Boss Steve Brown expects Ebbsfleet players to applaud the club’s travelling support – whatever happens.

Fleet go to Vanarama Conference South strugglers Staines on Saturday, their first away game since walking off at Hemel Hempstead without acknowledging their fans.

Brown’s team were upset by comments from a section of supporters and vice-chairman Peter Varney released a statement warning those fans to change their ways.

Manager Brown wasn’t aware of his players’ stand and while he understood their reasons, he’s keen to avoid a repeat.

He said: “I didn’t realise what had happened. I was disappointed with our second-half performance and walked down the tunnel quickly.

“Probably 90-95% of our supporters don’t deserve not to be clapped and we’ve got to be mindful of that.

“The abuse at Hemel was perplexing as we were winning 1-0 when they started berating me and the team.

“But it’s not an excuse not to clap the vast majority of supporters who have got behind the team.

“We’ve had a discussion about it and hopefully it won’t happen again."