Article and pic:
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In a time where the media is consistently looking for ways to make the news rather than report the news, I guess we shouldn't be surprised by this 'article' from the Telegraph.
However, it is a little surprising to see it from Steve Mascord who normally plays with a fairly straight bat.
Let me say up front that I would like to invite, nay challlenge, Steve Mascord to make a contribution to the forums. Steve, we'd more than happy to discuss matters on this level playing field. That is instead lurking and lifting posts as part of your research.
From your crystal ball, the inference seems to be that it was the weather which doused the aggro and if it wasn't for the rain, there would have been violence against the channel 9 staff - a load of rubbish offcourse.
I also had to have a laugh at the bit about, "there was barely a spectator within 10 metres of Johns." Well geez Steve... do you think that might have been because they were behind the fence? Doing what spectators do... that is, watching the game....?
And they were not all 'huddling under cover' as you suggest. Many braved the elements, and the photo in the article makes your claim look all the more hilarious.
There was never of threat or an intention to harm anyone. It was going to be a verbal ribbing at the very worst.
I also note that you've searched the internet looking for something to back up the mudrake, and the best you could come up with is that someone is going to: "cop it, and cop it royally". Please....
In any case Steve, you are obviously getting the passion of a supporter mixed up with threats. I can but imagine the hysteria if someone actually threw a plastic cup in Matty Johns' direction.