June 15, 2020 4.44 pm This story is over 45 months old

Grimsby FC slams ‘football lads’ causing trouble at Black Lives Matter protest

Grimsby Town FC condemned their behaviour unreservedly
Humberside Police said the protest was largely peaceful, but a small group of people not protesting decided to use it as an opportunity to behave "inappropriately, threatening and assaulting officers". Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Grimsby Town FC has condemned the behaviour of “certain individuals wearing the club’s shirts and chanting songs associated with the club” whilst opposing the Black Lives Matter march in Cleethorpes on Saturday.

Hundreds gathered for the peaceful protest on June 13 to highlight the problem of racism in Lincolnshire. The protest started at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and was organised by a group called Black Lives Matter Lincolnshire.

Humberside Police said the protest was largely peaceful, but a small group of people not protesting decided to use it as an opportunity to behave “inappropriately, threatening and assaulting officers”.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and police had to pepper-spray a group of them.

Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

The counter-protest group was trying to get close to the peaceful BLM march. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Grimsby Town FC said it “condemns such behaviour unreservedly” and appropriate action will taken.

The football club said in a statement: “The Club has seen reports of the behaviour of certain individuals wearing town shirts and chanting songs associated with the club whilst opposing the Black Lives Matter march at Cleethorpes on Saturday.

“Grimsby Town Football Club condemns such behaviour unreservedly. We cannot control who wears such shirts and what they say, but we can and we do make it clear to them that they are not welcome at Blundell Park and appropriate action will be taken against them at the stadium.

“True fans do not besmirch the reputation of the club. The Grimsby Town Sports and Education Trust, the club and the Mariners Trust have worked hard over recent years with the Common Ground project to ensure that Blundell Park is a safe environment for all regardless of their ethnicity.”