"On a less savoury front, after the game about 20 or 30 schoolkid hooligan wannabes started throwing objects at the South Shields supporters’ coach. I don’t know what prompted it - perhaps they’ve been watching too many videos on YouTube. However, they are going to be in for a rude awakening when some bigger boys decide to give them a good slapping."
Yesterday was Guiseley's first game since South Shields. This time it was at home to current table toppers Hyde United, resplendent in their Manchester United replica kit. Guiseley were beaten 3-2 by the better team. The ref had a shocker, with more cards being flashed than at a poker tournament in Vegas.
After complaints regarding the general behaviour of the mini-hooli-wannabes, the club had announced the imposition of new rules - under-14s to be accompanied if paying on the turnstiles, advanced on-line tickets if not; exclusion from a particular covered terrace where they normally congregate, and increased stewarding. Which had no effect. There seemed to be even more of them, and they simply congregated by the covered terrace, which was then occupied by Hyde supporters. From what I understand, some of the bigger boys from Hyde took exception to the abuse they were getting, and at least one little boy is going to have to explain the bruising on his face to his mummy, as she wipes away his tears.
There was none of that bouncing up and down and shouting "stand" nonsense - oh no! - just a blur of Stone Island and CP, as the little darlings ran away as fast and as far as their short legs could carry them.
Hopefully it's a valuable lesson learned, and they'll stick to their YouTube videos in future.
