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Date: 21st April 2024
It’s all kicking off in the lower leagues – at least according to Albion Rovers it is…
They have been highlighting how disruption in their home games has come from a few fans which is very disappointing, however it has now progressed to what they describe in their statement on the 15th of April as “malicious vandalism”. They have also spoken of how this is a “cost which the club can ill afford.”
Costs like this are, of course, a cost that no club can really afford and whilst my own club, Ayr United, are about to open a new stand on the North Terrace, investment in any club can be hampered when the disaffected of the local community get in and destroy the work of the season, if not the legacy of decades – Albion Rovers’ Garden of Remembrance was targeted too.
Of course, it is disappointing, even worrying.
However, it is when they reference anti-social behaviour in the lower leagues that things take a rather nasty turn. Apparently suggesting that this “is not exclusive to ARFC and we share our frustration with our fellow clubs who have been affected by similar situations.”
Now, one of the most recent articles I read was from players who had been surveyed about their experience of abuse and hearing that on the pitch. Many spoke of playing for clubs where there are fewer supporters and therefore the abuse becomes more effective. They can hear it. When there is a crowd of thousands individual voices can be drowned out by the din. But a few hundred fans? They can make their opinions and their views heard and effectively destroy many a younger player – the older ones tend to be battle hardened if not battle scarred.
In a safe and secure environment people of colour, divergent attitudes and lifestyles including those who are neuro divergent – and there shall be players who are autistic playing in mainstream fitba – can be massively affected by this abuse.
Abuse is what it is.
I have long struggled to work out why it is acceptable to behave in an uncivilised manner in a stadium – of any sport – and be forgiven these trespasses, but if it was the High Street on a Saturday afternoon, then they would be cuffed and arrested. One rule for one and no rules for any other?
It is particularly tough because the stories of struggle and triumph in the lower leagues tend to have a much bigger impact on local communities than further up the pyramid. Whilst the struggles of the Staggies, the Livingston meltdown and the hopes of a top six Dundee are good for their teams, for me the question over whether Buckie Thistle will catch Brechin City in the Highland League, will Clyde make it out of place 42 in League Two and who joins Edinburgh City and Arbroath in the relegation playoffs whilst top 4 in League One looks to have taken over the usual tightness we associate with League Two is what I like to ponder come Sunday morning.
And up here in Scotland whilst Wrexham celebrate yet another leap towards the Premier League and who might not end up being like dam squib Salford City there is the story of Guernsey FC and their attempts to stay in the Isthmian League South Central league. They are currently four points clear of relegation, on a downward spiral with three games left to save their season. Guernsey is like Aberdeen – they have never been relegated. Mind you, they were only formed in 2011. And whilst Nottingham Forest girn over who will have points deducted and
by how many their opponents shall lose in the relegation race in the bottom of the English Premier League I am more interested in the fate of an island team who are looking the abys straight in the face.
It comes as Scotland have become World Champions! Yes, forget the travails of the Women’s National Team and Euros 24 for Steve Clarke, let’s get right behind the fact that Scotland are footballing giants once again – Scotland’s cerebral palsy team beat Northern Ireland in the final, 4-0 with goals from Mathew Wynne, the captain, Jamie Mitchell with a wonder strike, Mathew Robertson and another – a 20 yard screamer from captain marvel, Wynne.
And so, we can celebrate – can we not?
When walking round our cities I often tell my kids to look up at the architecture above them and see what marvels there are and the history of the mundane buildings at street level. With fitba, I urge you to do the opposite. Take your eyes away from the big shiny stuff and look at the great things happening below the media eye level. There is plenty to celebrate, enjoy and marvel at – but behave yourself whilst doing it, treasure the spectacles and belong – in these times clubs at the heart of their communities need fans mor than ever before – legacies are at stake and w
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Tags: Albion Rovers, Football, Scottish fans