dirty "taigs" in killie disabled abuse shocker
Last Thursday saw the meeting in the Park Suite where the club met the fans to address the problems encountered at the final league game against Celtic. KSA chairman Colin Hargreaves opened the meeting and was joined at the top table by Sir John Orr, Jamie Moffat and Chief Inspector John Corrigan. Also present at the meeting were directors Jim Clark and Robert Wyper along with club secretary Angela Burnett.
Colin explained that the meeting had been called following a huge number of complaints from fans that had been verbally and physically abused both inside and outside Rugby Park at the final league game of last season. He stressed that his own experience indicated there was inadequate policing outside the ground. Colin then opened the meeting to the fans to give their own views on the events of that day and let the top table give their responses. Here is a wide selection of the issues raised by the fans:
A disabled fan asked why he was refused entry to the car park at 1.40p.m.
Disabled fans chief Davy Boyd raised several problems that were encountered at the Celtic game. Six disabled fans left the game early after being spat on and abused by Celtic fans sitting near them.
The young girls who play 'the big drum' were also abused as they passed the Celtic fans, despite already having arranged with the club that they would be escorted around the track, which did not happen.
Killie fans were threatened with arrest after cheering a missed penalty whilst the police ignored the abuse from the away fans. Another police officer told a fan "I'm only here for the overtime" when he was asked to help the fans. Many fans felt that the police simply were not interested in getting involved in any potentially troublesome situations.
One fan was abused as he headed to his home in Dundonald Road and his pregnant companion received threats of violence if she said anything.
There were no police present as fans left the Dundonald Road entrance at the end of the game.
Two fans independently explained they had spent the full 90 minutes comforting their young children who were terrified. The children now don't want to go back to Rugby Park after the abuse they were subjected to.
One fan was concerned that some Celtic fans may have been in the home stands as a result of Killie fans selling them their tickets. Several fans pointed out there have been similar incidents at previous old firm games however this was by far the worst that Killie fans had experienced.
Finally one fan pointed out that the saddest aspect was that the fans had predicted what would happen several weeks prior to the game and yet it still came to pass. He stated the police/stewards take a totally different stance at other SPL grounds e.g. Dundee!
Sir John Orr stated that it was totally unacceptable and unforgivable that Killie fans were treated like this. He issued an apology on behalf of the club and himself to all Killie fans that were abused in any way and he stated the club was doing all it could to ensure there is never a repeat of this debacle. Proposals have been drawn up that the meeting would discuss a little later. He was especially concerned at the incidents regarding the youngsters as the club are actively trying to attract kids and bad experiences like the Celtic game could only scare them away.
The issue regarding tickets been sold to away fans is recognised by the club but is something that is hard to control. Sir John stated that the club will not look favourably on any fan who they identify has sold his ticket to an opposition fan. The stewarding issue is constantly under review and it would be best if the stewarding were standardised. Sir John stated this was a topic that could be raised by Jamie Moffat at the SPL board and discussed with the other clubs. If any Killie fans have problems at other grounds e.g. they should write a letter of complaint to the police and ensure they get a satisfactory reply.
The chairman stressed that dialogue is the way forward and that was why the club had spend many hours discussing this issue before producing the discussion paper which fans were handed on entry to the meeting. He repeated the apology to Killie fans and accepted that the club's ticketing policy for this match was wrong. The girls in the office and shop had worked very hard to control the issue of the tickets but the club's policy had been wrong from the outset. The club had been inundated with ticket requests and processes will be put in place to try and rectify the situation.
Sir John went on to explain that David Heath was intending coming along to the meeting however it was felt that in the circumstances it was better for the other board members to attend. Top cop John Corrigan then took some time to explain the policing of the Celtic game. Extra police had been brought in to cope with the larger numbers and it was their intention not to allow away fans in the home stands. However a large number of away fans were building up outside the turnstiles and the Match Day Commander had taken the decision to allow them in the ground. This was based on safety and the fact there were insufficient police numbers outside to cope with the large number of fans.
At full time there had been fewer police outside the ground than was planned. This was caused by a large number of Celtic fans staying behind therefore police resources were split between inside and outside the ground. With regards stewarding he stated it is the responsibility of the stewards to enforce ground rules that are agreed with the club however if an offence takes place that is then the sole responsibility of the police. Rock Steady Security had been invited along to this meeting via letter and phone call however they had failed to show. Mr. Corrigan was saddened to hear of the actions of some police and he promised to ensure this was never repeated whilst he's in charge.
The car parking issue was again a decision of the Match Day Commander, on safety grounds, to stop vehicles entering the ground due to the large number of fans in and around the stadium. Both the police and club need to know what's been agreed before games to ensure incidents like the 'drum' girls would not be repeated. If the new ticketing policy is adhered to it was felt that most problems would be solved.
Some fans had proposed that away fans should be held back for 10-15 minutes to allow home fans leave safely. This has been discussed however the police feel locking fans in may cause as many problems as it solves. They were not excluding this idea but still need to be convinced that it would be effective. Finally he promised that he would take every step to deliver a policing plan that will satisfy any reasonable person.
The discussion paper was then referred to and the board recommended the proposals laid out below should be adopted for future old firm matches.
SEGREGATION
· Away fans to be allocated Moffat & Chadwick stands plus 800 seats at the Chadwick end of the West Stand
· Create sterile areas of 100 seats in both East + West stands
· Existing Park Suite corporate area is supplemented with up to 300 seats in the top half of the West Stand at the Moffat Stand end. These would be for sale to corporate customers of the away support as part of a Park Hotel package.
TICKET SALES
· Chadwick + Moffat Stand tickets sent to old firm ticket office. They are requested to sell the West Stand tickets only if Moffat + Chadwick tickets are all sold.
· Club keeps around 550 Moffat + Chadwick tickets to cover requests from customers etc.
· Club sells other East & West stand tickets only to KFC season ticket holders who would be required to sign a form with their name and address indicating they undertake not to pass on the ticket to an away fan.
TURNSTILE POLICY
Away fans turning up with colours for home end are given an exchange ticket for either away end or sterile areas. Thereafter they are turned away and given a refund provided the police do not consider this a public order issue.
Jamie Moffat felt the meeting had raised many valid points but there were two issues that concerned him. Firstly it was clear that the ticketing policy had caused fans to mix. This had caused problems and hopefully the new proposals will ensure here is no repeat. Secondly the abuse directed at young kids was totally unacceptable and this is a matter the club will be looking at very seriously.
After a final discussion Sir John closed the meeting expressing how pleased he was that they'd had the meeting as such events help to sharpen up processes and focus on important issues. He stressed that the club were always willing to talk to any fans who had something to say and that they monitor the Killie Kickback fan's forum on the killiefc.com website to keep tabs on what is happening.
The club will appoint a new general manager in the coming weeks after which further meetings will be arranged between club and fans to discuss any relevant issues. All the issues raised will be further discussed at their next board meeting. Finally Sir John stated both he and Jamie Moffat would be leaving the director's box for a couple of games, including an old firm match, to sit among the fans and experience the atmosphere.
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Originally Posted by diablos
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