Football club warns young fans causing trouble

Young football fans could face strict measures when attending games, as a club's chairman says he wants to put an end to "trouble" at its matches.

Jack Miller, runs Basingstoke Town Football Club, and released a passionate message to the town's young supporters.

He said it has had an "issue" with young people coming to its games "looking for trouble rather than football".

He added that as a result of this it will likely have to introduce some "new measures" for under 18s.

The "Stoke" play in the Southern League Premier Division South and hold its home games at the Winklebury Sports Complex.

Miller explained that he did not want to introduce the stricter rules for matches but said the disruption "affects the whole club".

"Money that could go on players, facilities, and making matchdays better ends up going on fines, extra security, and admin," he said.

He continued: "We have to ensure that Basingstoke Town is a place where genuine fans are safe and welcomed, and the people wanting to cause trouble don't bother."

In an emotional message posted on the club's website, Miller said he too was once "a young Basingstoke Town fan".

He said: "I know how much this club matters. It's the escape from the pressure of school, college, and exams. It's the one place where none of that stuff counts for 90 minutes, and the only thing that matters is the badge. It was the place where I felt I truly belonged. I still do."

He thanked the teenagers who attend the team's games and insisted this was not about silencing them.

He said the club wanted to "listen" and asked for fans to share their thoughts with him.

"You're not a problem to be managed. You're a generation to be embraced. So let's build something together that we can all be proud of," Miller said.

"Passion without poison. Pride without problems. Support that truly means something worth shouting about."

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