Saturday, September 03, 2022

Fylde Make Complaint About Chester Assistant Manager

AFC Fylde have made a complaint to the FA about the Chester assistant manager and some of their supporters after efforts were made to break into Fylde dressing room.

There were reports of a 'foul-mouthed tirade' against Stephen Cowell, the Fylde kitman. Chester's assistant manager Colin Woodthrope was said to be involved.

The trouble appears to stem from Woodthrope being sacked by Fylde two years ago after he spent seven years as a coach at the club. Later he sued them for unfair dismissal.

It was a 'heated' game between the club with three red cards. Afterwards Woodthrope is alledged to have sworn at Cowell but says he didn't charge at him.

'I opened the dressing-room door to start loading the van and about 20 Chester fans piled in, trying to get at us,' Cowell told Sportsmail. 'Luckily there were three police officers there, and they dragged them away before they could do much damage. The police did a great job.

'I loaded the van, then went back to the dressing room to tidy up when Woodthorpe came at me out of nowhere. He just kept shouting, 'f*** off, f*** off, f*** off, dog's breath!' It was terrifying, but again the police pushed him away and shut the dressing-room door. 

'I was badly shaken up. I had to stop on the way home to compose myself. I still feel vulnerable. I'm 67 and have grandkids. I've worked in football my entire life and have never seen anything like this.'