formally raise a complaint regarding the serious incidents witnessed.”
It said that: “A number of fans, seated near the area separating the home and away fans, have emailed us regarding the troubling behaviour from a number of Port Vale supporters throughout the game.
“From the outset, there were repeated attempts by some home fans to provoke Gillingham supporters, including offensive gestures such as Nazi salutes and threatening behaviour.”
The letter described one “particularly disruptive” individual and said that “although stewards briefly removed him, he was inexplicably allowed back into the stand and continued his behaviour.”
Another was said to have “repeatedly approached the barriers separating the fans, shaking them violently and shouting abuse. Despite his aggression, stewards only asked him to return to his seat and failed to intervene more decisively.”
Gillingham players went over to thank the away fans at the full-time whistle, at which time it’s said that “the situation escalated dangerously.”
The letter said: “While Gillingham fans were applauding our players, a group of Port Vale fans climbed over the segregation area and entered the away end.
“They acted with clear intent to cause violence—throwing barriers, physically attacking supporters, and creating a scene of chaos and fear.
“One young Gillingham supporter was left in tears and had to be escorted away, while another Gillingham fan sustained injuries during the incident.
“One individual was seen throwing a heavy metal barrier at Gillingham fans—not just pushing it, but launching it through the air. Another fan had the metal fence thrown at him.
“These were not isolated actions but part of a coordinated surge from a group of home fans who appeared to attend the match intent on causing trouble.”
The GFCSC had sought the opinion of fans from both clubs and they stated that “a key concern was the failure in stewarding.”
The letter went on: “At full-time, many stewards left their positions to attempt to prevent a pitch incursion, leaving the away section exposed.
“This lapse in judgement allowed Port Vale fans to breach the segregation and confront away supporters unchallenged.
“The fact that the stewards only returned once the violence had already erupted is deeply troubling.
“While a small number of Gillingham fans may have reacted in the moment, it is clear that the violence was initiated by Port Vale supporters and that the situation was exacerbated by the inadequate stewarding and poor crowd management on the day.
“Several Gillingham supporters, all with families enjoying the final game of the season, have informed us that this was the first time they have ever felt genuinely unsafe at a football match.
“It is unacceptable that visiting fans—many of them families with children—were put in this position.”
The supporters’ club asked for the matter to be investigated as a matter of urgency, and requested that individuals involved be subject to disciplinary action. They also called for a review into stewarding protocols “to ensure the safety of all fans in the future, especially when the away end is being used to also house “home” supporters.”
The letter, which included video links, added: “We realise this is a small minority of Port Vale supporters and congratulate you on promotion to League One.”
Port Vale FC, Staffordshire Council’s Sports Ground Safety department and Staffordshire Police have been approached for comment.
