City have defended their decision not to throw out the fan who confronted Nicky Summerbee in the Hartlepool game.

No action was taken after the

supporter ran down to the front of the Yorkshire First Stand to have a go at Summerbee.

It prompted criticism from other fans who claim the stewards should have stepped in.

But Valley Parade safety officer Chris Patzelt today claimed the situation was handled correctly.

He said: "We had the cameras looking at it and felt there was no need to get the police involved or anything like that. It wasn't seen as a big

incident.

"The head steward who was

responsible for that section took control from the start. He is very experienced and was monitoring events closely.

"When I took the job six months ago there was an argument that supporters didn't have the licence to do anything at all and we were compared to the Gestapo. I hope we have come away from that.

"Spectators have the right to air their views although I wouldn't want to criticise players like that and hope that the majority of supporters feel the same. But football is an emotive sport and we don't want everybody who comes through the turnstiles to be put in a straitjacket.

"Sometimes when things aren't going well for the team, the frustration reaches the surface. It is unfortunate but I think to have ejected the supporter on those grounds is tenuous."

According to item 18 of the ground regulations, which are printed in the programme, the club can eject anyone whose "presence could reasonably be construed as constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any other person."