Wycombe Wanderers captain Joe Jacobson has revealed he was provided extra protection by the club after he received antisemitic abuse earlier this season.

The 36-year-old, who joined the Chairboys in the summer of 2014, has been targeted on social media for being among the few Jewish footballers in England’s professional leagues.

And following the October 7 terror attack by Hamas which saw hostilities between Israel and Palestine increase, Jacobson has admitted he was given a security escort when visiting Adams Park.

Speaking to Sky News, the club captain who has played nearly 400 times for the Chairboys, said: “I’ve never had anything on social media until this season.

“It’s my testimonial year and we’ve got a dinner planned in a couple of weeks’ time.

“There’s a comment, not on my Twitter but on Wycombe’s Twitter calling me something and that’s their first reaction and you can see they’re not a Wycombe fan by their profile.

“So why are you looking to see what Wycombe are doing and see something about me reply in a certain way?

“Those things weren’t there before, but they’ve happened since October.

“People can have their views on the conflict, I have them and I’m not saying mine are the same as everyone else’s, but, to voice an opinion like that on social media to someone is sad.

“People need to realise what they’re saying isn’t right or acceptable.”

Since the terrorist attack last autumn in Israel committed by Hamas, there has been a sharp increase in antisemitism with the UK.

The Community Security Trust (CST) revealed reports of 4,103 anti-Jewish hate incidents in 2023.

A large proportion occurred after the October 7 atrocities.

This is an increase from 1,662 in 2022.

In 2021, 2,255 reports were made.

Jacobson continued: “I sat down with the head of communications of the club and said, ‘is it OK to write this?’ I changed it, and he said it was ‘absolutely fine’.

“Sometime later, there was a reaction as people thought it was related to the present day, which it wasn’t.

“I had messages on social media and the club were sent emails and letters demanding that I apologise and if I didn’t, they’d barricade the gates at Adams Park on a matchday.

“A few days later, and I didn’t know at the time, one of the players wanted to join me in my car from the training ground to the stadium [on a matchday].

“I didn’t think much of it but the secretary called him and asked how close we were which I thought was strange.

“I parked my car, and three or four staff members went around me and said, ‘it was time to go in [the stadium]’.

“I said I was talking to fans and family members, but I was ushered in.

“I later found out they were worried someone might have been there, so some plain-clothed officers were watching out.

“Thankfully, nothing happened but I’m just going to a place of work and even though nothing happened, that can’t be right.

“So-called fans messaged in to say that this person can’t play or be captain of this football club.

“I had a dialogue with the club, and they said to not apologise as I hadn’t done anything wrong.

“The players were worried, and they didn’t want to work with someone who posted the tweet towards me, and we’re disappointed that someone connected to the club posted something.”