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Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scottish football bosses to probe crowd disorder at Keanie Park Junior Cup tie
Scottish football authorities have launched a probe into crowd disorder which marred the Junior Cup tie between Johnstone Burgh and Largs Thistle. The game at Keanie Park was briefly stopped on Saturday, April 19, after clashes between supporters after the Seasiders scored a late winner. In astonishing scenes, bottles and other missiles were seen being lobbed by fans before players and Burgh captain Derek Esplin dashed into the crowd to try to calm those involved. In footage circulating widely online, stewards were also seen to grapple with some crowd members. It's understood the incident has been mentioned by the referee in his match report and that an investigation will now be carried out by the Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA). Possible sanctions such as a fine for the club – who have maintained they had adequate stewarding place – could follow. Meanwhile, in a highly-unusual move at non-league level, the return leg, due to be played at Thistle's Barrfields on Sunday, May 18, has been declared all-ticket. The game is due to kick-off at 2pm with Largs leading the tie 1-0. The first leg of the semi-final was briefly stopped by the referee amid chaotic scenes at the match which was attended by a bumper crowd of around 2,000 fans. A Burgh source told afterwards how some young fans reacted after an opposition supporter ran half the width of the pitch to goad them after Largs scored. They said: 'The club has worked so hard over the past five years to build itself up. Unfortunately, a small number of people have caused the scenes which we saw. The vast majority of our young fans are great children.' In a club statement following the game, Burgh said: 'The entire incident lasted less than two minutes. The referee rightly paused the game to restore order. 'With the goal scored late in the match, Johnstone Burgh players themselves encouraged calm to allow the match to resume swiftly and safely. 'Johnstone Burgh FC does not condone any form of antisocial or aggressive behaviour from supporters of any age. Appropriate stewarding was in place, 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. 'Enquiries are ongoing, and any individuals identified as having engaged in violence or antisocial behaviour will be banned from Keanie Park with immediate effect. 'We remain committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for all supporters, particularly the younger members of our community.' In a statement of their own, Thistle said: 'The match referee has submitted a report regarding crowd trouble at the game and we will refrain from making further comment until the football authorities have concluded any investigations. 'We will also undertake our own investigations and wish to stress we do not condone any form of aggression or violence towards anyone, adults or children.' The SJFA said in relation to the game: 'An investigation will be carried out and we cannot comment further at the moment.' Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
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.
