Wrexham chairman takes provocative action
By Nathan Davies - August 8 2004
Wrexham's opening day victory over Swindon Town was overshadowed by the antics of unpopular club chairman Alex Hamilton - the man who wants to sell the Racecourse. Hamilton decided to go for a walkabout on the Kop while the game was underway in a provocative show of power.
The incident occurred after the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) had completed a peaceful protest march through the town to campaign about Hamilton's plans.
Supporters of the Red Dragons deserve credit for not talking with their fists. The much-criticised chairman was only subject to critical chants.
The WST - who are raising funds to try to save the Racecourse and buy the club off Hamilton - released the following statement:
"Wrexham Supporters Trust would like to express their outrage at the behaviour of club chairman Mr Alex Hamilton during todays match against Swindon.
Mr Hamilton's one man invasion of the Kop End at Wrexham was an extremely provocative move at a time when emotions in the town are running high. Mr Hamilton has stated that he has no interest in the football club other than in redeveloping the ground.
We understand that this "stunt" was executed against the advice of the police and could have lead to a serious incident at the game.
It is to the credit of Wrexham fans that Mr Hamilton suffered no more than a few harsh words.
Trust secretary Simon Johnson outlined the fans concerns. "Mr Hamilton's behaviour was a crude stunt designed to provoke an incident at the game. Wrexham fans deserve credit for the restraint shown in the face of massive provocation. This action defies logic"
Trust member Lindsay Jones stated: "The police have enough to do at the game without having to deal with erratic behaviour from the owner of a football club. Given the size of the clubs debts you would imagine that Mr Hamilton had more pressing concerns than antagonising his customers. Over 3000 Wrexham fans demonstrated peacefully during a march through the town today and Mr Hamilton could use them as an example of how to behave at a football match."
Wrexham Supporters Trust will be contacting the Welsh FA and the Football League and requesting that both bodies examine the incident. Wrexham supporters have already complained to the police about Mr Hamilton's actions".
By Nathan Davies - August 8 2004
Wrexham's opening day victory over Swindon Town was overshadowed by the antics of unpopular club chairman Alex Hamilton - the man who wants to sell the Racecourse. Hamilton decided to go for a walkabout on the Kop while the game was underway in a provocative show of power.
The incident occurred after the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) had completed a peaceful protest march through the town to campaign about Hamilton's plans.
Supporters of the Red Dragons deserve credit for not talking with their fists. The much-criticised chairman was only subject to critical chants.
The WST - who are raising funds to try to save the Racecourse and buy the club off Hamilton - released the following statement:
"Wrexham Supporters Trust would like to express their outrage at the behaviour of club chairman Mr Alex Hamilton during todays match against Swindon.
Mr Hamilton's one man invasion of the Kop End at Wrexham was an extremely provocative move at a time when emotions in the town are running high. Mr Hamilton has stated that he has no interest in the football club other than in redeveloping the ground.
We understand that this "stunt" was executed against the advice of the police and could have lead to a serious incident at the game.
It is to the credit of Wrexham fans that Mr Hamilton suffered no more than a few harsh words.
Trust secretary Simon Johnson outlined the fans concerns. "Mr Hamilton's behaviour was a crude stunt designed to provoke an incident at the game. Wrexham fans deserve credit for the restraint shown in the face of massive provocation. This action defies logic"
Trust member Lindsay Jones stated: "The police have enough to do at the game without having to deal with erratic behaviour from the owner of a football club. Given the size of the clubs debts you would imagine that Mr Hamilton had more pressing concerns than antagonising his customers. Over 3000 Wrexham fans demonstrated peacefully during a march through the town today and Mr Hamilton could use them as an example of how to behave at a football match."
Wrexham Supporters Trust will be contacting the Welsh FA and the Football League and requesting that both bodies examine the incident. Wrexham supporters have already complained to the police about Mr Hamilton's actions".