Joey Barton has made a demand on behalf of West Ham's newest cult hero.
Chris 'Knollsy' Knoll has become an internet sensation after his heroic actions at AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night, fighting off ultras who attacked the away supporters after the Europa Conference League clash. A gate previously segregating the two sets of supporters was ripped away as the home fans charged, with the 58-year-old placing himself in the firing line and protecting those around him.
And despite a ripped shirt, not to mention still recovering from a recent hip operation, he did a valiant job of fending off the attackers. Once safely home, he told reporters in a video interview that the perpetrators looked like "little ants" as they ran towards those who had made the trip from London.
"So I just realised the best form of defence - or the place to put up a defence - would be at the top of the stairwell where it was almost a one on one situation," he explained, before being asked if he considered himself a hero. "No, not at all. There were guys who did exactly the same as I did and there were people behind me as well."
The incident followed West Ham's 1-0 win on the night, courtesy of a late Pablo Fornals winner, which gave them a 3-1 aggregate scoreline and sealed a place in a first European final for 47 years. But 'Knollsy', real name Chris Knoll, is currently not heading there.
"I'd love to go to Prague," he admitted. "That would be the icing on the cake for the day yesterday. Obviously, the trouble we had, it would almost make it all worthwhile."
Join the debate! Should Knollsy get a free ticket to the final? Let us know your thoughts below.
And now Bristol Rovers manager Barton has led the chorus for the now famous fan to have a place in the stands for the game against Fiorentina on June 7: "Make sure this fella gets a ticket to the final. Flattened all those whoppers…," he tweeted.
It proved a popular demand, with @Ukroadworks85 tweeting: "I wouldn’t give him a ticket. He should be the team security on the flight and at the stadium for the final," while @Stompin_ste added: "Should get full first class treatment."
'Knollsy' has been hailed a hero for his role in preventing rival fans from getting into the West Ham stand in the Netherlands. Reflecting on the incident, he explained: “I don’t like bullies.
“You could see they were intent on causing trouble and I did not want them to get to those behind us. I saw them all congregate on the side of the pitch and then they broke down the barriers and headed to the first group of West Ham fans.
“I know what they were intent on doing and was not going to let it happen. It was fairly obvious what was going to happen because they were intent on coming to us. They were the ultras, you could see that from what they were wearing. I just decided I wasn't going to let them come up.
“I just thought the best form of defence would be to get to the top of the stairs where they were coming up and just stood there and tried to stop them. I know they were swinging punches and I just did my best to stand there and take it.”
