Abuse mars match

The youngsters from Newbuildings United were called "Jaffa b******s!" and subjected to a hail of stones when they travelled to the Foyle Road playing fields for a Derry and District (D&D) youth fixture on May 4, it has been claimed.

An official letter of complaint has been forwarded to the D&D whilst local DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney says the association needs to look at the introduction of extra marshalls at games to ensure this does not happen again.

Chairman of the D&D Michael Hutton said the fixtures secretary of the youth league has been asked not to schedule games involving Newbuildings United at the Daisyfield in the immediate future.

The letter of complaint sent by Newbuildings United to the association reads: "Near the end of match a group of youths gathered behind our net. These youths proceeded to verbally abuse our goalkeeper using religious taunts.

"At the final whistle these youths followed our team to the changing room threatening several of our players with physical violence asking them 'who they thought they were coming over here' and 'we know who you are,'" it adds.

The abuse continued as the team exited the changing room and headed towards the club's transport. A group of up to eight youths followed the team throwing stones at them, the club states.

The club was forced to travel home via Bishop Street as a group of 15 youths had assembled in Foyle Road between the playing fields and Craigavon Bridge, the letter further explains.

A Newbuildings official stressed that a small group unconnected with the opposition club were involved in the ugly scenes and that the last thing the club wants is to have to play all its games in the Waterside in future.

Notwithstanding the goodwill from Newbuildings United and other D&D clubs the intimidation of children is a cause of deep concern for parents, he said, and the future viability of fixtures involving the club at this particular venue has been thrown into question.

"It was quite intimidating for children of that age. As they made their way to the club changing rooms stones were thrown at them," a spokesman for the club said.

"A lot of work has been done towards building good relations and I would like to think we will play in the cityside in future. We don't want to have to play all our games in the Waterside," he added.

"My view is that this was a minority of young people that were involved. But it doesn't take away from the fact that it happened," he concluded.

DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney said the incident was of some concern and the D&D may need to look at the introduction of extra stewards to oversee games at the Daisyfield.

"I think this is wrong and has to be condemned," said Mr Devenney. "What I've been told is that it had nothing to do with the youth team. But how do we police these games. How do you control these idiots.

"It is something the D&D need to look at. Perhaps extra marshalls for these games could be introduced," he added.