A bum deal

The Addicks fan who ran onto the pitch at the match against Hartlepool United on January 19th was due to report to Plumstead police station on Wednesday.

The Addicks fan who ran onto the pitch against Hartlepool was due to report to Plumstead police station on Wednesday

The 16-year-old was bailed following his arrest for entering the pitch during the League One match against Pools, and both the youngster and Charlton are now facing up to the consequences of his actions.

"When he was running around the pitch, I'm sure he thought it was all good fun, but that soon changed," said Charlton operations director Mick Everett. "You can imagine the reaction of his mother when she received a call from the police just before midnight to advise her that her son had been arrested.

"She had to travel up from Hastings to collect him, and then drive home again in the early hours. They will also have to return to Plumstead when he answers his bail."

There were just a few minutes remaining of the match against United when the youngster, wearing a lime green 'mankini', leapt out of the stand and over the advertising hoardings surrounding the pitch.

He was pursued and eventually apprehended by stewards with the help of several Hartlepool players, and, after being arrested by the police, now faces criminal charges and a banning order from The Valley.

The situation is just as serious for the club, however, after the referee included the incident in his post-match report to the Football Association.

"After the final whistle, I was asked to attend the referee's changing room, along with safety officer John Little, and we knew what was coming," said Mick. "The referee is duty-bound to mention the incident, although he also told us that he felt the individual was quickly dealt with and escorted off the pitch.

"Unfortunately, this could mean we face a fine, which is the last thing the club needs at the moment given our current financial situation."

The incident sparked further disorder outside the ground after the final whistle, however.

"Several of his friends filmed his exploits on their phones and gathered outside the players' entrance after the game to try to film him being taken away by the police," explained Everett.

"When they were asked to move away from the entrance, one started throwing punches at our stewards and a second attempted a headbutt, so they were both restrained.

"A seemingly innocent incident will therefore now lead to at least three individuals being banned from attending games at The Valley and, in all probability, at least one of them will receive a national ban."

The incidents were doubly frustrating for the Addicks given Everett had received a letter earlier the same day from the FA stating that the governing body wasn't planning to fine the club after a Lucozade bottle was thrown onto the pitch following Millwall's last-gasp equaliser on December 19th.

"Thankfully, our good record in these matters means we only received a warning, rather than a fine," said Mick. "But the FA made clear that it was a suspended sentence and that it would revisit the matter if there were any further incidents. The pitch incursion was therefore great timing.

"I can understand why fans thought it was funny, but on a serious note, it was the last thing the club needed."

Everett added: "The question I would like supporters to ask themselves is whether going onto the pitch is worth a court appearance and a probable football banning order, fine and criminal record? Of course it isn't, and it also results in charges and fines for the club you are supposed to support."

Despite the drama, the police remain supportive of Charlton's matchday operation.

Greenwich borough commander Det Chief Supt Richard Wood said: "Charlton are widely regarded as a family club, and the vast majority of supporters attend The Valley to enjoy the game and spend time with their friends and family.

"We work closely with the club to ensure that the tiny minority who break the law or engage in anti-social behaviour are dealt with. If appropriate, this may mean through the courts and could result in an individual being banned from attending football matches."