Donald: "I make no excuses"

Last updated : 27 April 2005 By Luke Thornhill
Over the weekend several travelling fans posted on the Iron-Bru.net complaining about Humberside Police's tactics during the day.

They talked about being forced into the Bucket and Spade pub in Cleethorpes and not being permitted to leave.

Others told of being given contradicting orders from different police officers, and being on the receiving end of aggresive behaviour from some PCs.

One even told of how he was pushed up against a wall by a police horse with enough force for it to collapse.

Twelve men were arrested throughout the day, four of whom were from Scunthorpe

Superintendent Stuart Donald was in charge of the operation, and his comments to local media declaring the policing of the day a success brought a furious reaction from Iron fans - whose memories of the day were somewhat different.

On Tuesday we published five questions in an open letter to Supt Donald.

This included asking why he had the audacity to complain about Scunthorpe fans being 'fuelled by alchohol' when around 400 had been forced to remain in a pub against their wishes.

But, speaking to the Scunthorpe Telegraph, Donald hit back

He said: "It was inevitable some innocent supporters would get drawn into the policing of the large number of people, claiming to be supporters, fuelled with drink and intent on disorder.

"I am sorry those people ruined it for others, but I make no excuses for the number of officers involved.

"There were occasions when my officers were in considerable danger and had I had more available they would have been used.

"Perhaps it is those who ruined the day for others who should be asked the question 'why?'."