Stranded Bristol City fans react after players help with whip round

Bristol City fans who thought they were stranded after their tyres were slashed have thanked the club’s players and manager after they came to their rescue.

The players and manager had a whip round and handed a bus-load of fans over £300 to help them out.

The 17 fans found themselves in distress after Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City.

Already disappointed after witnessing a sixth straight defeat for their team, the travelling support were attacked by a gang of youths and two of them were assaulted.

As they got back into the bus to set off for home, they found the tyres had seemingly been slashed by the gang.

Leaving the nearby St Andrew’s ground, club kitman and former player Scott Murray found they were in trouble and told Robins’ manager Derek McInnes.

He then boarded the team bus and reported the incident to his players, who along with him and club staff stumped up the much-needed cash.

The bus, rented from Blenheim Scouts, was driven by Andy Davey.

His son Dariuz was celebrating his 18th birthday and had invited friends to the game.

Andy, 38, of Novers Park Drive, said: “After a couple of minutes McInnes came over and asked for me. I thought he was going to shake my hand but he was giving me £300 notes. I was almost in tears to be honest.”

Dariuz, 18 this week, said: “I think it was a wicked gesture. It shows the players look out for their fans.”

Season ticket holder Ryan Hassell, who was also on the bus, said: “We couldn’t believe it, we were speechless.

“I think what the club did for us was fantastic. They’d just lost 2-0 so they wouldn’t have been in the greatest of moods, so for them to sort us out with money like that we all really appreciate it.

The 17-year-old fitness instructor for Fitness First added: “We were stuck there and we didn’t know if the gang of kids might come back later on.”

Andy called the AA, who told him it would cost £200 to replace all the tyres.

Birmingham City gave them shelter and refreshments during the 2.5-hour wait for the mechanic to arrive.

When he took a closer look, he realised the tyres had not been slashed, but had been let down, and he didn’t charge them.

The fans eventually got home in the early hours of yesterday morning.

In the afternoon, Andy went to Ashton Gate to try to give the money back to Mr McInnes, but was again met with a kind gesture.

“I explained that we hadn’t spent the money and I tried to give it back, but he insisted we keep it,” added Andy.

“He said ‘use it to come and support us at another away game. I thought that was another fantastic gesture to make and we’ll try to get away to a game again later in the season.”

Reflecting Mr McInnes told The Post: “The fans turned up in numbers again last night and unfortunately we weren’t able to give them much to cheer about.

“It got even worse for this group and it was only right that we assisted. I’m glad to hear they returned ok.”

Mr McInnes said: “We couldn’t believe what had happened and wanted to help out in any way possible.

“It looked like they would have a three-hour wait for roadside recovery and there were a number of young lads within the group.

“Given the fact there were 17 of them, we couldn’t get them on the team bus, so everyone in the squad got together to help out and give them an option of catching the train or taxis home.”