FA stewards drafted in to watch fans at Shropshire semi-final

Stewards have been drafted in to police a Sunday football match in Shropshire after one of the clubs involved was charged with failing to control supporters.

Shropshire FA has hired four stewards to keep an eye on fans at the Dyke Yaxley Shropshire Sunday Premier Cup semi-final between the Plough Inn from Wellington and Randlay Farmhouse 09 tomorrow at Shifnal Town's Phoenix Park stadium at 10.30am.

The move, which has only ever been implemented for cup finals before, follows allegations of trouble by supporters of Randley during their quarter-final tie with Oswestry's Oak Inn last Sunday.

A smoke canister was allegedly thrown onto the pitch by Randlay fans and complaints were made to Shropshire FA about trouble during the match.

Today Neil Sambrook, general manager of Shropshire FA, said Randlay had since been charged with breaching ground regulations by bringing alcohol into a stadium and abusive, threatening and racist chanting. Randlay has 14 days to answer the charges.

Mr Sambrook said introducing the stewards was a precautionary measure.

He said: "This is the first time we have had to do this, other than in cup finals, and Shropshire FA will pay for it."

Randlay Farmhouse secretary Michael Roberts said the club would answer all of the charges. He added: "I've got to speak with the club before I can comment."

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