21-04-2025
Club captain and team-mates wade into crowd to separate warring fans lobbing missiles as Scottish Junior match explodes
A former Rangers star played in the game
CROWD CHAOS Club captain and team-mates wade into crowd to separate warring fans lobbing missiles as Scottish Junior match explodes
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A SCOTTISH Junior match was marred by crowd trouble on Saturday after both sets of supporters clashed during the fiery showdown.
Johnstone Burgh hosted Largs Thistle in the first leg of the Junior Cup semi-final and it wasn't the football itself which grabbed everyone's attention at Keanie Park.
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Chaos broke out after the first and only goal of the contest
Credit: Youtube / Mark Faloon
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Fans clashed and missiles were launched
Credit: Youtube / Mark Faloon
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Players and staff tried to calm things down
Credit: Facebook / The Tartan Groundhopper
A small number of fans ruined the occasion when scenes exploded late on in the tie after the visitors took the lead.
Cory Hughes headed home for Largs from a corner in the 83rd minute and his finish - which proved to be the winner - sparked wild celebrations behind the goal-line.
Largs supporters were situated in the corner behind that goal and stewards were on scene to ensure nothing got out of hand with rival fans.
But it didn't go to plan as videos, which have been posted on social media, show how things got very heated after the first and only goal of the contest.
Both sets of supporters clashed behind and were seen having to be separated by stewards and staff.
Burgh captain Derek Esplin and some of his steam-mates even got involved to try and calm everything down.
Goalkeeper Luke Scullion was also caught up in one moment which saw a punter appearing to fight with a steward.
Rangers hero Kyle Lafferty, who now stars for Johnstone Burgh, also played in the showdown but he wasn't spotted amongst the chaos.
Eventually players and staff managed to restore order inside the venue but that was after missiles were thrown and supporters locked horns.
Masked fans were seen making their way from one end of the stadium to the other to get involved.
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There were also claims of Largs Thistle fans being targeted by Johnstone Burgh ultras outside Keanie Park after the game.
Largs Thistle have confirmed investigations have been launched.
A statement read: "The match referee has submitted a report regarding the crowd trouble at the game and as such we will refrain from making further comment until the football authorities have concluded their investigations.
"Meantime everyone can be assured that we shall undertake our own investigations as we do not condone any form of aggression or violence."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 7.35pm on Saturday, 19 April 2025, 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 or any people being injured.
"No further police action."
Johnstone Burgh and the Junior FA have also been contacted for comment.
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