Junior clubs hammered after pitch free-for-all

Published on Wednesday 16 January 2008 09:51

DALKEITH THISTLE and Harthill Royals were both hammered with huge fines after a free-for-all involving players, supporters and committee members saw their game abandoned before half-time.

The fines were handed out by the East Region Scottish Junior FA as a result of the match, played on November 24, being called off by the referee after just 40 minutes.

In a special meeting at Oakley United's ground both clubs were asked to explain their part in the fracas and officials decided Dalkeith assistant manager Paddy Dolan should take the brunt of the criticism.

They fined him 150 and banned him from all football this season, effectively a six-month ban, which is huge blow for Dolan and the club.

He was seen by the referee as the main culprit in coming on to the pitch and starting the melee.

Dolan is no stranger to controversy and to some it was no surprise that he was named and shamed.

Both clubs have been fined 1000 plus a good behaviour bond of another 1000 which are huge sums of money for Junior clubs and a signal of just how seriously the ERJSFA took the matter.

They felt the clubs had brought the image of Junior football down after some favourable publicity recently. Junior football has been enjoying a period of incrediblly good media attention in recent weeks and incidents like this could only damage that image. They felt they had to act and act with authority.

These fines are big for both clubs who do not have the financial clout of others in the region.

Dalkeith, who are outraged at this amount, in particular may not survive this.

They have a emergency meeting scheduled for Sunday but the signs are not looking good. They have been surviving on a shoestring for years and a fine such as this could finish the club. No-one at the club was available for comment but it seems they are considering an appeal to the Scottish Junior Football Association. If they fail it could be the end of a club struggling to regroup and climb the table.

Harthill, who see themselves as innocent partners in the whole incident, will also find it difficult to pay this money although they have a small social club which could help out. But their main worry comes this weekend. They are involved in a Scottish Cup tie at home to Shotts Bon Accord in what is a derby.

Their grounds are only three miles apart and a huge crowd is expected. The Harthill officials fear a younger, more boisterous element of Shotts supporters are heading for the game and, if any trouble arises, then Harthill could see their good behaviour Bond disappear overnight.

Again, no-one at the club was available for comment but they too are considering an appeal.