Ian Holloway held back by players in furious row with Swindon fan before telling supporters ‘don’t come’ in epic rant
IAN HOLLOWAY had to be held back by his own players during a furious row with Swindon fans.
The straight-talking manager, 61, even told his own supporters “don’t come” in a spectacular rant.
Swindon fans were aggrieved after making the 408-mile, seven-hour round trip to watch their side take on Bradford in League Two.
But Calum Kavanagh’s first-half goal proved the difference between the two teams, leaving Holloway’s men precariously just two points and one place above the relegation zone.
And that sparked the angry reaction after the full-time whistle.
Video footage from Valley Parade showed an animated Holloway gesticulating and shouting at a Robins fan at the front of the away end.
Some of the Swindon players even had to step in, dragging their manager away as he continued his remonstrations.
Holloway then launched into his epic monologue when speaking to the club’s media pitchside.
The former QPR, Blackpool and Crystal Palace boss – who only took over at the County Ground in October – said: “We don’t blame anything, we just got on with it and that’s why I lost my rag with one of our fans blaming everybody again. It’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous
“Not going to get out of trouble if you do that, mate, even if you have come a long way.
“Any chance of encouraging us? I saw more than enough there to encourage me.
“Maybe you need to see it with my glasses on. But if you’re upset with it, I’m sorry, don’t come away again if that’s how you feel because I don’t want that.
“I don’t want my team having that when I felt they tried as hard as they possibly could. Yep, I could guide them and get them to do different things.
“But I’m looking right at you – you weren’t very happy, you didn’t make me very happy because you’re not helping in my opinion.
“And anybody else who was around him, am I going to give you a cherry for coming all the way up here? No, that’s your choice.
“It’s my choice to be here and I want people who are actually going to cheer us on no matter what provided they give me that sort of effort.
“It’s a big, big difference from what you’re moaning about in my opinion and if that fella wants to come in, sit down and have a cup of coffee at the training ground, please do.
“But I think you’re wrong. It’s how I feel. Can’t help having passion can you?”
‘SHOULD BE SACKED’
Fans on social media were mixed in their reaction to Holloway’s outburst.
One said: “Deary me what an interview… If fans are choosing to travel silly distances to support their club, they should have the right to voice their opinion.
“You have to take it on board. Fans are the heartbeat of a club. Shocking.”
Another added: “He is wrong, he should be sacked. A club is nothing without the fans.”
But a third wrote: “Completely disagree. Ian Holloway is right.
And a final user replied: “Flipping brilliant interview if you ask me? Do you want stupid, scripted, rinse and repeat interviews? Or do you wanna hear how blokes really feel? More this please, from ALL players and ALL managers.”