‘The scariest thing I’ve ever seen at a football ground’: Latest NUFC fan opens up about Elland Road incident

A Newcastle fan has told NewcastleWorld of how their experience at Elland Road was 'the scariest thing' they had ever experienced at a football match.

Both Leeds United and West Yorkshire Police have acknowledged reports of a melee outside the entrance to the away stand at Elland Road with fans sardined in a distressing situation.

Yesterday, NewcastleWorld heard from one fan who reported that stewards laughed in their face when asked for help with the situation.

Today another Newcastle supporter speaks to the site about their experience at the ground on January 22.

They said: "We got there half an hour before kick-off.

"There were only four turnstiles so 1,700 people getting into four turnstiles was always going to be a big crowd.

"We stood for 15 minutes, got near the front and one of the turnstiles stopped working. People started to push towards the left-sided ones.

"As far as I'm aware, they shut the other three and weren't letting anybody in.

"People were getting angry and shouting and stewards said there was nothing they could do. There was a few stood there but they didn't care really.

"Obviously, people were moving forward and trying to get in.

"I stood near one of the turnstiles for what was at least half an hour or 45 minutes.

"Eventually the stewards came back and said they could open them all.

"I was in between two turnstiles and there was a steward holding a button on each of the two turnstiles.

"His arms were outstretched. He hadn't purposefully trapped us in the corner but I couldn't get out without crawling under his arm.

"I was speaking to someone in the queue and he said, 'as long as nobody gets hurt today it's a win'. I couldn't agree with that more.

"I've done over 100 games and multiple away games all over the country and that was the scariest thing I've ever seen at a football ground.

"[When in the stadium] I didn't even get to my seat as everyone was crowded in so I just stood on some stairs for the game.

"The crowd was so bad it wasn't worth pushing through. The majority of people stood on the stairs.

"There was plenty of stewards in and around but only two or three at the front where the turnstiles were talking to people. The rest were stood on the side talking to themselves.

"There definitely could have been more done.

"They could've communicated a bit better instead of standing there and having to shout. It could have been done much much better."

A Leeds United statement read: "The club acknowledges the complaints raised by some Newcastle United supporters regarding issues experienced entering Elland Road on Saturday.

"Leeds United will now work with the NUST, West Yorkshire Police and our own safety team to review the issues raised and ensure we continue to provide a safe environment for everyone attending our stadium. We will not make any further comment until a review is complete."

The West Yorkshire Police said: "We are aware of issues at the Leeds United v Newcastle United game at Elland Road on Saturday that resulted in congestion at the entrance points for away fans.

"We are currently liaising with the club to review the circumstances."

NewcastleWorld has put reports heard by fans to Leeds United but has not received any comment.