Spectators, and or hooligans, invade the playing field for many reasons. Here are the nine that stand out...
The pitch invasion which annoys the participants
In England, they take a rather severe view of pitch invasions. Across the water, there prevails this rather quaint notion that pitch is reserved for the players and match officials. Over here, as we know, a more inclusive attitude is adopted.
Brian Clough would have gotten in several scraps over here. He took a dim view of Nottingham Forest fans who ran in to celebrate their 5-2 win over QPR.
He adopted a typically Travis Bickleian strategy and decided to mete out immediate justice Aware of who had just biffed them, the fans took their medicine meekly and stayed out his way, practically genuflecting as they went.
The pitch invasion after Ireland scored a try in the early 1990s
Anyone who remembers Irish rugby in the 1990s will know that Ireland didn't score many tries in those days. So the ones they did get had to be celebrated with wild abandon, because there was a fair chance those present would never see one again.
Lansdowne Road has burst its banks for many's a try in the corner. Gordon Hamilton's almost-winning try against Australia in 1991 remains a popular one and going back further, Alan Duggan's epic dive in the corner against Wales in 1970 precipitated the mother of all premature pitch invasions.
But the winner here is Mick Galwey's insurance try against England in 1993. Not because it was particularly special but because of the handbag-bearing woman who ran on to clap him on the back after everyone else had traipsed back into the Stands, aka, his sister.
The Villa Park problem
It's clear now that Villa Park is home to the doziest stewards in England.
Of all the pitch invasions in England in the past twenty years, Villa Park seems to have the setting for around 80% of them. Here is our favourite from the Villa Park files.
The 2002 FA Cup third round match between Aston Villa and Manchester United. There is a flicker of annoyance in Ruud Van Nistelrooy's eyes when he was mobbed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyIejoEroSY
The premature GAA pitch invasion
Back in the pre-health and safety days, the last few minutes of All-Ireland finals (especially if they were one-sided) tended to played while a ring of flag-waving supporters stood a few centimetres behind the goal-line.
If a goal was scored at this point it was a safe bet that the scorer would be mobbed. The late 80s was the peak of this behaviour. After Noel Lane banged in the winning goal in 1988, he had kids leaping on his back, while the following year Nicky English sparked a serious melee and disappeared in a forest of supporters when he smashed home the final goal against Antrim.
The pitch invasion as a form of hooliganism
Celtic and Rangers fans decided to turn the Hampden Park pitch into Bannockburn after George McCluskey stuck a toe out to re-direct Danny McGrain's volley to the net giving Celtic victory in the 1980 Cup Final.
The policemen on horses give it that distinctly 1980s feel.
The pitch invasion as a means of having a word with the referee
The GAA is the home of this type of invasion. 'Having a word' is a euphemism in approximately 100% of cases. Martin Sludden and Willie Barrett have been assaulted on the pitch by this particularly objectionable form of pitch invader.
The pitch invasion as a means of getting rid of other pitch invaders
Mayo Mick was a prime example of the above type of pitch invasion - the pitch invasion as a means of giving the referee the benefit of your opinion.
He, or rather his daughter, was also an example of another type of pitch invasion. Namely the pitch invasion as a means of getting rid of other pitch invaders.
The pitch invasion as a means of showing the world your breasts
Or indeed penis. The world's most famous streaker is probably Erika Roe, who ran onto the Twickenham pitch during England's 15-11 win over Australia in 1982. The reason for enduring fame is not shrouded in mystery, but was once covered underneath a bashful policeman's helmet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taVcE3u8MC4
The pitch invasion as a means of telling the manager you don't agree with him
This type of pitch invasion is rarely well taken by the manager who is getting the benefit of the invader's learned advice. Indeed, Arsene Wenger was unwilling to even hear the man out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxRo7Pqm2Mo
