Support pours in for barred rugby fan
RUGBY fans from across the country have been pledging their support for banned Coventry Rugby Club fan Claire Harrison.
Threats of boycotts, refusals to buy season tickets and petitions have all been discussed on the National League One website forums.
Almost 5,000 fans have viewed the forum and fans from rival clubs have even been offering the 19-year-old, of Brownshill Green Road, hospitality elsewhere.
As reported in the Telegraph last week, the lifelong fan was barred from the club following a civil court case involving Coventry RFC and kit suppliers Flash UK, concerning unpaid invoices, which the club lost.
Claire was called as a witness as she had been helping at a sports equipment shop which is part of Flash UK.
After the case, she was sent a letter from the club asking her not to attend Butts Park Arena.
One Moseley fan wrote on the National League One website: "I can understand a convicted hooligan or criminal being banned by a sporting club.
"Banning Claire Harrison is a petty and vindictive action by Coventry RFC. They should be ashamed of themselves."
And one Coventry supporter adds: "I was in the process of purchasing my season tickets for the up and coming season.
"I have now decided not to until this mess is sorted out.
"How can they ban someone with a family history at the club for telling the truth to a court. It is way, way beyond me."
Claire has been astounded by the support she has received and hopes it could persuade the club to change its mind.
She said: "To have almost 5,000 hits is unbelievable, I wasn't expecting so much support and it hasn't just been from Coventry fans either.
"If people continue to give me their support the club will have to take notice. If people stop buying season tickets there won't be many people at the games.
"The pre-season games begin in August and people are hoping that it will all be sorted out by then."
She added: "All I want is the rugby club to say it is sorry, so we can sort it out and I would be back there like a shot. "
Coventry Rugby Club refused to comment.
* The forum can be viewed at www.leaguerugby.co.uk and an online petition has also been started at www.gopetition.com/online/12990.html
Source: Emma Stone, icCoventry.co.uk