Football: Thug attacks QPR keeper

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Dec 4, 2005 | by RAY CLARKIN

RANGERS goalkeeper Simon Royce was punched to the ground by a Stoke fan who ran onto the pitch after the final whistle of this bad tempered clash.

"I was just bending down to get my water bottle when the lad jumped on me and started punching me," Royce said.

"I was shocked. There seemed to be so many punches.

"I covered my face and luckily my team mates came and dragged him off.

"I'm thankful that they did. I could have been badly hurt."

Royce was shaken but otherwise unhurt after the incident at the Boothen End of the Britannia Stadium. Two men were later arrested.

Both clubs were quick to condemn the attack last night, with City manager Johan Boskamp saying: "I apologise for this. Everyone was frustrated because we have lost, but that's no excuse. It was disgraceful."

And rival boss Ian Holloway said: "I don't blame Stoke City. They should not be held responsible because of some idiots. This fan must be responsible for his actions. It's up to the courts to deal with it."

City are certain to face an FA enquiry next week into their stewarding procedures.

Full-back Marcus Bignot was among the first to go to Royce's aid. He said: "I turned round and couldn't believe what I was watching. The lad had gone mad. He was piling into Simon who was on the floor in the back of the net. We all got there as quickly as we could."

As tempers flared skirmishes broke out amongst the rival players in the goalmouth and it took three minutes before calm was restored.

The FA will await the report from match ref Andre Marriner.

The game threatened to boil over after Marriner sent off City defender John Halls in the 52nd minute for foul language.

The official had awarded Rangers a penalty after Halls pulled down Paul Furlong two yards from goal. City goalkeeper Steve Simonsen had spilled a blistering drive from Martin Rowlands and the QPR striker was floored by Hall as he prepared to pounce.

It looked a clear cut decision but Halls reacted angrily. Kevin Langley, the source of much of Rangers menace, stroked in the penalty kick for a 2-1 lead.

The goal handed the visitors a much needed victory after their miserable November when they picked up only one point.

But to the anger of the City fans their team had been in control of the match.

They had been stunned by Rangers first attack in the opening moments of the match. Dan Shittu drove the ball into the box, Stefan Moore controlled it and Furlong turned briskly to score with a low right-foot shot.

But until they went a man down Stoke were in control. Their two front men Mamady Sidibe and Sam Bangoura look as threatening as anyone in the Championship, and Bangoura is in a rich vein of form.

He scored his sixth goal in five games in the 26th minute.

Stoke were lucky to get a free-kick after Luke Chadwick went down on the right- hand touchline.

Peter Sweeney's free-kick was inch perfect and Bangoura leapt to head the ball into the bottom corner of the net from 10 yards.

Bangoura and Sidibe both had chances to score a second equaliser and it's a pity that they didn't as we surely would have been spared the shameful scenes at the end.

City skipper Michael Duberry said: "We are all passionate about the game at this club and our fans are magnificent. But one idiot has not done the club any favours today."

MAN OF THE MATCH

PAUL FURLONG

Caused terror right from the first minute.

STOKE: Simonsen 7, Hoefkens 6, Broomes 6, Duberry 7, Halls 6, Henry 7, Sweeney 7 (Sigurdsson 6), Sidibe 7, Chadwick 7, Brammer 6, Bangoura 7.

QPR: Royce 6, Bignot 7, Shittu 7, Ainsworth 7 (Cook 5), Rowlands 7, Bean 6, Moore 6 (Baidoo 5), FURLONG 8, Dyer 7, (Evatt 6), Langley 7, Milanese 6.

MANAGERS: Boskamp 6; Holloway 7

REFEREE: A Marriner 7