'Made us feel like criminals' — Dundee United season ticket holders question 'heavy-handed' security at Kilmarnock game
Dundee United fans have complained about ''heavy-handed'' stewarding at Tuesday's trouncing of Kilmarnock, questioning why they were individually frisked as they entered Tannadice.
- Published in the Courier : 23.02.12
- Published online : 23.02.12 @ 08.23am
Tom and Anne McDonald, from Monifeth, said they were two of a number of spectators in the crowd of just over 5,000 who objected to being ''patted down''.
The McDonalds were making their way into the George Fox stand when they observed stewards frisking all fans.
Mr McDonald (58) said: ''This made us feel like criminals. Why the need for such a heavy-handed approach and why the need for such action at all?
''It's baffling why they should be acting like this with the fans at a midweek game against Kilmarnock with a far from capacity crowd and no history of trouble."
He added: ''If this is going to be the case then United can look forward to losing the revenue from two season ticket holders of many years.''
A spokesman for the club said: ''Dundee United work in co-operation with Tayside Police and the stewarding company to ensure Tannadice is a safe environment for all fans. At this point we are unaware of any issues about the Kilmarnock game.''
09.49am - 23.02.2012 Arab - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I was in the George Fox Stand and was not frisked, did not see anyone getting frisked or hear anyone around me at any time say anything about them being or seeing anyone else being frisked. I get the feeling that this is being blown out of proportion by the McDonalds.
10.10am - 23.02.2012 rory ferrier - dundee, scotland Report This
What the Mcdonalds have to realise is that just because there is no prior history of trouble at a specific game, doesn't mean that trouble wont happen it just takes one idiot to smuggle in a weapon,flare etc to spoil it and they should be glad that the club and police are preventing this
10.15am - 23.02.2012 rorschacharab - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I can't understand anyone who would complain about being frisked or having their bag searched on the way into any sporting event or venue. I have no problem with it at all. If it catches or deters one daftie carrying a knife then it's fine with me.
10.26am - 23.02.2012 Alun - Dundee, Scotland Report This
If you've got nothing to hide what is the problem? If that is all it takes for you to give up your season ticket then are you really United fans, or just a couple that just want to moan? To the editor it must be a slow news day to even publish this.
10.36am - 23.02.2012 J Mackay - Dundee, Scotland Report This
bet they dont frisk any of the old firm fans!!! They let them away with everything inside ground as well!
10.44am - 23.02.2012 Gavin T - Edinburgh , Scotland Report This
I'm struggling to understand why this is news worthy or an issue at all. I would say this "treatment" is a small price to pay for the excellent performance on Tues night.
10.58am - 23.02.2012 Scott - Perth, Scotland Report This
No wonder attendances are dropping like a stone at Scottish football. You only have to flick through the pages of the Courier to see that you are more likely to be stabbed on a busy shopping street than at a football match. What next? Pat downs at parking meters or stop & search on South St. Perth
10.59am - 23.02.2012 Aly Fraser - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
Slow news day? Random searches at football have been the norm since the hideous '80s. To threaten to tear up your season ticket after 30 seconds of inconvenience is ridiculous. If nothing else, the more respectable the people searched, the greater the deterrant to an observer.
11.07am - 23.02.2012 Jim Mac - Dundee, Scotland Report This
The idea that all football fans are seen as potential troublemakers is disgraceful. Are people who goto ice hockey,bingo halls, theatres & cinemas to be frisked? The stewards should be there to ensure people are safe & to assist in crowd control for entering & leaving the stadium, thats all
12.11pm - 23.02.2012 Kris T - dundee, Scotland Report This
what a lot of nonsense. The police and stewards are preventing NOTHING by doing this - for example, during the time of 1980s when there was trouble outside games and NO frisk searches, how many times did anything go off? Correct - the total amount of zero. Two words - control and farce.
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