GUISELEY have banned the supporter shown on video swapping Warrington Town goalkeeper Tony Thompson’s drinks bottle for one allegedly contaminated with urine – but say the investigation won’t stop there.
Wire keeper Thompson was sent off for confronting the supporter during the FA Trophy second round game last weekend.
Suggestions quickly surfaced that his drink had been tampered with and footage of a spectator jumping onto the pitch and switching bottles inside the goal net was widely circulated on social media later that evening. Thompson, 28, said he had been “knocked sick” by the incident, which is being dealt with by Cheshire Police.
The NPL Premier Lions thanked supporters who sent emails and images to help identify those involved and said they will take any necessary action.
The club said: “We can confirm that whilst we await the outcome of the investigation from Cheshire Police and Warrington Town, the individual identified as having entered the pitch at the Cantilever Stadium is banned indefinitely, with immediate effect, from attending all Guiseley AFC home and away matches.
“When the investigation is completed and we can ascertain the level of their involvement in the wider incident we may review the length of the ban if deemed appropriate.
“This is thanks to several emails from fellow supporters, images provided by those in attendance and linking these to the widely circulated footage. We thank all those who have contributed.
Accomplices
“We have submitted all evidence we have to West Yorkshire Police and asked that they pass this onto their colleagues at Cheshire Police who have been in contact with Warrington Town, so they can continue their investigations into the contents of the bottle and the events that followed. Once we receive the match footage from Warrington we will continue in our efforts to identify the individual’s accomplices and take necessary action.”
Thompson, meanwhile, lost his appeal against his suspension but did see the length of his ban reduced from three games to one.
Chairman Toby Macormac said: “As well as the human impact on Tony, it is disappointing from a club point of view that the incident contributed to our exit from the FA Trophy.
“It’s particularly frustrating as the prize money associated with progress in the competition would have been much needed. We have been forced to spend upwards of £8,000 in recent weeks on pitch works and protecting the pitch due to ongoing attacks from crows.
“We must now move on from this incident and get our league campaign back on track.”
