THE CHIEF executive of Nuneaton Town Football Club has apologised to Sky Blues supporters after tweet sent from the club’s official account about their off-field problems caused outrage.
The two sides met for their annual pre-season friendly on Saturday, but it was abandoned after an hour when a huge thunderstorm hit Liberty Way.
After the storm a group of Sky Blues fans took to the pitch and dived along the soaking grass, which prompted a tweet from @Official_NTFC.
It read: “Cov fans still on pitch. Well if you don’t have your own ground I suppose you lose that sense of respect.”
Silly
Sky Blues fans reacted in anger to the tweet with several labelling Nuneaton ‘silly’ and ‘idiotic’.
And Boro chief executive Ian Neale issued a full apology to the Sky Blues for what he described as an ‘unfortunate and unsatisfactory’ comment made by a club volunteer.
He said: “It is unfortunate that one of our media volunteers expressed his opinion and that caused some upset among some Coventry City fans.
“We do rely on, and appreciate, the support given by volunteers but at the same time we trust the service is going to be fit for purpose.
“The tweet was meant for the supporters that had entered the field of play, however the message did cause upset to a some Sky Blue fans.
“For this I apologise unreservedly on behalf of Nuneaton Town Football Club to Coventry City and its supporters.”
The fans who went onto the pitch were in breach of the Football (Offences) Act 1991 which can include a banning order.
Understood
But Mr Neale, who is a former CCFC associate director, said he understood the frustrations of Sky Blues supporters.
He added: “We have ourselves faced challenging times which were for our supporters very challenging and emotionally charged issues.
“I know from dealing with these difficult circumstances first hand know how much passion and emotion it can bring for fans.
“We endeavour to ensure that we at all times provide a warm welcome for all our own and visiting fans at the club.
“I wish CCFC and its fans a very successful season ahead and look to continue to develop the mutually beneficial relationship that has been formed over the last seven years.
“We hope we can all move on and get down to the season ahead.”
After the storm the pitch looked more like a paddy field and after a very brief pitch inspection the officials decided to call off the match. 30.014.012.cov.jm4
