A man who goes by the name of Knollsy made headlines after an incident broke out at a West Ham football game.
The football fan was watching David Moyes‘ side take on Dutch team AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion in May 2023 when family and friends of West Ham players were attacked by rival spectators.
West Ham fan Knollsy was a spectator at the team’s game against AZ Alkmaar in May 2023freddiebonfa/ Twitter
Who is Knollsy?
Chris “Knollsy” Knoll was one of several Hammers supporters to tackle a group of hooded AZ Alkmaar fans during the May 18, 2023, game between West Ham and the Dutch team.
Knollsy is a father of four and was 58 years old at the time of the incident.
The electrician, who had recently had a hip replacement, suffered a bruised face after stepping in to prevent the home fans, some of whom were wearing balaclavas, from reaching the West Ham section of the stadium.
Speaking about what happened at the match, Knollsy, from West London, told the MailOnline: “I just did what I had to do.
“I don’t like bullies and had to stop them. I thought the best form of defence would be get to the top of the stairs and attack. I knew they were swinging punches and I just did my best to stand there and take it.”
Pictures posted online after the match showed Knollsy with a torn t-shirt in the stands.
What happened at West Ham vs AZ Alkmaar?
Supporters of AZ Alkmaar reacted angrily to the West Ham’s 1-0 win in the Europa Conference League.
Pablo Fornals‘ 94th minute strike sealed the victory, which meant David Moyes’ side progressed to the final 3-1 on aggregate.
The Hammers’ win sparked AZ Alkmaar fans to attack a group of West Ham players’ family, friends, and coaching staff, who were sat behind the dugout.
Several West Ham players, including sporting director Mark Noble, rushed to help protect them.
One of the people sitting the area the fans attacked was manager Moyes’ elderly father.
Moyes said: “I can’t explain what happened and why it happened. The players were involved because it was the family section. That was probably the reason for the reaction.
“I don’t want that in any way to blight the night because the West Ham fans weren’t looking for trouble. Hopefully they’ll look into it.”
London-born Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen said he was “ashamed” of the ugly scenes.
There had already been clashes between West Ham and AZ fans ahead of the game’s kick-off.
A local news outlet had described a “grim atmosphere” as football fans in hoodies sparked fights on the streets of Alkmaar earlier in the evening.