Barry Hearn: The People's Promoter

[Exiled in Exeter]

David Jason narrates an insight into the life of Barry Hearn, who worked his way from humble beginnings to manage some of the biggest stars of snooker, boxing and darts of the past four decades. His feisty personality, poor health and financial problems are revealed, featuring contributions from his own children and famous names from the sporting world.

6:10pm - 7pm BBC2

Repeat Today 11pm

 

[Exiled in Exeter]

Pitch invasion could be Brighton: Football - Sport - The Independent

Pitch invasion could be Brighton's `death knell': Football

Brighton, who are bottom of the League, and Leyton Orient could both be hauled before the Football Association after crowd trouble at the Goldstone Ground on Saturday.

The Third Division match was held up for four minutes in the second half after several home fans came onto the pitch, and one allegedly attacked Scott McGleish after he had scored for Orient in the 4-4 draw. Hove police questioned five people in the course of arrests made during and after the game, four of whom have been released on bail.

Liz Costa, the vice-chair of the official Brighton supporters club, believes there was an element of incitement from Orient players and the FA have promised to investigate. Costa said yesterday: "While there is no excuse for what happened and I condemn those who came onto the pitch as highly irresponsible, it must be taken into account that Orient players had been inciting home fans with obscene gestures.

"Brighton's future is still on a knife edge and this was the last thing we needed. It could cost us our League status... The feeling among Brighton fans at what has happened is one of anger. Barry Hearn [the Orient chairman] may be calling for tough action but Orient's part in this must be examined."

An FA spokesman, Steve Double, said: "We are obviously very concerned at the initial reports of players being attacked by fans. We will await the reports from the match officials and if necessary the police, too. We will also consider allegations of possible incitement by players."

Brighton recently failed with their appeal to the FA to win back two points following a pitch invasion in their home game against Lincoln on 1 October, but Double stressed there was no outstanding suspended sentence against the club.

Hearn said: "The security was appalling. This is a very sad day for Brighton and it could be the death knell for them.We simply can't condone what the Brighton fans did and we will protest."



Ray fury as thugs take over; Brighton 4 Leyton Orient 4.
Ray fury as thugs take over; Brighton 4 Leyton Orient 4. - Free Online Library

McGleish had just put Orient 4-3 ahead and former England star Wilkins, making his away debut for Orient, tangled with his team-mate's attacker.

He said: "The fan was a big guy and he as he tried to hit the ref I stepped in and he bounced off me."

Wilkins believes it will be a tragedy for Brighton boss Steve Gritt if the Seagulls are handed another points penalty by the FA. Last month their appeal against a two-point deduction for the pitch invasion in the home game against Lincoln on October 1 was rejected, and Wilkins said: "It'll be such a shame if the FA decide to take further action against Brighton.

"When Steve Gritt took over it was a non-starter to stay in the League being 12 points from safety. It was a huge gap and what Steve and the guys have done has been miraculous.

"It's a great shame that a small minority are trying to ruin things for Brighton. Steve Gritt and the players are working their socks off and what is regrettable is that it is not the supporters who will suffer, it is the players and the manager. For them it must be like hitting your head against a brick wall."

The FA are promising a full inquiry into the pitch invasion and Orient chairman Barry Hearn is pledging to press for Brighton to be punished. He branded those responsible as "mindless yobs" and defended his players for lashing out when the offenders were being arrested.

He said: "Having a fan come on to the field and hit a player on the opposing side is unacceptable and sends out the wrong message. Under the circumstances, I would expect my players to get involved. I would if I was on the bench.

"Those so-called supporters should be locked up. This is a very serious matter for Brighton, and we intend to follow it through."

Brighton boss Gritt, who has done remarkably well to divorce his players from the club's off-field problems since taking over three months ago, refused to be drawn on the possibility of Brighton losing points. "I can only take about the football and but for our ineptitude this was a game we would have won," he said.

Brighton made a dream start with Craig Maskell scoring twice in the opening seven minutes. But two goals from Carl Griffiths and one by Alex Inglethorpe just after the interval put Orient in control.

Ian Baird made it 3-3 on 74 minutes, only for McGleish to reply moments later. Orient had Mark Warren sent off on 84 minutes before Paul McDonald converted a point-saving penalty a minute later.

Brighton remain a point adrift at the bottom and Gritt admitted: "Our defending at times was amateurish. The players let themselves and the supporters down.

"I'm pleased I've kept my record of us not losing at home, but to score four and not win is disappointing."