Leeds United Bans A Great-grandmother Due To Invading The Pitch

[Lando 249]

Since this incident happened in May, this may be a repost with my apologies in advance. Anyhoo, thought this may be worth a chuckle. You can view the video at the link below.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/leeds_united_elland_road_ban_for_great_grandma_video_1_3507494

A great-grandma has been banned from Leeds United for 12 months after she went onto the pitch.

Margaret ‘Mags’ Musgrove was handed the automatic ban and had her season ticket seized after she went onto the grass at Elland Road during the last game of the season against Burnley in May.

TV footage shows her stepping out of the North Stand and approaching players with her arms in the air.

But club stewards then grab 5ft 4in-tall Margaret and hauled her into the club’s holding cells.

She was arrested by police but later released without charge.

Now the 63-year-old, who has 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, is pleading with the club’s bosses to reduce the punishment.

She also claims to be owed hundreds of pounds after paying instalments towards the 2011/12 senior citizens’ season ticket which costs from £363.

Margaret said: “It’s not like I am a hooligan. People who do much worse than this get the same ban.

“A suspension from a few games would have hurt, but I already feel like I have been punished enough.”

Asked what she intended to do when she ran towards the players, Margaret added: “I just wanted to shout, ‘Lads, I love you’.

“I had my Leeds United bag across my chest and a United flag tied around my waste. It was hardly threatening.”

She added: “I’ve followed Leeds for years - I just got carried away.

“I don’t go out, Leeds United is my social life.”

Margaret’s campaign to be allowed to watch the Mighty Whites, who she has supported for 40 years, has gained an army of online supporters.

More than 350 people have joined the Facebook group ‘Give Mags Musgrove Her Season Ticket Back Mr Bates’.

While many others have signed up to ‘Mags Musgrove is a Legend’.

Her cause has also been highlighted in an online petition at www.thepetitionsite.com.

Margaret has also written a number of letters to the club begging that the ban be lifted.

But Leeds United safety officer Sue Kilroy has maintained it will remain in place until May 2012.

In a letter to Margaret, Ms Kilroy said: “It is a requirement of attendance at Leeds United home and away fixtures that supporters do not behave in any way contrary to the rules and regulations of the Football Association, Leeds United Football Club or the equivalent policies and rules at other Association Football Clubs.

“We have reason to believe that [Margaret Musgrove] may have acted in breach of these requirements.

“Accordingly you are suspended from all fixtures and your right to purchase tickets to attend away fixtures is also suspended.”

A club spokesman told the YEP that “repeated pleas” were made throughout the game for people not to encroach onto the grassed playing area and that it is club policy to suspend people who break this rule.

He said Mrs Musgrove was welcome to appeal the decision.

Refunds are not made to supporters who are suspended due to a breach of club policy, he said.