AFC BOURNEMOUTH chairman Peter Phillips has called for calm amid fears that recent match-day altercations between fans and stewards could jeopardise the safety of supporters in the North Stand at the Fitness First Stadium.

After an incident during the Cherries' league game against Bury last month led to one fan, Gary Chapman, being banned from Dean Court pending an appeal, unrest has grown between the two groups, with some fans accusing stewards of being heavy-handed.

The conflict was highlighted last Sunday when dozens of supporters charged from the back of the North Stand. This occurred after stewards had spoken to a fan who had thrown the ball to Hartlepool United goalkeeper Anthony Williams during Bourne-mouth's televised clash with the division three leaders.

And Mr Phillips is desperate to resolve the situation before a steward or supporter is seriously injured.

He said: "Our first priority is safety, it overrides everything else.

"But whether it's down to over-zealous stewards or an over-aggressive reaction to a single, relatively minor incident, we now have a situation where safety is being jeopardised.

"The only way we can ensure safety and an attractive environment for people to watch the match is for mutual respect and goodwill between the supporters and stewards.

"But there has been a breakdown of that respect and it has to be addressed. We are arranging a meeting with fans' representatives and Bill Buckley, the club's safety officer, to try to relieve the situation."

Mr Phillips also admitted there could be serious financial consequences for the cash-strapped club if the current situation is not resolved.

He added: "If we reach the stage where the stewards are unable to do their jobs, we may have to get the police back in which is expensive and we could also incur fines from the Football League.

"We can't have anarchy in any part of the ground and we can't have fans deciding if another fan is right or wrong in their actions. I would ask the fans to just take a step back and help us to restore a safe environment."

Gayle Hope, AFC Bournemouth Independent Supporters Association's health and safety representative, echoed Mr Phillips' sentiments.

She said: "Common sense is needed on both sides. Ground regulations were brought in to prevent another Hillsborough disaster and some supporters do need to realise this.

"But on the same score, stewards need to realise there are certain minor infringements which need to be dealt with in a better manner because their seemingly heavy-handed tactics have inflamed situations at times.

"No one wants to see a surge from the back of the stand which leads to people getting crushed. Someone could have been seriously hurt on Sunday."