The fan hit by an advertising hoarding during
the football match between Huddersfield and Northampton has today
defended the stewards at the game.
Northampton Town staff were criticised by some
Huddersfield Town fans, who said they failed to act quickly enough
to stop the sign from crashing into the crowd.
One fan however said that they were aware of the danger
and that the stewards were trying their best to get parts of the Town contingent to
safety when the drama happened.
Chris Chadwick, 34, from Heckmondwike, got an
8-inch-long cut to his chest when high winds blew the sign down at
the Sixfields Stadium on Saturday.
Companion Zoe Davison, 26, was hit on the head
and back by the sign.
Chris said: "The stewards did all they possibly
could.
"We are talking literally seconds before the
sign blew off.
"One told us to get back. Zoe bent down to pick
up her handbag and it fell."
Both fans were then struck by the sign, believed to
be made of plywood.
"It came straight at me at chest height."
His clothes were torn and ruined.
Northampton Twon staff immediately helped:
"Straight away a girl caught hold of Zoe, who was really upset."
The pair were hurried away and treated by St
John Ambulance crews (at the scene) and did not need hospital
treatment.
"About 25 police were standing there in front
of our fans, probably trying to stop them getting on the pitch.
There was a bit of confusion.
"It was
a freak accident and it just happened to us."
Northampton officials and bosses have offered to reimburse
the price of the clothes ruined during the incident aswell as travel expenses and
tickets for both him and Zoe.
"It could have been a lot worse," Chris said.
"It could have swung right into the crowd."
He added: "We are both fine. We'll both be at
the next match."
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