Phil Hay has commented on the “pretty extraordinary” and “concerning” revelation provided by Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford.
Speaking on BBC’s My Mate’s a Footballer podcast [8 February], Bamford said that Leeds executives organized protection at his home during a “diabolical” incident last season.
The 30-year-old was harassed both on social media, causing him to close his accounts, and at his home after missing a penalty for Leeds in a Premier League match with Newcastle United.
In response to Bamford’s comments, The Athletic writer Hay said on his own Twitter account [8 February]: “This is quite extraordinary, and disturbing. Football as a whole has significant rage issues.”
Leeds United supporters take it too far.
It was already widely known that fans directed much of their rage toward Bamford as the relegation battle heated up.
However, it was not clear how terrible things got. It is one thing to criticize a footballer on social media; however, showing up at his home is simply unacceptable.
Bamford further said that the boisterous throng endangered his “little girl”. Again, nobody can be pardoned for this.
The striker has improved his Elland Road fortunes this season following a sluggish start, scoring four goals and assisting another in eight games for promotion-chasing Leeds.
Patrick Bamford was attacked by angry Leeds United supporters last season, but he has managed to put his Elland Road career back on track.
It should be noted that this is a relatively small minority of Leeds fans, yet it puts a pall over the entire fanbase.
This is a story that has been widely reported in the media, and it only serves to ruin supporters’ reputations.
We can only hope that those involved quickly learned their lesson. As for Bamford, it’s nice to see him happy again in a Leeds kit; long may it last.
