Chaos erupts at Johnstone Burgh game as young supporters kick-off with club claiming fans 'provoked'
The West of Scotland League club say they will investigate the matter but added "it is crucial that people understand this was a situation where adult males aggressively provoked a group of teenagers".
Shocking scenes of crowd trouble marred Johnstone Burgh's crunch Junior Cup semi-final against Largs Thistle on Saturday.
Bottles and other objects appeared to be thrown as a large group of mainly young supporters clashed with opposition fans and stewards following a late Largs goal.
In astonishing scenes, several Burgh players vaulted the perimeter fence to enter the crowd and try to calm their brawling fans. In footage circulating widely online, stewards were also seen to grapple with some crowd members.
One supporter at the match, commentating as he filmed footage of the scenes, was heard to say: 'It's absolutely unbelievable. They're chucking things now. This is ridiculous. It's not going to be long before the polis turn up.'
As Burgh players, including captain Derek Esplin, dashed into the crowd to try and calm their fans, the supporter added: 'There's a player coming in now. Johnstone Burgh players are coming in to sort it out.
'That's how bad it is. It's the captain of Johnstone Burgh. Have you ever seen anything like this in your life? It's nothing short of disgraceful. I've been to over 900 football games and I've never seen anything like that.'
The match was briefly stopped by the referee amid the chaotic scenes at the cup tie attended by a bumper crowd of around 2,000 fans.
Order was restored, thanks in no small way to the efforts of the Burgh players, with the game finishing 1-0 to Largs.
A Burgh source said yesterday: 'There is footage which captures one part of the incident but, just before it, an opposition supporter runs some distance to the shed where the children are, and goads them following the goal.
'What happens next is not good, of course, but the club has worked so hard over the past five years to build itself up. We had ample security in place although there was no segregation, which is a positive aspect of football at this level, and unfortunately a small number of people have caused the scenes which we saw. The vast majority of our young fans are great children.'
Scottish football at all levels this season has also seen rising numbers of young fans wearing black clothing, and styling themselves as 'Ultras' with some instances of disorder and pyrotechnics use sparking condemnation from police.
The match, the first leg of the Junior Cup semi-final, kicked-off at 5.30pm at Keanie Park on Saturday. The second leg sees Largs host Burgh on May 18 at Barrfields Park, with a 2pm kick-off.
Johnstone Burgh said in a statement: 'The club do not condone antisocial or aggressive behaviour from supporters of any age.
'However, it is crucial that people understand this was a situation where adult males aggressively provoked a group of teenagers, and any reaction should be viewed within that context.
'Appropriate stewarding was in place for the expected attendance, and we commend our security team for their swift and professional handling of the situation. It is deeply regrettable that one of our stewards was assaulted in the process.
'Inquiries are ongoing, and any individuals identified as having engaged in violence or antisocial behaviour will be banned from Keanie Park.
'We remain committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for all supporters, particularly the younger members of our community.'
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Around 7.35pm on Saturday, police were called to a disturbance at a football ground in Auchenlodment Road, Johnstone.
'The groups had dispersed on police arrival and there were no further reports of any people being injured.'
It's understood no further police action is planned in relation to the incident. Largs Thistle were approached for comment.
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