Readers back Save Our Steve campaign

The campaign, launched in last week's Midweek, has united fans in anger and disbelief against the decision.

The Wanderers star had taken off his shirt in celebration of Roy Essandoh's winning goal in the quarter-final win over Leicester City.

Referee Steve Bennett then gave Steve a second yellow card and he had to walk from the pitch, tears streaming down his face.

The FA then landed him with a four-match ban for the sending off, a previous sending off and for receiving ten yellow cards in the season.

Steve will be able to play in the semi final against Liverpool. Midweek and its sister paper the Free Press has been deluged with calls, faxes, e-mails and letters saying what a disgrace it was to ban Wycombe's FA Cup hero.

What supporters have to say

SARAH MOBSBY, of Mary's Mead, Hazlemere, said: "I am writing in support of Steve Brown, in asking that the FA overturn his sending off. FIFA officials on the same day agreed from next season that taking your shirt off to celebrate a goal would no longer be a bookable offence. If decided, why wait until next season? Bring it in with immediate effect. The referee should have used his leniency skills but obviously, he didn't have any."

GEORGE 'POP' POPPLETON addressed his letter to members of the FA. He said: "Steve's courage is monumental in adversity. I am in awe of him. Please forego the red card. He deserves his place in Wycombe Wanderers team."

MR CLARK, a fan since early 1946, said: " I always wonder how refs get away with it. Something should be done. They have seen what's happened and still Steve's had his sending off, so the ref should be sent off."

LYNNE, BRIAN and RICHARD PEARCE, of Harman Walk, also registered their protest. They wrote: "It seems incredible that for celebrating, Steve has such a blemish on his record and spoilt our club's wonderful day. Why do referees spoil the game? Who are they answerable to? They seem to be mini-gods!"

BRIAN WHEELER, of Everest Road, High Wycombe, wrote to the editor, saying: "Will you please ask the FA to let Steve Brown off his second yellow card? The ref was a little hasty in handing out a red card."

RAYMOND FINCH, of Parsonage Close, said: "I wholeheartedly agree with your petition to get Brownie off. The sending off was stupid under the circumstances. The referee missed a blatant penalty. The Leicester manager, Steve Guppy and numerous Leicester fans saw it was a penalty."

MISS BROADWAY, of Chiltern View, Saunderton, said: "I thought it was such a disgrace that the referee had it in him to send Brownie off for removing his shirt with only a minute to play. I understand that the referee wasn't aware of the illness Brownie's son had fought, and therefore didn't know why Brownie took his shirt off, but all he had to do was use some common sense. I think the FA should look at the facts and reconsider Brownie's punishment."

ALISON ALGER e-mailed the Free Press to say it was a bad decision by the referee. She said: "On the same day, another player in the second division took off his shirt and threw it into the crowd and was not given any form of card or telling off by the ref."

MARTIN DOYLE sent an email saying: "I think Steve Brown's sending off at Leicester was the most unsportsman-like act I have ever seen. Maxwell, his son, was the mascot for the day. His mum and Maxwell were sitting just in front of me in the stand."

FRANCES CARVELL, of Priory Road, High Wycombe, said: "I think it was the worst sending off I have ever seen in football. He came over to where we were all sitting to pay tribute to his son and to show everybody sat there just how elated he was about the goal like we all were."

Emailer RUPERT CHARLES said:"I hope this penalty will be reviewed and that the FA will see sense in order not to undermine all the good work that has been done to encourage families to come to football matches."

To have your say on the sending off write to the Editor, Bucks Free Press, Gomm Road, High Wycombe HP13 7DW or e-mail scohen@london.newsquest.co.uk