"SAYING it was fans without any proof reflects badly on the club and on the fans."
Those were the words of Grimsby Town Supporters' Club chairman Chris Parker following the attack on the Barnet team's coach on Saturday.
Critics on the Grimsby Telegraph website and on social networking sites were quick to blame the fans in the light of numerous arrests during recent FA Cup clashes with Scunthorpe United.
But both the club and the Supporters' Trust have pointed out that the brick that smashed the window could have been thrown by anyone, and not necessarily a fan.
The damage to the coach on Saturday was revealed by Edgar Davids on Twitter after the game.
Although the manager declined to talk to the press after their defeat, he posed for photographs with fans and signed autographs.
But shortly after leaving the Harrington Street exit, a brick was thrown at the team coach.
Davids posted a photo of the shattered window.
He said: "After a disappointing result and signing autographs for a while we got our window smashed as a thank you."
Afterwards, fans tweeted Davids, saying "Please don't think all of us GTFC fans are like that", he replied: "Certainly not, always the same small group. Hope we can give you (the real fans) a warm welcome and exit."
The 40-year-old, who was a cup winner with Italian side Juventus and also played for Barcelona and Ajax, graced Blundell Park for the full 90 minutes and added injury time.
A spokesperson from Barnet Football Club after the game said: "This was a regrettable incident especially in light of the courtesy and welcome we received from both the Grimsby Town Football Club and the fans.
"We like to make time at the end of the game to speak to fans and sign autographs but what took place was a disappointing end to the visit."
Stadium manager Nick Dale made it clear GTFC club would assist with any investigation launched by Humberside Police.
He said: "It happened on Harrington Street, so could have been carried out by anybody on the street, and not necessarily a fan.
"Because it happened so far away from the ground, it will not be covered by our CCTV.
"There were very few people hanging around after the game – and they were hanging around for the right reasons, to get Edgar Davids' autograph.
"He was a legend, and the fans were very happy to have him at the ground. He stayed behind to sign autographs and have his photograph taken with the fans."
Mr Parker said: "There are claims that this attack was committed by Grimsby Town fans, but these are just claims.
"From what I have been told there are regularly little incidents in this area as the away team leave.
"I am not saying that town fans were not involved but I certainly do not think it is a matter for the club.
"I think it is so wrong to say it was fans when there is no evidence to confirm or deny it.
"Saying it was fans without any proof reflects badly on the club and on the fans."
"This is a criminal act and is therefore a police matter."
The matter would need to be reported to police by Barnet Football Club, and at the time of going to press, a report had not been made as the club was yet to decide what their stance was regarding the incident.
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