Last Saturday, about an hour before the kick-off v Wrexham, I was idling away the time at the top of Worrall Street when there hove into view a remarkable spectacle. I rubbed my peepers, but it was still there, a fellow bedecked from head to foot in red, green and white, the full monty, replica shirt, scarf, woolly hat. He had in tow his, (presumably) good lady wife, similarly apparalled.

Being the helpful sort of cove that I am, I pointed him towards the visitors' section, but he brandished an A4 printoff and told me that his place was with the home fans. I could not quite place his accent, but there are parts of the Principality outwith my ken, so made no further enquiry. Perhaps, I mused, he is is a VIP guest of the Club, or maybe a hospitality customer.

Before too long, he reappeared, trudging disconsolately in the opposite direction. He had, not surprisingly, been refused admission, even after offering to conceal the offending garments.

His money had been refunded, but that was scant consolation, he explained to me, as he had travelled all the way from Croatia to watch the game.

I know that segregation is important in the eyes of the powers that be, but I could not help but feel sympathy for this couple. Anything further from a pair of hooligans could hardly be envisaged, and I wished that some solution could have been found. Maybe the staff who dealt with the situation were unable to refer the matter upwards. I would have bent the rules to help them out.

I wish I had taken the chap's photo, he clearly had not the slightest inkling that he was persona non grata.

The previous game, v Bolton, just before kick-off, a pair of fellows were turned away from the Railway End after the elder one, appearing to be of pensionable age, was detected, quite openly, to
be wearing a prominent BWFC across his chest. Of course, in his case, he could not have pleaded ignorance. I would have left at home any incriminating garments if I had to pass muster by the stewards at whatever Bolton's place has now been renamed, can't be expected to keep up with the pace of change these days, thank the Lord that EP is still EP, and not the Kentucky McCola Arena or suchlike.

The Bolton fan announced his intention of turning his top inside out and trying his luck again, but if he was unsuccessful he would have done himself a favour.

Just wonder if the chap from Croatia saw anything at the time of booking that would have alerted him. I have trawled through Terms and Conditions and Stadium Policy, cannot see anything that leaps out at me.