BRADFORD City chiefs are investigating after a pensioner was allegedly racially abused as he made his way to Valley Parade.
Glendon Robinson, 67, who attended his first game in 1968 and stood on the terraces during the fire of May 11, 1985, said he was called a monkey, a n***** and subjected to monkey noises by three fans as he walked to the Port Vale game on Tuesday night.
Mr Robinson was wearing his claret and amber scarf on Grace Church Street when he was verbally abused by the fans in city shirts.
When he tried to take a photograph of the men, they ran off towards Manningham Lane.
He said: "It's just ignorance from them.
"I have been going to City since 1968 and went to all the away games.
"I have experienced this at lots of away games but never never at City.
"What makes me feel awful is we are supporting the same team.
"There are a lot of black players in the team, so what would've happened if they had scored?"
Mr Robinson described the men as being aged between 25 and 35-years-old.
He added: "It's sickening because I rate this club as a family club and a lot of Asian people come here than before.
"I was going towards the ground and there's no way I should be getting these reactions from anyone.
"When I started supporting City these lads wouldn't have been born.
"I've supported the club through thick and thin, and it's the first time I've heard anything like that."
Mr Robinson's son, Collis, took to twitter on Tuesday night to post about he incident.
He said: "I simply cannot understand the mindset of some people to racially abuse my dad, whilst they are on their way to "support" a team that features a number of players from various ethnicities.
Racism in football has recently reared its ugly head after England's game away to Bulgaria last week.
Monkey noises could be heard coming from the crowd and the game was stopped twice in the first half as match officials calling the game off.
Bosses at the League Two club have released a statement about the incident, explaining they have made contact with Mr Robinson and his family and, alongside local authorities, will be conducting an inquiry.
Ryan Sparks, City's director of communications, said: "We are disgusted to hear of this incident and will do everything in our power to identity those alleged to have been involved.
"Racism has no place in society and we treat all forms of discrimination with the utmost seriousness.
"We as a club have been working closely with the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance and Bradford Council.
"Over the weekend, we supported the #BradfordNoPlaceForHate campaign and play our part in a host of diversity and inclusion projects and initiatives.
"Bradford is proud, multi-cultural city and racism is absolutely unacceptable. We would urge anyone who witnessed last night’s incident to come forward and contact the club. This can be done anonymously."
If you have any information which could aid the club’s investigation, phone 01274 77335.
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