- Players and supporters across the country were remembering the fallen today
- But some fans at Birmingham versus Northampton disrupted proceedings
- Things quietened down during The Last Post but more shouts head later on
This is the shocking moment supporters interrupted a minute’s silence during Remembrance weekend sparking anger at the ‘disrespectful’ behaviour.
Northampton travelled to Birmingham City on Saturday hoping to create more daylight between them and the League One relegation zone.
Blues, meanwhile, have lost just one league match all season and were tied on points with leaders Wycombe Wanderers heading into the game at St Andrew’s.
The high-flying home side took the lead on 58 minutes through Jay Stansfield and seemed to be cruising to another victory until a 96th minute equaliser from Mitch Pinnock rescued a point for Northampton.
But the dramatic League One encounter was marred by scenes before the match which saw supporters shout while a minute’s silence was being observed the day before Remembrance Sunday.
A minute’s silence ahead of Birmingham’s clash with Northampton was disrupted by fans
Despite silence being restored during the Last Post, cries were heard again towards the end
It comes after Wrexham’s James McClean stood separate to teammates in a minute’s silence
As both sets of players gathered around the centre circle, not a noise could be heard at St Andrew’s with fans behaving themselves during the early stages of the show of respect.
Some quiet whispers were uttered as the minute progressed with the odd person shushing those around them but the ceremony was largely followed.
Cries then began to emerge from one corner of the ground as other fans shouted out to try to stop those who were disturbing proceedings.
Eventually, the grim disruption calmed down just before the trumpeter began his rendition of The Last Post.
That was not the last of it, however. While most of the performance was greeted with a respectful silence, an appalling shouting match then broke out once more towards the end as others expressed their anger at the horrendous behaviour.
Eventually, they fell into a hush once more but by this time it was too late. The ceremony was over and much of it had been interrupted by fans’ cries.
The end of the performance was initially greeted with warm applause and cheers but a number of supporters booed loudly, presumably to show their disapproval of those who had disrupted proceedings.
Social media users were quick to voice their anger at events in Birmingham this afternoon.
One said: ‘Northampton fans shouting during the remembrance ceremony for those who fell. Absolute disgrace.’
The Northern Irishman also stuck with his decision not to wear a poppy during the match
Jay Stansfield gave second-placed Blues a lead which seemed enough to earn another win
But Northampton managed to equalise in the 96th minute of a thrilling clash at St Andrew’s
Another posted a picture of some supporters and claimed: ‘These are the disrespectful Northampton fans.’
A third added: ‘Disgusting behaviour from some Northampton fans today in the minutes silence.’
It comes after Northern Irish footballer James McClean courted controversy once again as he stood separately from Wrexham and Mansfield players observing a minute of silence and refused to wear a poppy on the weekend of Remembrance Day fixtures.
The 35-year-old was named as a starter in the League One clash at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday and decided to stand by his previous decision to not don a poppy.
Games taking place across the United Kingdom throughout the Remembrance weekend typically see players either wear an armband featuring a poppy or a shirt with the iconic flower etched into it.
However, as McClean doesn’t support the tradition, the Northern Irishman instead stood on his own away from the group of players who were paying their respects.
Wrexham supporters also began to chant he ‘hates the f***ing King’ just moments after the moment of silence ended with McClean previously hailing fans singing in the stands.
