Blackpool boss Steve Bruce says abuse from Charlton Athletic supporter went ‘too far’

New Blackpool manager Steve Bruce said abuse he received from a Charlton supporter went “too far” after his side’s 2-1 win at The Valley.

The vastly experienced boss was seen exchanging words with a fan behind the dugout in the West Stand after the Seasiders’ claimed their first away victory of the campaign.

Former Crystal Palace chief Bruce, 63, said: “I had someone abusing me in the crowd, with kids around him – you think ‘wow, really’.

“He was someone my age, with a 10-year-old next to him. Unbelievable. Nothing surprises me anymore. It was too far. You know you’re going to get a bit of abuse, but when it’s like that, with kids around. He was as old as me. Anyway, it is what it is.

“I wasn’t upset with the abuse he was giving me, I was upset with the language he was using in front of kids who were 10-years-old and have come to watch a game of football. But then again, it doesn’t surprise me anymore.”

Bruce’s side opened up a two-goal lead before the break but had to hold on as Charlton reduced the deficit in second-half added-time through Luke Berry.

He added: “There was certainly a bit of drama again. I’ve never been involved in a game that’s done 15 minutes overtime. And my physio’s done more work than some of my players.

“They asked us the question, they challenged us and were going for it last 20 minutes. But for 70, 80 minutes we were absolutely terrific. There was a bit of drama towards the end but overall we were delighted with the performance.

“It was never going to be easy against a team that are riding high at the moment. We played so well in the first-half. It’s not often that managers have to make a substitution and change their system so quickly.”

PHOTO: KYLE ANDREWS