Thursday, October 09, 2014.

Officials of the Bristol-based football club Bristol Rovers, have admitted one or more of the club’s supporters racially abused the Black goalkeeper of Dartford Football Club during Rovers’ 1-0 Conference win on Tuesday.

Welsh international and Dartford FC player Jason Brown (main picture), 32, complained about racial taunts to the referee during the second half of the game.

"I ask any Bristol Rovers fan that knows this idiot and the steward please go and report him don't let him bring down your fantastic club," Mr Brown said on his Twitter page.

"I really and truly appreciate all the support I am getting not only from my own supporters but from Bristol Rovers."

Bristol Rovers said they are conducting a full investigation into the incident and co-operating fully with the police with the sole aim of identifying and apprehending the perpetrator(s) of the abuse.

The club said: “Any supporters found to have been involved in the incident will be prosecuted and banned from this football club for life.”

Our safety officer spoke to Jason Brown, and referee Adam Hopkins, at the end of the game.

Bristol Rovers operates a zero tolerance approach to abusive behaviour and, after all of our efforts to eliminate racial abuse from the Memorial Stadium, we are devastated at last night’s incident.

A small minority of so called supporters are bringing our club into disrepute and we run the risk of attracting a punishment from the Football Association should we continue to experience problems such as this.”

The club said it has written to Dartford FC, Jason Brown and the Football Association apologising for the incident but will not be making any further comment until investigations have been completed.

Avon and Somerset Police said the matter had been reported to them and they were "investigating".

"Officers have spoken to the goalkeeper after the game and have taken a statement from him," police said.

The incident happens the same week in which Jeffrey Webb the Deputy President of world’s football governing body FIFA, says prejudice in the English game is “right in front of your face”

Bristol Rovers urge anyone who can assist with their enquiries should, in the first instance,  contact one of their officials  John Harper on 07790 277985.