Chester FC will be complaining to Greater Manchester Police after a group of around 80 fans were sent home before their match with Stockport County.
The supporters had travelled by train for the Vanarama National League North clash at Edgeley Park last Saturday which ended 1-1.
Minutes after arriving at Stockport station, they said they were 'kettled' by riot police and officers on horseback while trying to get into a pub for a pre-match pint.
The tactic involves police forming a tight cordon around crowds and is sometimes used to control large demonstrations.
The group say they were held for up to an hour before police then issued a Section 35 dispersal notice which forced them to get back on the train and go home.
A number of Chester fans have been left angry by the incident and have written to local politicians and the Football Supporters Federation (FSF) over how the situation was handled.
Now bosses at Chester FC have confirmed they will be demanding answers from GMP.
Chester director Andrew Morris said: "We are aware of the incident at the weekend and we will be contacting Greater Manchester Police and the relevant bodies in regards to the concerns our supporters have raised to us about the way it was handled.
"We are seeking observations on what happened and would welcome any fans who wish to get in touch with us regarding it."
Member of Parliament for Chester, Chris Matheson, and Labour councillor Ben Powell are both looking into the matter, the Chester Chronicle reports.
One Chester fan, who wished to remain anonymous, described the events as follows: "Myself and my friends boarded the 1.15pm train to Stockport and intended to go for a drink before the game there.
"We’d been told in the week before the game by our own club (Chester FC) that Greater Manchester Police had told them that away fans would be given the Armoury Pub. This then changed a day or two before to Nelsons Tavern.
"As we got off the train we just assumed there’d be police waiting like normal who would take us to the pub but there were two, possibly three officers who just walked alongside us and said we can go wherever. As the group of us, 60-80 I’d estimate, tried to enter a pub, a chair was thrown at those at the front who then backed off back into the street."
"No one retaliated and within 30 seconds there must have been 50 police around us, tactical aid unit and about six police horses. They kept us kettled in for what must’ve been the best part of an hour without telling us anything.
"In this time I spoke to a few officers who told me that they thought what was happening was a joke and they’re just doing what they’re told.
"I told them about the designated pub for us and they claimed they didn’t know anything about it and told me they weren’t from the area. I looked it up and we were only 170 yards away and they appeared from that direction, which I found strange.
"Once they finally made their decision to get the dispersals out, people actually took it as well as could be expected. They said that fans didn’t listen to the British Transport Police at the station which was not the case as when I got back to the station I told them that and they said 'we didn’t say anything'. He clearly didn’t agree with their decision and they were all blaming each other.
"It seemed as a whole that everyone thought it total madness, including all of the officers, apart from those who were the decision makers. There was no rowdiness, no singing, just people out for a good day. In the group there were parents with kids who said that their kids have now been put off and also a man with a walking stick so it wasn’t the kind of group that some may associate with football.
"I also spoke to the two Chester liaison officers who said it was harsh and said that they couldn’t do anything. I hope something can be done about this as we are back in Manchester for FC United early January and don’t want something like this to happen to us or another group of away fans."
The official away attendance in a crowd of over 3,700 at Edgeley Park was 617.
But the inability of some Chester fans to attend the game soured the experience for many.
Another travelling Chester fan, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: "We were held for an hour in the street unable to move while they made the decision as to what to do with us.
"I found this odd as they were already handing out the Section 35 dispersal notices. The police, when questioned, used several stories as to why we were being held, including trouble with Fulham supporters in Manchester, which was complete rubbish as we were drinking with them in the Waldorf pub.
"The fact we did not announce ourselves at the station, which my understanding is I am free to enter any town or city under free movement, or that we were under suspicion of potential to cause disorder, again this is without any foundation whatsoever."
"As we were being processed the rain got heavier so the decision was taken to put us on a train. However only half the group was subject to the Section 35 at this stage which proves this was a complete waste of time and resources as due to the weather they stopped the process.
"At no point was anyone checked for criminal convictions to see what potential there was for disorder, the group also included two boys under 13 and a gentlemen with a walking stick - not your average football hooligan.
"We arrived back at the station and were put on the wrong platform, the police made no effort to work out where we should be placed and when the train would arrive.
"The platform staff eventually told us what platform was required and everyone was moved again, being aggressively pushed by the police. I made the decision to stay on the original platform and catch a train to Crewe as by this point I had had enough."
Another Chester fan who made the trip and who did not wish to be named said: "I have been attending Chester FC matches home and away since 1981. I appreciate the hard work the police perform around the country on a daily basis to keep us all safe.
"The actions and behaviour by certain GMP officers towards genuine football supporters was excessive and unwarranted, and in my opinion was a result of mismanagement of the whole situation by the senior officers at the scene."
The Football Supporters Federation (FSF) is now liaising with a number of Chester fans who have contacted them over the matter.
FSF caseworker Amanda Jacks said: "We've received a number of emails from Chester FC fans who were concerned and upset at their treatment ahead of the match with Stockport County on Saturday.
"We are advising individuals behind the scenes and if anyone would like to get in touch please contact me at amanda.jacks@fsf.org.uk ."
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "Three people have been charged after failing to comply with a dispersal order.
"They have been bailed to appear at Stockport Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 7, 2019.
"This is in relation to dispersal orders issued on Saturday, December 8, 2018 on Wellington Road South in Stockport."
