I’m 5ft and was left dizzy when falling Maidstone fan crushed me – but Ipswich FC didn’t even offer me a cup of tea

10 months ago 58

A 5ft FOOTBALL fan was left dizzy when a falling Maidstone supporter crushed her – but says her beloved Ipswich Town FC didn’t even offer her a cup of tea.

Sixth-tier Maidstone pulled off a huge FA Cup upset after beating second-placed Championship side Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The man landed on Ipswich fan Jo Peters (pictured on Saturday before the game)[/caption]

Lamar Reynold’s strike just before half time sent the 4,500 travelling Maidstone fans into bedlam – with one man tumbling down the roof onto a group of Ipswich fans in the tier below.

Jo Peters, 51, said she bore the brunt of the 6ft-tall Maidstone fan’s fall before he bounced onto an elderly man in front of her.

Mum-of-three Jo told The Sun: “He kicked me hard in the back of the head and on my back.

“I’m just 5ft1 and have scoliosis – God knows how I’ll feel tomorrow.

“My first reaction was anger, then shock. I said, “You just fell on me – what the f***.

“He was totally intoxicated and couldn’t get up until the stewards flew up and chucked him out.”

First aiders checked Jo at the edge of the pitch after the blow to her head left her feeling dizzy.

She felt nauseated and breathless throughout the second half, saying she was “oblivious” when Ipswich briefly went level.

‘FOBBED OFF’

The elderly man who was also knocked by the tumbling Maidstone fan was reportedly in good spirits, cheering when Jeremy Sarmiento scored in the 56th minute.

But when Maidstone went back just ahead ten minutes later, Jo gripped the ledge behind her for fear of getting hurt again.

Jo said: “We asked to speak to the stadium management and were taken to the directors’ box.

“They didn’t even offer me a cup of tea – and told me that accidents happen and it was no one’s fault.

“I feel let down by my club. I’ve been going to Ipswich for ten years and love it – but they just fobbed me off.

“I’ve never seen a group of away fans as hostile as Maidstone today – there were nowhere near enough stewards or police.”

She added: “The officer who I spoke to told me they haven’t got enough resources.

“But after the guy fell suddenly there were cops boxing off the away section – why weren’t they there in the first place?

“I’ve seen the footage of two or three more away fans getting held up after they fell over the barrier.

“If they had fallen too, they could have landed on a little kid or someone in a wheelchair.

“I’d have been even worse off if I was standing – I’m never going back to that stand under the away fans.”

‘LIKE A WARZONE’

Jo’s partner Aaron is a lifelong Ipswich fan whose family have been going to Portman Road for over a century.

The 43-year-old has even worked at the stadium and knows it inside out.

Aaron told The Sun: “They gave the whole of the top tier to Maidstone but didn’t box them in away from the home fans.

“It would never have happened back in the day when there were far more cops and stewards.

“I’m a true blue, I’ve been countless times and have never seen it that bad. It was like a warzone today.

“The club is responsible for everyone being safe – the people we spoke to were out of their depth.

“I’ve been going for 43 years. It’s not good enough and no way to treat anyone – let alone a lifelong fan.

“A man fell out of the air and landed on Jo’s lap but the club just blamed the police and the police blamed the club.

“I’ll never stop loving my club and will never stop going to games – but we want an apology in writing from the very top.

“The owners are putting profit before safety.”

Ipswich Town said it was investigating the incident, and will ensure those affected are contacted and updated with an outcome.

Earlier today, a spokesperson said: “The Club is aware of an incident involving a Maidstone United supporter in the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road during today’s Emirates FA Cup fourth-round fixture.

“The Club is investigating the issue thoroughly.”

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