Enfield Town goalkeeper Joe Wright was forced off the pitch by security for allegedly punching a supporter during a non-league match against Chelmsford City.
Enfield Town goalkeeper Joe Wright leaves the pitch after the National League South match against Chelmsford City (Image: EssexLive)
A footballer was removed from the pitch by security staff after he allegedly punched a supporter during Friday’s non-league match. Enfield Town goalkeeper Joe Wright was flanked by security guards as he left the field after the match against Chelmsford City.
Jeers rang out as Wright descended the tunnel, accompanied by match officials, security staff and Chelmsford City Football Club officials. Neither club responded to repeated requests for comment from Essex Live.
The alleged altercation took place during Essex side’s league match against Enfield Town at Melbourne Community Stadium. Due to this incident, the match was suspended after approximately 74 minutes.
A Chelmsford City FC social media post claimed the goalkeeper had “just hit someone in the crowd”. A further post shortly after the game restarted said: “We have video evidence of Joe Wright hitting a fan.”
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Both social media posts have since been deleted. Enfield Town’s official X account claimed: “The referee stopped the match here in unfavorable circumstances. There was clearly an exchange of words between Wright and the Chelmsford fans and a missile was thrown at him.”
Essex Live has requested statements from both clubs, but neither had responded at the time of publication. Images obtained by Essex Live showed security staff wearing high-visibility jackets stationed along part of the pitch behind the goals until the end of the match.
Chelmsford City had scored two goals at the time of the incident, thanks to strikes from Lyle Taylor and Archie Tamplin. In the end, the Clarets ran out 3-0 winners in front of a crowd of 2,200, with Anthony Papadopoulos rounding out the points for the Essex side.
The incident happened during Chelmsford City v Enfield Town (Image: EssexLive)
As a result, Chelmsford City remain in the sixth tier of English football, just two points out of the play-off places in the National League South.
Essex Live understands that the Football Association will investigate the match official’s report on the day of the match. Essex Police confirmed they had not received any reports of any criminal activity.
Both Chelmsford City Football Club and Enfield Town Football Club have been asked to respond.
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