'Shame on the lot of them' — Arbroath and Cowdenbeath fans clash at Gayfield
Police raced to Gayfield on Saturday after a wild west-style brawl broke out between Arbroath and Cowdenbeath football fans.
Police and stewards rush in to separate Arbroath and Cowdenbeath fans. Below: police holding Cowdenbeath fans in the ground after the game.
- By Graeme Strachan
- Published in the Courier : 20.02.12
- Published online : 20.02.12 @ 08.58am
Trouble broke out at the second division clash at half-time as Arbroath supporters made their way around the terracing to stand behind the Pleasureland end of the ground.
Usually when there is no segregation the Red Lichties will switch ends to stand behind the goal their team is attacking in the second half. However, the rival fans clashed and fighting broke out with punches thrown before police were forced to call in reinforcements.
The fighting was quickly brought under control and police and stewards formed a barrier between the fans who stayed behind the goal.
After the match the Cowdenbeath fans were kept behind and given a police escort to the railway station.
Police said they had identified 30-40 known troublemakers amongst the 1,100 crowd that were described as ''hardcore.''
A spokeswoman said they worked in conjunction with British Transport Police after the game to escort Cowdenbeath fans to the railway station and get them on the train.
She was unable to give details of how many people were arrested, but it is understood a handful of fans were removed from the ground by police.
The bust-up overshadowed the 1-1 draw and was the main topic of conversation among fans on message boards. The majority of supporters from both sides were quick to condemn the actions of the troublemakers.
One Arbroath supporter said: ''I have never, ever, seen a group of fans from any football club have to be held back inside Gayfield to stop them causing trouble. If Arbroath fans had to be held back in a football ground due to their behaviour during the match, I would be embarrassed.''
Another Red Lichtie said: ''The scrapping was a poor show. I've not seen the like in over 30 years as a Gayfielder. The Cowden young lads were looking for bother and some home fans were too happy to oblige.
''Shame on the lot of them. I'm with the 1,075 who wanted nothing to do with it.''
Another Arbroath fan posted: ''In my opinion both sets of fans have to take some portion of blame.
''The Lichties supporters I unfortunately can't see as wholly innocent in this whole sorry affair. However — and this a considerable however — the away fans were looking for trouble.
''As for the police, I think they handled the situation as effectively as they could have. Also, they ensured the trouble mob was escorted all the way to the train station after the game.''
A Cowdenbeath fan said: ''Before the game there wasn't any bother and there were no problems in the first half. There were several Arbroath fans in the south enclosure too and nothing happened.
''At half-time the Arbroath fans changed ends and tried to evict the Cowden fans from where they were standing. Yes, they should have moved and some did — me included. But others didn't and that's when the trouble started.
''In no way do I condone any misbehaviour by any fans, but maybe, just maybe, much of what happened yesterday could have been avoided with proper stewarding and not leaving it to the fans to sort it out for themselves.''
01.23pm - 20.02.2012 ianmc - Arbroath, Scotland Report This
''In no way do I condone any misbehaviour by any fans, but maybe, just maybe, much of what happened yesterday could have been avoided with proper stewarding and not leaving it to the fans to sort it out for themselves.'' Yeah because in no way could be expect Adults to act like Adults. Pathetic.
02.44pm - 20.02.2012 disgusted smokie - arbroath, scotland Report This
Cowden fans to blame 100% well infact they werent fans. not one of them had a cowden scarf or top on. they were spoiling for trouble. i seen them assult an old man when he asked them to move and when another man stepped in they attacked him 5 on 1 in front of children and elderly. Cowerdly scum
04.12pm - 20.02.2012 David - Cowdenbeath, Fife Report This
Glad that an Arbroath fan has commented on the poor stewarding. there was a small scuffle at Central Park when the Arbroath fans travelled down to Cowdenbeath. this doesn't go unnoticed on fan forums therefore why didn't the stewards segregate the crowd.
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