Allan Ross, the Horncastle Town manager who was subject to alleged racial abuse at a match last year, has said police did not tell him that the suspect had been charged.
A 65-year-old man, Peter Chapman of Chapel Lane, Spalding, was charged by police on Thursday after an alleged hate crime aimed at Allan Ross during a game between Pinchbeck United and Lutterworth Town on October 31.
During the game, Chapman is believed to have said to Pinchbeck chairman Gary Coomes: “I see you’ve let a wog in the stadium”, referring to the Horncastle manager, who was there as a spectator.
The Lincolnite were the ones who broke the news to Allan of Chapman’s charge, and he told us he was “in complete shock” at not being informed.
Horncastle Town FC manager Allan Ross claims he was subjected to racial abuse when he attended a match between Pinchbeck United and Lutterworth Town.
He said: “It comes as news to me, there has been very little communication between myself and Lincolnshire Police since my statement was taken.
“I am shocked to hear about this from a news outlet rather than the police, but also not really surprised given the poor communication I’ve had since the incident.”
Speaking about the incident from October, Allan also said: “I’ve turned the page onto a new chapter in my life.
“There will always be hatred and racism in the world, I had previously acknowledged instances, but at that time I had just had enough.
“I felt a responsibility to come forward, because nothing will ever get resolved if nobody speaks about these issues.
“A lot of the anti-racism campaigns are targeted at professional football, but the most education is needed at grassroots level.”
Allan Ross has called for more focus on education against racism at a grassroots level of football. | Photo: Horncastle Town FC
Allan Ross continued: “It’s in the hands of the court now, hopefully this man is charged and will take ownership of his actions.
“I am so proud and happy with the messages of support from the public, it has given me the confidence I needed to feel as though I did the right thing by speaking up.
“It is refreshing to know that not everyone sees you as a threat due to the colour of your skin.”
Pinchbeck United were charged by the Lincolnshire FA for failing to control spectators, and were issued a £50 fine as well as a warning about future conduct.
Allan empathised with the club, saying: “It’s incredibly difficult for football clubs at this level to prevent things like this.
“There are no police or stewards in the grounds of non-league football, but this is down to the actions of an individual and not a football club.”
The Lincolnite has contacted Lincolnshire Police about the situation, but are yet to receive a reply.
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There have been 88 new coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and one COVID-related death on Monday as restrictions eased across the UK as part of the PM’s roadmap out of lockdown.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard on April 12 recorded 58 new cases in Lincolnshire, 16 in North East Lincolnshire and 14 in North Lincolnshire.
On Monday, one death was recorded in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. This figure includes deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported no changes to the hospital death figures across the region, which still stands at 1,300 from a week ago.
Nationally, cases increased by 3,568 to 4,373,343, while deaths rose by 13 to 127,100.
In local news, North Kesteven has the most over 50s vaccinated with the first dose of a COVID-19 jab in Lincolnshire, whereas Boston has the least.
However, South Kesteven has the most 18 to 49 year olds vaccinated in Greater Lincolnshire with Lincoln having the least, according to research by Sky News.
There were 398 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and 10 COVID-related deaths last week — a 43% drop in cases and 23% fewer deaths compared to the previous week.
Hundreds of people queued outside Debenhams and at several barbers and salons in the city as Lincoln, and the rest of England, entered the next stage of the roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, April 12. The pubs and bars had a good day too.
The latest rules allow for the retail sector to fully reopen its doors for customers again, two weeks after the previous lockdown easing on March 29 which resumed outdoor socialising for up to six people – see the list of rules here.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Monday, April 12
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
58,722 cases (up 88)
40,909 in Lincolnshire (up 58)
9,226 in North Lincolnshire (up 14)
8,587 in North East Lincolnshire (up 16)
2,182 deaths (up one)
1,610 from Lincolnshire (up one)
304 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,300 hospital deaths (no change)
808 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
4,373,343 UK cases, 127,100 deaths
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE LATEST UPDATE. POSTCODE DATA INCLUDES DEATHS NOT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR IN HOSPITALS OUTSIDE AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES.