Please be aware that the video alongside this story may contain traces of foul language. We have edited out clear abusive words, but some may remain within crowd noise.

EDDIE Mitchell clashed with disgruntled Cherries supporters following yesterday's 2-1 defeat at home to Walsall.

After fans lodged a protest outside the front of Goldsands Stadium, calling for the head of under-fire boss Paul Groves, Mitchell emerged from the ground in a bid to address the crowd.

But as the group vented their frustration, Mitchell was shouted down.

And the scene turned ugly after Mitchell was involved in an angry verbal exchange with one supporter before being ushered back inside the stadium by stewards.

The media inside the ground conducting post-match interviews reported a commotion and children crying inside Mitchell's executive box following the match.

Associate director Dave Roberts, meanwhile, was seen being restrained by chief executive Neill Blake inside the Seven Developments box, while Mitchell was later locked in deep conversation with co-owner Maxim Demin.

One video shot by a supporter in the group outside the ground, and later uploaded to YouTube, showed Mitchell being struck on the head by a matchday programme thrown from the crowd as he was led back inside.

Asked by the supporters to make changes, Mitchell said: "It's all very well changing it, but we have to find a way to win.

"I could have employed Glenn Hoddle but we might still have been in the same situation. 

"It's football. The ball is round and we are trying our best."

A supporter then asked Mitchell if he would sack Groves, before insisting the chairman could have his season ticket if the Cherries boss remained in charge. Fans then chanted 'We want Groves out'.

As Mitchell spoke with another fan, the crowd chanted the name of former boss Eddie Howe, before Mitchell replied: "Okay, I sack Groves tomorrow which will cost the club a lot of money, but we sack him.

"Then we get Glenn Hoddle or Eddie Howe and we carry on as we are. What do we do then, sack them?

"This breaks my heart and brings me to tears."

Mitchell then responded to one fan's comment by saying: "You haven't got any information have you? You haven't got a ******* clue."

Mitchell was then led away after being shouted down with chants of 'We want Grovesy out'.