Haringey Ladder
When Saturday Comes|December 2019
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Huw Richards
Haringey Ladder

If the minority of Yeovil Town fans who are alleged to have racially abused Haringey Borough players during the FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Coles Park thought nothing would come of it, they chose the wrong opponents.

Borough, at the far end of White Hart Lane from a better-known club, are not like Dulwich Hamlet and Clapton CFC, who place anti-racist politics front and centre. But they have the ethnic mix usual on the London non-League scene, and a strong identification between team and fans.

If one striking element of the events which unfolded after Haringey’s players walked off in protest was the Yeovil club’s response, described as “class and dignity” by Haringey chairman Aki Achillea, another was the reaction of the home fans, who stood pretty much as one to applaud as long-serving manager Tom Loizou took his team off.

That something had happened behind the Haringey goal was obvious from my vantage point in the stand. Cameroonian goalkeeper Valery Pajetat was visibly furious and appeared to throw something to the ground. The referee came to the side of the pitch clutching a bottle. That there were also allegations of racial abuse, with defender Coby Rowe targeted, percolated only gradually.

Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WHEN SATURDAY COMESSe alt
Pirate Transmission
When Saturday Comes

Pirate Transmission

Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Scandi Drama
When Saturday Comes

Scandi Drama

Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2019
Pot Of Gold
When Saturday Comes

Pot Of Gold

A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Digital Divide
When Saturday Comes

Digital Divide

From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2019
Haringey Ladder
When Saturday Comes

Haringey Ladder

The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
When Saturday Comes

Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0

Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2019
Room With A View
When Saturday Comes

Room With A View

Hampden Park

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
Not In The Script
When Saturday Comes

Not In The Script

ARSENAL FILM

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
Out Of Place...
When Saturday Comes

Out Of Place...

After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
Uncomfortable Truth
When Saturday Comes

Uncomfortable Truth

At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2017