Keyboard cowards are vile but horrific abuse of refs is nothing new

HATE HAS ALWAYS PLAGUED SPORT

- By Jeremy Cross

IT FEELS like a lifetime ago now, but the memories and images remain so vivid.

A cold winter weekend in Darlington and a mini rugby festival involving clubs from around the north of England.

The essence of the occasion was for those taking part to have fun. We were eight years old, after all.

But what transpired was the exact opposite. A scene of violence and carnage no child should ever have to witness. And especially not on a sport's field.

Sandal had reached the semi-finals and were drawn to face their biggest rivals Morley.

The game was tight and the atmosphere tense, before one of the Morley players was shown a red card for an act of serious foul play.

And then it all happened in a flash.

The dismissed player's father, who shall remain nameless, charged onto the pitch with one intention. To cause serious harm to the referee. And he did.