GAYNOR

BARRINGTON , coach of defending Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) champions Waterhouse, has stated that he will not be returning to Drewsland unless something is done to make it a safer environment for him.

"Right now I have a problem. At the moment I don't feel safe going to Drewsland for training. How can I coach a team when I feel threatened?" Gaynor said.

Various missiles including plastic bottles, cups and stones were hurled towards the National Stadium pitch on Wednesday as fans deemed to be supporters of the outfit fumed after their team's 1-0 defeat to Harbour View.

Their outrage seemed primarily directed towards one man, Waterhouse coach 'Cobra' Gaynor, who they seemed to hold responsible for the loss.

"This needs to be sorted out; something needs to be done," Gaynor, who also saw assistant coach Andrew Williams struck with a stone, said.

"If you continue to sweep this sort of thing under the carpet you will trip over it ... nothing has been done about it and that is bad for football," he said

Disappointed

"I am very disappointed that we lost the game, but I am even more disappointed by the reaction of the supporters," Gaynor pointed out in an interview with The Gleaner.

"I really didn't expect it, but I suppose I always knew that it was a possibility. I have been hearing negative sounds all the time, even when we win at Drewsland," Gaynor said.

"They complain some times that I'm mashing up the team, fighting against some people, so I guess I cannot say it comes as a total surprise," the coach explained.

Gaynor, who made his way back towards the tunnel after the fixture, faced a number of irate supporters and was even told to his face in no uncertain terms by one furious fan not to come back to Drewsland.

However, it is not the first time that the supporters have appeared to be at odds with the coaching staff; in 2000 the tyres of then coach Geoffrey Maxwell were slashed and the same thing is reported to have happened to the late Peter Cargill.

Last season, plastic bottles were hurled towards then coach Wayne Fairclough after a draw against Seba at the National Stadium, which is rumoured to have been a factor in him not returning to the team.

"Every time something like this happens football loses ... football must be the winner at all times. I cannot continue to coach here unless something is done about the situation, if nothing is done then it will happen again," he said.