Nathan Ashmore has revealed how the abuse he suffered from the terraces ‘broke him’ during a game and he wanted to walk off the pitch.
The Ebbsfleet United goalkeeper said he is subjected to abuse week in week out and he joined Jim White on talkSPORT to raise awareness about the issue.
“There was only one time when I thought ‘I’m coming off this pitch’ and that was the FA Cup game,” Ashmore said. “It did break me that game.”
“It was not racist abuse but other abuse, which is just as bad. It was horrible.
“I had a tear to my eye while I was playing. I remember looking at the steward and he just looked at me like ‘I’m not doing anything’.
“I just didn’t want to play. I wanted to get off the pitch.
“Because of a new manager coming in I didn’t want to walk off the pitch unless 100 per cent necessary. I want to play but at that time it was tough.”
Ashmore hit the headlines this season when he jumped over the advertising boards in Ebbsfleet’s match at Boreham Wood in the National League to confront fans who had been abusing him during the game.
Boreham Wood issued a statement following the incident apologising to Ashmore after supporters allegedly called him a ‘nonce’.
The 28-year-old suffered further alleged abuse on Saturday during Ebbsfleet’s 3-3 draw with Chesterfield and an investigation was launched after a supporter allegedly kicked the goalkeeper.
Chesterfield came back from 3-0 down to score a stoppage time equaliser, which saw several home fans invade the pitch.
Ashmore said: “I lost the love of the game, I really did, and it really did hurt. I suffered quite badly at home. I didn’t sleep.
“I was getting messages. Even from the stuff that was happening at the weekend. I went on my phone and I got the message “you nonce”.
“Everything is personal on my Twitter account and Instagram. But even if they can still send you messages you have to accept it. Even if you want to delete it you still see the message before you delete it.
“For a neutral it was a great game. I was subjected to loads of abuse through the second half. We were 3-0 up and Chesterfield were chasing the game.
“We conceded one goal early in the second half and the crowd get into it.
“I think at 3-1 I will time waste. As you do as a keeper. It is called game management. Every keeper does it and every club in the world does it.
“It’s what you have to do to break the game down. It’s not cheating.
“The crowd don’t like this and I get fouled and I get subjected to more abuse.
“When they scored to make it 3-3 all carnage broke loose.”
Chesterfield issued a statement following the match saying they will be fully co-operating with a Derbyshire Police and FA investigation.
The statement said: “Incidents which occurred towards the end of today’s game against Ebbsfleet United are not acceptable to Chesterfield Football Club and the club condemns the conduct of a minority of supporters.
“The club will fully co-operate with Derbyshire Police and the FA investigation which is now underway. The implications for the club are very serious and an appeal is made to supporters to not engage in matters of pitch encroachment at any time. There have also been a number of serious allegations relating to racial abuse and physical contact involving opposition players.
“The club intends to deal with these matters strongly and as and when individuals are identified, banning orders will be issued. We would urge anyone with information about the incidents to contact the club. All communication will be dealt with on a confidential basis.”
