Kent football: Violent incidents at matches between players, referees and spectators on the rise

Referees being attacked, dozens of grown men running onto a children’s pitch to brawl, and young footballers fighting each other – violence in grassroots football has been on the rise in recent seasons, but what do those involved in the game think?

Over the past year, several unsavoury incidents have taken place across Kent football, but why is anger spilling onto the pitch? And can it be stopped? Sean McPolin reports…

Last year KentOnline readers were left in shock at footage of grown men storming the pitch of an under-10s game to fight each other, after a scrap initially broke out between the young players.

The incident happened at Brookfield School, Larkfield, and involved Sheppey United Youth FC and Rochester’s Greenways FC.

Months later, a brawl broke out between spectators at an Ebbsfleet United and Welling United under-16s match.

In the past 24 months, several similar incidents have been shared online, both at youth games and adult competitions – including Whitstable Town’s clash with Fisher FC back in April.

One mum, who didn’t want to be named as her son plays in the county, told KentOnline she thinks football in Kent isn’t safe.

“Authorities need to do more to protect our children,” she said.

The concerned parent witnessed a 15-year-old boy being punched several times by another player at the Ebbsfleet-Welling match previously mentioned.

She continued: “I do not want my son being involved in grassroots football anymore in the county – this seems to be the norm and accepted now.

“Something has got to change as I fear a lot of players will give up football and resort to taking on other hobbies because they don’t feel safe.”

The mother says her son has been involved in the game for more than seven years,