SWINDON Town have promised to ban any individuals found to be involved in the alleged assault of both the mother and father of first team coach Ross Embleton at last weekend’s game with Oxford United.

Last Sunday, Town were beaten 2-1 at the County Ground in a passionate derby encounter with their fiercest League One rivals but head coach Luke Williams used the club’s weekly pre-match press conference on Friday morning to reveal that Embleton’s parents had allegedly been attacked in the Arkell’s Stand.

It has been claimed that, after remonstrating with a member of the crowd directing abuse at his son after the final whistle, Embleton’s father was headbutted and shoved over by a fan before his mother was punched in the face by another person.

The incident was also witnessed by the Town’s coach’s seven-year-old daughter and four-year-old son.

Town say that they are aware of the incident and will take action against those responsible if they are identified.

A Swindon Town spokesman said: “If any individuals involved are identified, then banning orders will be issued, as they would for anybody found committing anti-social behaviour at a game.”

Speaking yesterday, head coach Williams said that while he accepts that verbal abuse directed towards dugouts is part and parcel of the culture of football, the unsavoury scenes involving his colleague’s family were unacceptable.

“Ross’ family were both struck by fans physically, which – I’m sorry – is not acceptable,” said Williams.

“By all means, there’s stick and people coming down to the dugout to lean over and swear at me, and call me obscene things. It’s not something that concerns me in the slightest, if I’m honest.

"Some of my family don’t come anymore to the games because it’s difficult to hear somebody being spoken about in that manner but the fans pay their money and I accept that, and I’m happy for them to vent through me.

“But hitting people and attacking peoples’ family physically is criminal, to be honest, and please, that needs to stop, and if you feel frustration and you want to vent your feelings, please do it towards me in a verbal way.”

Williams also rejected any suggestions that he and his management team are out-of-touch with Swindon supporters.

He added: “We’re working-class men. Everybody keeps telling me Swindon is a working-class town and we don’t understand that, and we live in a bubble – it’s not true.

“The moment we don’t work for Swindon, we need to find another job very, very quickly, so please, no more hitting our families.”

The Advertiser understands that Embleton’s family are unlikely to attend another home Town game.