Falkirk suspend matchday announcer over Rangers ‘Sevco’ jibes

TUESDAY’S Ramsdens Cup tie between Falkirk and Rangers could have an edge to it after the First Division side suspended their matchday announcer, Dave McIntosh, following announcements at their home game with Raith Rovers at the weekend.

McIntosh’s half-time Third Division scores round-up is believed to have included “the Sevco franchise 2, East Stirling 1”, while “the final score from Castle Greyskull was Sevco franchise, 5 East Stirling 1”.

Sevco 5088 was the company established by Charles Green, now chief executive of Rangers, when he fronted a take-over of the club during their administration.

Castle Greyskull is a fortress in the 1980s Masters of the Universe cartoon series.

The term has long been used as derogatory name for Ibrox. BBC weathergirl Kirsty McCabe was criticised when she used the term in 2006. She had told fans they should “wrap up warm if they’re heading for Castle Greyskull” when Rangers played Livingston.

Rangers fans have reacted angrily to what they feel is an insult to their club.

Some online forum discussions have suggested fans don’t attend tonight’s game and, while that would not affect Falkirk financially as the majority of tickets have been sold, not attending the Scottish Communities League Cup tie when the sides meet at Ibrox on 30 August would.

East Fife brought in more than £200,000 from their visit to Glasgow in the first round and a low attendance at Ibrox for the meeting with Falkirk would certainly hurt the First Division side in the pocket.

Falkirk have moved quickly to defuse the situation by issuing an apology on their club website.

Chairman Martin Ritchie’s statement read: “It has been brought to our attention that our PA announcer made some inappropriate comments about Rangers at half-time on Saturday. We have already apologised to Rangers and would now like to apologise to the many Rangers supporters that have been in contact with the club.

“Falkirk FC are treating this incident very seriously and the individual concerned has been suspended from his duties, pending a full investigation by the club.”