I've just received a 'phone call from a good mate of mine who takes his family to 'Fax games who reads this messageboard, but doesn't post comments.
He's alarmed at the content of this particular topic and asked me if I'd make some of the facts known on here, rather than people speculate as to what happened.
He, his wife and two teenage kids were eye witnesses to the incident and have given a witness statement to the police, it was he who called the ambulance. He said that someone jumped on the injured man's back and he fell to the ground banging his head in the process and was put into the recovery position by ny mate's wife until the medics arrived.
It appears that it wasn't an act of thuggery, but a prank or something like that that went badly wrong.
I'd like to thank my mate for clearing this up and asking me to post on the forum, he & his family are clearly bothered by the whole event and some of the comments attatched to this topic.

I must admit I am appalled at what has happened to that lad. I was in the South stand and I saw quite a few lads who looked out of control. It is a sad fact that when some people get drunk they become nasty violent and abusive and lose all reason.

A sad reflection on a few peoples inappropriate behaviour. Had I witnessed the assault I would definately give the police a description of these thugs and if you know someone who saw it make sure they ring the number given on this thread.

Have just read Marrillion mans post after I posted mine.

Big shame something like this happened after such a great final. Hope the lads alright. Saw him after game in car park and it did look bad.

There were still quite a Fev fans around trying to cause problems after it had happened, and even 'celebrity' Fax fan Alan Carr got punched.

For balance though, I have to mention that there were Fev fans around trying to help the guy and seeming apologetic and concerned for what had happened.

Shame it's going to put so many off going to Fev in future really

this is from Warrington newspaper;

"A RUGBY fan has is fighting for his life after being attacked after the Halifax verses Featherstone clash.

The 32-year-old man, who is a Halifax rugby supporter, was returning to his coach at the car park on Dallam Lane, when he was attacked at around 8.15pm, yesterday, Sunday.

He suffered a serious head injury and is being treated at Walton Hospital after receiving emergency surgery.

Police say the car park was extremely busy with many fans returning to coaches.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or can assist in the investigation should call the police on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111. "

anyone who saw anything ought to get in touch as above. . its rugby we dont have this sort of thing happening in our game

Terrible news i really hope whoever it is makes a full recovery and the scumbags get caught. I must admit even as a neutral the Fev fans were playing up. I could see in the stand across some idiot stood up on somebodys shoulders causing a scene and upon leaving the ground you could feel eyes all over you as if they wanted to start a fight. Luckily we were dressed in normal clothing so avoided any hassle. The Halifax folk we were sat with all seemed decent down to earth folk.

in the 30 odd years i have watched rugby fev fans have always been the same

It looked a very aggresive prank if that's what it was. However, you are right, it certainly wasn't a largew group of people laying into him

Your a really intelligent bunch tarnishing the whole Fev support because of the behaviour of a few mindless idiots!! There's idiots amongst every set of fans, it reflects society. Remember one of your "ladies" started a deliberate fire in the toilets during the match, does that mean your all twisted firestarters?

Probably a few apologies needed then on here after many people have jumped to conclusions. What we do know is that someone in your stand started a fire. Wait, it'll have been the Oldham fans right?

Guys

Ive spoken to Neil Arber this morning. The young man attacked was on one of his coaches. He's now in Walton hospital in a coma having had two blood clots removed from his brain. The hospital are hoping that he will be OK once he comes out of the coma.

This is appalling and takes the gloss off what should have been a really great day out for Fax Fans and the Club.

When we were evacuated onto the pitch there were a few hot heads from both sides up for more than just banter. I and Steve Whitaker, one of the Fax stewards, were involved in trying to get Fax fans to move away from Fev fans and it certainly was intimidating just being there. The police brought dogs on to move the Fax fans which did seem a bit overkill to me .. And the fact that the police were video taping just fax fans did not help the situation.

However there is absolutely no excuse for the fact that a rugby fan is in hospital today seriously ill. If anyone who was making their way back to a coach be it a fax fan or a featherstone fan saw anything connected with this assault, you must tell the police what you saw.

Rugby League is a great game and we cannot let it be spoilt by idiots or incidents like this

Mike Riley

Phil.

I have to say that I agree with most of your post. I have been following fax for around 20 years now and I have been to Post Office Road on numerous occasions, for first and second team games and have to say that, whilst the Featherstone fans have been the most vocal that I have seen, they have in the most been nice enough people. I think to generalise that all people from Featherston are scum is completely and utterly out of order, we have had our problems in the past but it does not mean that everyone from Halifax are the same.

On the subject of the stewards, I think that they did the best they could in that situation. I have since watched it back on the tv and I have to say that the reason some of the fax fans were goading the Featherstone crowd is because as soon as they were evacuated onto the pitch the Featherstone crowd sang at them "W@anky, W@nky Halifax". This promped some fax fans to stand and wave their hands/fingers at the Featherstone crowd, so they are not entirely blameless.

All this apart, it cannot not ever justify the mindless thuggery that took place in the coach park and I agree with you that all should be done to find the perpetrators and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.

lets just stick to facts -

know one can be sure who and how the fire started - FACT

We know that a fax fan is in a critical condition due to Fev supporters - FACT

So apologies for what exactly?

faxhali
Yes, sadly the damage has been done and if I could undo it myself I would but we need to look forward and move on. It's a pity you won't come to Fev, I hope when the dust settles you will reconsider. Your fans produce a fantastic atmosphere when you visit and it would be a shame if you stayed away because of a tiny minority who try to ruin it for everyone else. I was at the Fev v Fax games at our ground this season and can't remember any trouble being reported but that is what has to happen, forums are okay but the club officials need to know at the time if something is amiss so they can sort it at the time.


I don't want to get into an argument about who started what but hands up, our fans were chanting as Fax fans went onto the pitch. It's a chant I find unnecessary.

I would like to see a lifetime ban for troublemakers and perhaps if these bans were advertised and fans realised that they were subject to the same treatment for misbehaving then they might think twice but sadly I doubt it.

Sadly I have heard different and David is not in a good way and has 2 blood clots on his brain.David is one of the nicest blokes you could meet and would not hurt a fly. Just hope he gets over this.