A FEMALE Reading FC fan has been left with a sore head after reportedly being hit with an advertising board as tensions heightened at the club's clash against Kidderminster Harriers.
Flares were set off, the pitch was invaded, and a player's family member was allegedly threatened as emotions ran high following Reading's defeat to the National League North side on Saturday.
More than 1,400 Royals supporters had travelled up to Aggborough Stadium in Worcestershire in high spirits and hopes of a win.
But witnesses reported trouble starting before the match kicked off at 3pm, with anger brewing due to lengthy queues to enter the stadium. A large group were seen to have forced entry through an exit door.
Once inside, fans reported the terraces were packed. Supporters were standing on the pitch-level directly behind the advertising hoardings, something not generally allowed due to health and safety.
Thanks to the idiot who thought it was clever to throw an advertisement hoarding around the away end I now have a massive lump on my head. Better win for the pain. @ReadingFC @STARReading
— vicci elliot (@viccielliot) January 8, 2022
Fantastic scenes here at Kidderminster. What a win for the Harriers, coming back to win 2-1 against Championship outfit Reading
— Archie Corbett (@archcorbett) January 8, 2022
Magic of the cup! #FACup pic.twitter.com/o69K1Bz4zG
One fan who felt the full force of one of these hoardings was Vicci Elliot, an away-day regular of more than 20 years and deputy chair of the Supporters' Trust at Reading.
Speaking about her ordeal, Vicci said: "I saw the lad pick up the advertising hoarding.
"The one that took off the advertising hoarding was not the one that hit me.
"He threw it, he got kicked out and I didn’t think much of it, but then it landed on my head. I heard through someone on Twitter that it was the same person who threw the flare on the pitch.
"He obviously didn’t set out to hurt someone, I just don’t think they thought before they did it, but he still didn’t look particularly sorry for any of it.
"If it had hit a kid or an older person it could’ve done much more damage.
"I am alright now fortunately; the lump has gone but it is still quite sore.
"I am just thankful that it was not more serious."
They chucked the guy out that ripped up and threw it into crowd -although not arrested I believe. One guy then marched the guy who hit me with it to apologise to me. Not sure what good that was. Yes worse game I’ve been to & I have been to virtually every game home/away since 98
— vicci elliot (@viccielliot) January 9, 2022
Separately, Reading player Tom Homes saying that someone tried to attack a member of his family in the away end.
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic was left fuming with the home supporters who invaded the pitch to celebrate the result.
This is just disgraceful. Hopefully whoever it was is banned for life. #readingfc pic.twitter.com/hRXE5atTE6
— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) January 8, 2022
Reflecting on the match and the chaotic scenes, Vicci said she feels Kidderminster fans have 'a lot to learn' before they face West Ham in the next round.
Saturday's events may drawn comparisons to when Reading faced Stevenage in the FA Cup in 2018.
A 0-0 draw at the League Two side was met with similar discontent from the travelling army of Reading fans, but Vicci feels Saturday was much worse.
She told The Chronicle: "There were people looking for trouble before we got into the ground.
"Everyone seems to be talking about the result but nobody seems to be too concerned about the trouble.
"Most of the fans weren’t involved in it, just caught up in it.
"I was sat in the car thinking, 'I’m not sure if I really want to go back.'"
'Fans have a lot to learn'
However taking nothing away from the actions of a small minority, Vicci believes that 'Kidderminster Harriers have a lot to learn' before their glamour tie with Premier League side West Ham United in Round Four.
She added: "They can’t do much about the fact that there are not many turnstiles, but it is quite scary to think what might happen if they have not learnt any lessons when West Ham visit as they’re a bigger club who can attract more people."
Kidderminster Harriers and Reading FC have been contacted for comment.
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