It’s been a disappointing week in our national game as the spectre of racism has reared its’ ugly head again in two completely separate incidents that have left players from two of our sides – Cray Wanderers and Phoenix Sports – on the wrong end of behaviour that is completely and totally unacceptable.

Both incidents happened on Tuesday evening with the incident involving Cray happening at the end of their five one thumping of Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire.

At the end of the game, an “individual” made some shocking and disgusting comments towards defender Mitchell Nelson. The incident led to a fracas when a member of the Cray coaching staff confronted the supporter, who was escorted from the stadium by stewards. Cray have subsequently reported the incident to the national FA and the game’s equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out as well as Hertfordshire police.

In a statement on the club’s website, club CEO Sam Wright said,

“It is with great regret that we have had to report the racist abuse of one of our players during Tuesday night’s game with Bishops Stortford, up to the F.A, Kick It Out, Isthmian League, County F.A and the Police. It should be a day where we are reflecting on a great footballing performance, but sadly the performance on the pitch is being overshadowed by the ugly head of racism in our great game.”

“We will fully support all of our players through this incident and hope that the perpetrator is dealt with accordingly.”

When KSN contacted Cray boss Tony Russell for his preview of the weekend’s FA Cup tie with Soham Town Rangers, we asked him what happened.

He admitted his disgust and disappointment as he told us, “It was a good win for us at Bishop’s Stortford – it had been coming – sadly there were some things that happened at the end which wasn’t great, but on the football side of things it had been coming so I wasn’t that surprised in getting the result, only the margin going into the game we’d been playing really well.”

“Against Haringey Borough recently we probably had just as many chances – it was a strange night and it was a shame about what happened at the end!”

“It just happened and we couldn’t really celebrate. There were a couple of upset individuals at the end of the game and they were fuming. We got the players into a huddle and we just spoke openly and honestly about the events as a group – what we’d just witnessed and been through and just said that we can’t let this take away from what we’re doing.”

“It was a weird situation – Joe Vines, my assistant, comes from a mixed family and he was really upset. Normally Vinesy always talks at the end of the game, but he couldn’t do it on Tuesday and it’s not nice seeing a friend like that.”

“We’re going to try and use Tuesday’s events to bring us closer as a group and we’re going to make sure that the boys who were affected the most are alright at training on Thursday night – I think it will bring us closer!”

On the same night, and equally as disturbing was the events at the Mayplace Ground where a Phoenix Sports player was verbally abused by an East Grinstead player after the home side’s 6-3 win.

Phoenix Chairman, Andrew Mortlake, issued the following statement, “As the Chairman of Phoenix Sports Club, I was extremely sickened to hear about the verbal abuse one of our players received last night in our home game against East Grinstead Town.”

“Our secretary reported this to the referee after the game. I am pleased to read the action taken by the Chairman and Manager of East Grinstead. The ‘Kick It Out’ campaign in football has worked hard to stop racism in all forms and it has no place in football or our society at all. Our manager Paul Bryon will be in conversation with our player to see whether he wants to take this any further but at this stage I fully appreciate and support East Grinstead’s prompt actions.”

To be fair to the Sussex side, their response has been swift. In a statement on their website on Wednesday morning, they say, “The club were made aware of an incident after the game last night against Phoenix Sports. Due to the nature of the incident, and the club’s policy on this, the player has been informed this morning by the first team manager that his registration will be released, and he will no longer represent the club.”

“As a club we feel very strongly that this type of behaviour has no place in football or society, and although completely out of character for the young player involved, we felt that the correct action had to be taken.”

“We would like to apologise unreservedly to Phoenix Sports and their player involved in this regrettable incident.”

Together this evil that is racism can be stopped in the game we all love – but events similar to those we have seen this week are not the norm, but for the good of the game, they must not be tolerated or allowed to happen again!