Former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has revealed he had armed police protection during a game at Elland Road just months after being attacked by a Leeds United fan over a decade ago.
Leeds supporter Aaron Cawley assaulted Kirkland during a 1-1 Yorkshire derby draw at Hillsborough in October 2012. The incident happened just after Michael Tonge had equalised for the away side on 77 minutes, with Cawley spotted by Sky cameras entering the pitch and pushing Wednesday’s goalkeeper in the face with both hands.
Kirkland required on-pitch treatment and referee Eddie Ilderton checked on the Wednesday shot-stopper while holding a plastic chair. Cawley, 21 at the time, pleaded guilty to assault and was given a 16-week jail sentence, an £85 fine and a six-year football banning order.
“It’s as though it’s not really happening and I didn’t literally see him until the last minute,” Kirkland told The Star’s All Wednesday podcast. “We’d just let a goal in in the 77th minute and I was devastated because we were only 15 minutes away from a brilliant win. When the goal went in, first and foremost you’re deflated, you obviously know the Leeds fans are behind you and all that, with the noise and the carnage.
