Wash your mouths out! Swearing banned at stadium
14:13, 01 August 2008
Ebbsfleet United are banning foul and abusive language at their home games.
The club have announced they will not tolerate swearing as they try to attract new supporters on the back of last season's glorious FA Trophy run.
Chief executive David Davis wants to broaden the Blue Square Premier side's fan base and is considering introducing a separate family enclosure at Stonebridge Road in an effort to generate higher gate receipts.
Mr Davies was prompted to act after a friendly against Charlton. He claims families left the ground due to persistent sexually-explicit language from a minority of fans in the terraces.
He said: "We had new fans there that had a fabulous day with us at Wembley and were clearly upset. I saw families leaving and I saw parents covering their children's ears."
Ebbsfleet are not going to punish supporters for the odd curse but are aiming their clampdown on the small minority who behave persistently badly.
"What we are talking about is the really bad behaviour that seems to be building in a certain section of the crowd," added Mr Davies.
"That goes for racist comments and I have also discovered that people are trying various tricks such as bringing alcohol into the ground.
"It is almost a standard business challenge - increase attendance and reduce costs - but there is also a moral point to it. There are ends to which people shouldn't go and certainly which children shouldn't be subjected to."
~ Feel like reliving that glorious day in May? Check out our Fleet at Wembley special report >>>
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