'Morons' to be banned by Bradford City

During a pitch invasion that followed a 2-0 win for City, a small group broke away from the main body of supporters to taunt and abuse the visitors housed in the end block of the Midland Road Stand.

Stewards prevented trouble breaking out as missiles were thrown before the miscreants were gradually ushered away from the area.

However, on a weekend when Valley Parade fell silent in memory of the 56 fans who lost their lives in the 1985 fire, an incensed Lawn has vowed to get tough with anyone involved.

He said: "These people are morons, it is as simple as that, and they have no place at Bradford City games. I am sickened by what I saw after the final whistle.

"The Northampton fans were a credit to their club and had stood in total silence before the game to remember those who died 25 years ago.

"Several also bought the 'remember' t-shirts that were produced in aid of the Burns Unit and laid flowers, scarves and pennants on the memorial.

"Not only that, but one coach of Northampton fans even held a collection and raised 100, which was also donated to the Burns Unit.

"To think that these supporters who showed such wonderful respect to Bradford City then had to endure morons taunting and abusing them after the final whistle makes me sick.

"We do not want these people at Valley Parade in the future and that is why we are going through the CCTV cameras to pick out those involved.

"They will then be banned, and I would also like to see the police take criminal action as it is an offence to invade a football pitch."

City have already contacted Northampton to extend the club's thanks and issue an apology that will appear in the next matchday programme and on the website.

Lawn said: "I was at Valley Parade on the day of the fire and had tears in my eyes before kick-off against Northampton.

"That is what the day should have been about, not a small group of idiots behaving like they did.

"Do these people have no idea about what happened 25 years ago?"

City's joint chairman has also vowed to review stewarding and policing arrangements for the 2010-11 season along with the current arrangement which allows home fans to sit in the Bradford End.

A Bradford spokesman added: "The club believes that this is the latest and worst incident of a lowering of standards by some spectators.

"Entry on to the pitch when asked not to do so by the club, abuse of visiting fans in Midland Road, foul and abusive language, persistent standing during the game and even the failure to stop the drumming in the Bradford End while the Fire & Rescue Service Band were playing. These all showed a lack of respect for others.

"The club will look closely at these issues over the summer months and asks that all true Bradford City fans help and support any of our efforts to remove those who undermine the good name of the club."

The actions of the minority on Saturday also upset many City fans at the game and prompted Ann Firth, whose husband Paul wrote the book about the fire Four Minutes to Hell, to contact the Yorkshire Post to express her disgust.

She said: "The Northampton supporters were extremely respectful and even bought the t-shirts in aid of the Burns Unit.

"So imagine my despair, when, at the end of the game, a number of Bradford City fans invaded the pitch in order to goad the opposition supporters and, I understand, throw missiles.

"I am disgusted and ashamed that this happened. As home fans we shouted at them to leave the pitch, which they eventually did."

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Valley Parade tragedy we will be producing a special four-page pullout in next week's Sports Monday.