Carlisle United slam 'disgraceful' abuse to Port Vale keeper

The visiting player claimed “a couple” of people in the Warwick Road End had told him to “go and hang yourself”.

The alleged incident happened in the second half of United’s 2-1 victory.

Ripley described the comments as “disgusting” and Carlisle, in a club statement, have apologised to Ripley and his club.

United, who said the comments were made by one fan, have spoken to Ripley and promised to do all they can to identify the culprit and “take the strongest possible action” against them, with the club also working with police on the matter.

Ripley has also received supportive comments from many Carlisle fans after he raised the subject on his social media accounts.

The 30-year-old wrote: “Really disappointed about the result yesterday against Carlisle but one thing that has stood out to me more than anything yesterday is what was being said to me behind the goal by a couple Carlisle fans!

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A post shared by Connor Ripley (@connor_ripley)

“I don’t mind people saying stuff to me normally and I will always give a bit back cause that’s who I am but in all my years playing football I’ve never had anyone tell me “go and hang yourself”.

“I think it’s disgusting and because I play for a different team to them they think they can say stuff like that whilst I am working!

“You don’t know what I’m going through and you don’t know if that could have had a serious effect on me.

“Maybe people just need to think that we’re just normal people with family and friends.

“Anyway thank you to the Carlisle fans that have messaged me about it I appreciate it!”

United said they “sincerely apologise” to former MIddlesbrough, Preston North End and Morecambe player Ripley and Port Vale.

Nigel Clibbens says he spoke to Ripley on Tuesday evening to apologise on the club's behalf. United say they are working with police over the incident (Image: Jon colman)

“The abuse he received was totally unacceptable and we condemn it in the strongest terms,” the club’s statement said.

“The young person making the comments does not represent our fans or what we were stand for as a club.

“These comments embarrass and shame us all. Sorry Connor, and sorry to Port Vale.

“We are working with the police to identify who was responsible and will act in the strongest possible manner.”

United are urging anyone with information on the incident to contact the club via enquiries@carlisleunited.co.uk or to contact the police.

Carlisle’s chief executive Nigel Clibbens added: “I was made aware of this tonight. I asked Paul Simpson to get me Connor’s number so I could speak to him straight away.

"I spoke to him earlier tonight and apologised personally on behalf of the club. 

"He was very understandably still angry and upset. No player deserves that abuse and we are truly sorry he suffered it. 

"He was able to give information about the incident and it was clearly prolonged abuse. I said that we do not tolerate this and will do our best to deal with it.

"We will do all we can to identify the culprit and take the strongest action we can. Fans close by will know who it was and I hope they will help as they have done in the past, by giving information.

United's home end has been revitalised by young fans in recent times - but has also seen a series of shameful incidents by a minority of individuals (Image: Barbara Abbott)

"Everyone knows the Warwick Road End has seen really positive developments in terms of atmosphere but it continues to see regular incidents of disorder and now abuse. It’s extraordinarily disappointing. 

"We appeal to fans to stop and behave. This cannot go on."

It is the latest incident where a minority of fans have tarnished the otherwise positive growth of the Warwick in recent times.

While a number of proactive young fans have earned praise for revitalising the stadium's home end, a series of incidents have brought shame to the terrace.

United were last season fined over racist chanting from the Warwick during the game against Bradford City on Boxing Day 2022.

The club have been in disciplinary hot water over other fan incidents while this season, the game against Leyton Orient in October saw a firework let off in the Warwick and a banner, created after a supporters’ fundraising drive, was damaged.