UNHAPPY Bromsgrove Sporting boss Paul Smith has hit out at the supporters who abused his players in the wake of their 4-3 FA Cup defeat to Coleshill Town this week.

Smith revealed that some players were subjected to verbal abuse during the game, while others were later targeted through social media.

Initially Smith was unaware of the comments, but was later informed by a number of his players after the game.

Smith said: "We have a unbelievable fan base at Bromsgrove Sporting and it's such a shame that some people chose to spoil things by shouting out what I would ony describe as verbal diarrhoea.

"Jason Cowley was subjected to it last season when we played against Bolehall Swifts and it upset him so much, that he very nearly left the club. Now all the supporters are singing his name!

"Somebody shouted the abuse at him when he went to collect the ball to take a throw-in. It's not nice to hear.

"But not only are the players subjected to unsavoury comments during the game, but they then have to read it on social media.

"The supporters who are doing this have to realise they're not helping the club.

"Players don't go out to make mistakes and I accept that everyone has an opinion. But the last thing the players need is supporters burying them.

"All they are doing is playing for a bit of beer money.

"Some of the players have made their feelings known to me and it's deeply upsetting for them, being called various names by people.

"They've shown me some of the things that have been said about them and what's being put on social media.

"I happen to think that life was much simpler without social media, but the youngsters of today live on it.

"So I would say to people who are doing these things, if you're a true supporter, back the players, don't barrack them.

"I'm the one responsible for bringing the players to the club. If supporters don't like something, they can always come and speak to me."