JUSTIN EDINBURGH’S family condemned Colchester fans for their “vile and hurtful” song about the late Leyton Orient manager.
Edinburgh tragically died aged 49 in June 2019 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
It came just weeks after the 1991 Tottenham FA Cup winner led the O’s to promotion from the National League.
His passing sparked a huge outpouring of love and support from the football community.
However, Saturday’s 2-2 draw was marred by the sickening chants by some of the away supporters at Brisbane Road.
Edinburgh’s son Charlie took to social media in a classy message for the “small-minded individuals”.
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He wrote on Twitter: “To the select individuals who sung my father’s name in a vile and hurtful song at yesterday’s game, I hope you will learn that hurtful and abusive words can have a lasting effect on people.
“Luckily, myself and my family are stronger and better than to let acts of this nature affect us.
“Football is a wonderful game enjoyed by many, but unfortunately there will always be a small minority who will take the time out to give the beautiful game and their respective club a bad name and reputation.
“I want to personally thank everyone who has sent wonderful messages of support to me and my family, and just to remember that these small-minded individuals will never win at anything in life.
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“My dad’s legacy and reputation will never be forgotten and that alone outweighs any negativity or abuse.”
Colchester, who scored in the 89th and 92nd minutes to rescue a point against the runaway League Two leaders, also released a statement to blast their own fans.
The U’s said: “Not for the first time this season a very small minority of those in the away section have acted in a shameful manner.
“This time making vile chants that no decent person would make and are in no way shared by Colchester United or the vast majority of Colchester United fans.
“We will co-operate with Leyton Orient should there be any further investigations.”
A Colchester fan group made a donation to the Justin Edinburgh Foundation, which was set up in his honour to empower people to react and equip them to step in when someone has a cardiac arrest.
Blue White Army said: “We hope this makes a small amends for the deplorable chants by a section of our fanbase.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
