To what extent do you charge an amateur team with being responsible for the conduct of their fans at an away fixture in a professionally run stadium? We've all seen fights which could have developed into more than minor scuffles were it not for a police/security presence at SL grounds, yet no-one screams for clubs kicking out of SL as a result.



I'd say Donny are in more danger for failing to provide adequate policing or stewarding as the "home" team.

Ultimately its their responsibility, I'm not really interested in who called who or did what to who, ultimately Doncaster are responsible for the paying members of the public who attend the game, like for instance the grandparents of one of the players who I know who were caught right in the middle of the affray.



They know that and they have a lot of embarrassing questions to answer, the comment of their chief exec that I have read that stated that he was happy with their handling of the situation shows that he is way out of touch with what is expected of even a semi-pro club.

So was it the McCalpine stadium's management teams fault that the Hull fans got on the pitch in 2000? Surely if they'd provided adequate policing in the first place the whole thing would never have happened. No doubt Donny could be in trouble (especially if it's true that it was fans that phoned the Police, and not a member of staff at the stadium), but I don't think that they (the club) were the cause of the trouble, and that's what should be punished IMO.

Was it Hull FC as a club's fault that individuals claiming to be their fans got on the pitch?



Is it Queens ARLFC's fault that some individuals associated with them were involved in an altercation that was definitely not one sided?



What could either club have realistically done which they didn't to prevent it happening in the first place?

Maybe, although this would set a dangerous precedent if it meant that away fans could ensure their team's progress by orchestrating a ruck.

But in this case thats not applicable as the scores were very close IIRC

True - although I wasn't implying that either set of fans kicked off for this reason at this particular game. The point I intended making was that the RFL are highly unlikely to boot out Donny for failing to police their ground properly.

Even though its part of their license ?



(I agree though, its highly unlikely for the RFL to do anything too costly against one of its members)

The result will stand !



Can you believe it ? With 19 mins left to play ?

[urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/03/11/RUGBYL_Cup.html[/url



Not surprising really as its in accordance with the rules of abandoned games - by three minutes.



Its also a neat way to close the matter quickly without punishing the playing teams, but this comment suggests that there are still some organisational matters to address...

What's rare? The violence, or a the idea of a "full" investigation into something wrong with Rugby League?

Doncaster allowed through to ensure a better gate in next round

Hull play illegal player, Queens fans accused of fighting - nothing to do with the players.



The RFL are driven by money, nothing else

Don't know, I didn't write it

Thats right, Doncaster vs Gateshead could break the 600 mark.

And whats the odds on leeds playing away in Tyneside in the next round?

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/rugby-le ... 5069590.jp

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/rugby-le ... 5069590.jp

What a strange article for Mr Ledger to have written, its almost like he was drunk in a pub tap room at closing time ranting and raving about "Queens' reign of fear has continued largely unabated for 20 years" only to then realise he's stood next to a group of their supporters so he finishes with "Queens are actually a decent footballing side packed full of, and watched by decent people. "



You can't have it both ways John Ledger, they are either a club full of criminals (smoking cannabis on the touchline) and vicious thugs (injuring opposition players so bad that they have to retire), or they are packed full of decent players watched by decent folk - have the balls to decide which it is will you ?

He should go into politics Mcf

I think his editor fired him up to write a damning piece and then he got scared at the end.

He actually finishes with---[size=134"The sad thing is that, when they put their mind to it,[/size Queens are actually a decent footballing side packed full of, and watched by decent people".

I think the article is outrageous and woudnt be surprised to see an "apology" issued



Its also full of holes IMHO







It would be an interesting excercise to compare the Queens record with say...



Redhill. Belle Isle. Eastmoor. Criggleston. Hunslet Warriors. Prince of Wales. Morley. ... just to name a few.







I hope he can prove that statement... or his he protected by press pivilidge and allowed to make grossly inaccurate statements



Having been involved in the Yorkshire League for well over a decade the main issue with most clubs was BARLA Conference outfits playing their A teams in the lower ldivisions of the Yorkshire League.



Most teams felt these clubs had an unfair advantage...

Quote apologyThere must be no opportunity for a repeat of the behaviour witnessed among the Queens players and supporters at Doncaster '"

Again I hope he has evidence that Queens players were involved.



I should add I have no involvement with the Queens club and never have...except for being involved in a couple of cup tie games against them and without incident or any reluctance on the part of our players.

Not sure all the above is correct - both my sons have and still play and through their junior career they came up against Queens at various age groups - a bigger group of thugs you will not come against - thankfully the older boy's side more than matched them in the violence department which resulted in the parents coming onto the field to "help out" - bunch of bullies - and like all bullies didn't like it when the got some of their own medicine - this is club rotten to it core that should be disbanded.

Yep



I'd agree with DoubleAone to a point as well though, in that the article appears to be suggesting Queens are responsible for virtually all violence etc in the amateur game, when despite Queens being an infamous example, the problem is much more widespread and embedded in the amateur game, certainly in the north anyway.