Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson gives his views on club's action over fan 'incidents'

A section of the Paddock terrace - **see image at top of article** - will be cordoned off from this weekend’s game.

The Blues have said other action is being considered, including making away tickets available only to season-ticket holders if things do not improve.

United said it was in response to a series of incidents, some of which are under Football Association investigation.

A number of fans have criticised the measures, describing it as an overreaction.

But Simpson said the club had little option but to put certain things in place.

“It’s been a difficult thing for the club to do and it isn’t pleasant,” he said, speaking at his weekly press conference.

“I know the club have been racking their brains over the past couple of weeks since the Leyton Orient game about the best way to resolve it.

READ MORE: Blues warn they could put restrictions on away tickets

“We’re being investigated by the FA over that and another incident which isn’t pleasant.

“It tarnishes the club’s reputation and more importantly it tarnishes the reputation of the majority of our supporters who are superb.

“There’s been lots of discussions going on, I haven’t been involved in them but I know the fan groups have been involved and all understood the measures that had to be taken.

“We know it will upset some people but it’s the right thing to do because it has gone too far.”

Alleged incidents under investigation include claims by Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens that a coin was thrown at him at Brunton Park.

Incidents at away games against Hartlepool United and Stockport County are also under the microscope, Carlisle have said.

The cordoning-off of an area behind the dugouts in the Paddock will hopefully be a "short-term measure", the Blues added today.

Some fans have described United’s actions as over the top, claiming it has risked damaging the good feeling between fans and club, also asking why the measures were taken when the Orient investigation has yet to be concluded.

But Simpson said: “I certainly think some action had to be taken. We can’t just bury our head in the sand and say, 'we’ll be ok'.

“There is a tiny fraction of people who are affecting it for others.

Paul Simpson (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Really, we don’t want to be getting punished by the FA. We’ve spoken about money coming into the pot [through the FA Cup, for example], and all the money comes out of that pot if we get a financial penalty onto us.

“I think the club have been strong in the action they’ve taken and I just hope this action produces a positive result.”

While the Orient game remains under investigation, with the FA not yet commenting, Simpson said certain things “went too far” that day.

He added that behaviour at football grounds in general, from a minority of people, needs to improve.

“I’ve been on the receiving end of some vile abuse at other grounds,” he said.

“This hasn’t been a question to me, but I’ve heard managers being questioned about their sexuality. I’ve had people questioning things about my wife and my mum…that’s not acceptable.

“It wouldn’t be acceptable in any other walk of life.

“We are talking about a tiny fraction of people who are overstepping the mark. I don’t know what’s going on in our society at the moment.

“I’ve been on the receiving end of this abuse that goes on. Last season [Stevenage manager] Steve Evans wanted to fight me going up the tunnel because of things that the fans were doing to Steve.

“I had to step in in the first half and have a go at our own fans for what they were doing to Steve Evans, it was out of order.

“For me there’s no place for it.”

READ MORE: Team news ahead of Carlisle United v Tranmere Rovers

Simpson said that while it was “really unfortunate” that some fans would not be able to stand in their usual places at Brunton Park, he hoped they would continue to get behind the team.

“I get that everybody is a creature of habit,” he said. “When I used to come to Brunton Park with my dad, he used to stand on the same spot on the Warwick Road End, the same railing, and I used to stand in the kids’ pen, lower down.

“When I was able to get thrown back over the fence and didn’t get taken out by the stick of the guy that looked after the kids’ pen, I used to sit on the same spot on the railings on the Warwick Road End.

“We are creature of habit. So there will be people who will be annoyed at having to move. But we’re talking moving ten to 15 yards to your left or right. It isn’t going to change the way the game looks.

“It’s really unfortunate for those people who do behave themselves that a small minority have caused this. Sadly that’s the way of the world, that a small minority do spoil it.

“I don’t get where anybody thinks it’s acceptable behaviour to do the things that have been going on there. Hopefully this nips it in the bud.”

Simpson stressed that the vast majority of United fans had been “magnificent” since he returned to the club in February, and the problems related to a “tiny fraction”.

He said that was the case wherever in the game such problems came up.

“If somebody questions my team, [says] my players are not very good, my tactics…’You don’t know what you’re doing’ is the usual shout…I totally accept that,” he said.

“They pay their money, they are perfectly entitled to do that.

“When you start getting other things…if somebody walks down the street and somebody else comes and starts questioning your mum or wife, chances are there’s going to be a fight.

“Some people believe it’s totally acceptable to say those things at football. I don’t. I have to stand there and take it.

“I remember years ago a guy sitting with a little girl on his knee who looked about five or six, and he was telling her to swear at me.

“I just don’t get it. It needs to be stopped. I think our country is a better country than what we experience at times from supporters. We’re talking about a fraction, tiny fraction of people, not the majority of our football fans.

“Our fans on the whole have been magnificent from the day I came back last February.”

Some Blues fans have also criticised the touchline behaviour of Wellens and some of his coaching staff at the Orient game.

Simpson, speaking generally, said it was important that managers and coaches behaved appropriately.

“We have a massive responsibility,” he said. “I know it’s an emotional game, we all get excited and carried away and we probably do things we all regret afterwards.

“I still don’t believe there is any line where coins or anything should be thrown. I don’t believe any manager or coach in the technical area could do something that takes it over the edge that you get a coin thrown at you, if that’s what happened.

“But I totally agree, we have a massive responsibility to behave properly. The players do, and that’s what I try to do, what I speak to our staff and players about.

“One of my big messages before going to Tranmere, on a slide on our game plan, was in big words highlighted at the bottom: ‘Discipline’.

“That’s me and our staff as well as players. I think that’s important. We have to set an example. I’ve had one game where I went in the dressing room at half time and apologised to the players. I said, ‘I’m asking you to keep your heads, I’ve just lost mine, I’m sorry, it won’t happen again’.

“We have to do it. We’ve got a responsibility to behave properly.”