Robbie Cowling: Colchester owner condemns 'mindless behaviour' by some fans at Ipswich
- Published
Colchester's previous visit to Ipswich was for an EFL Trophy tie in November 2021
Colchester United owner Robbie Cowling has hit out at some of the team's supporters for violent behaviour during Tuesday's Carabao Cup game at Ipswich.
The U's won a game at Portman Road for the first time since 1951 to reach round two of the competition.
Although in different counties, the two clubs are only 18 miles apart.
In a statement, Cowling said the club was having to "hang our head in shame" because of "mindless behaviour" by a number of fans in the Colchester end.
He continued:, external "It wasn't enough for them to spoil the occasion for everyone else by being ultra-abusive.
"They also sunk to a new low that I have not witnessed in my time at the club, whereby they destroyed some of the seating in the area Ipswich had allocated to our fans and threw the broken parts into the rows below them that were occupied by other Colchester United fans.
"These areas included families with very young children but that was of no concern for the mindless thugs that have shamed the club they claim to support.
"A number of Colchester United fans had to receive treatment for the injuries they sustained from the broken chairs that rained down on them. Some whilst they cowered to protect their young children."
The two clubs are now working together with the police to try and identify those responsible.
"I wish to apologise to everyone that was subjected to this appalling behaviour, and also to our hosts Ipswich Town who were gracious in defeat but rightfully upset with the behaviour of fans in our allocated area," Cowling added.
Brown proud of team discipline
Luke Hannant joined Colchester in the summer of 2021 and his goal against Ipswich was his first for the club
Luke Hannant's first-half goal was enough for Colchester to beat opponents from a division higher.
"We knew the opportunities were going to be limited but thankfully we got one in the back of the net and showed some really good discipline in our shape and in our performance," manager Wayne Brown told BBC Essex afterwards.
"The plan was to nullify the space in front of our back four which they thrive on and try and make them go around us.
"But then you have to defend crosses and I thought the two full-backs were exceptional, one making his debut, and we had seven academy products out there.
"It's a massive plus for the football club and the way we want to go about our business, to produce our own, given them opportunities when earned and they've definitely come through with flying colours."
Colchester only took one point from their first two league games of the season, with Saturday's 1-1 draw with Carlisle following a 3-2 defeat at Northampton.
But 1,300 supporters followed the team to Portman Road, the closest league ground to their own JobServe Community Stadium.
It was only their 10th visit there since the Division Three South victory 71 years ago.
Brown began his own playing career at Ipswich, making 40 appearances, and added: "It's a special place for me, it's where it all started, it's nice to come back as a manager and do well and get a result.
"But it's not about me, it's about the collective. I'm proud of each and every one of them."