Anger as Pars fan taken out for throwing ball back
Graham Gibson • Published 11 May 2012 08:55
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FUNNY WAY OF ASSISTING: John is told his match is over.
Photo: Craig Brown.
A PARS fan who became an emergency ball boy in Dunfermline's doomed fight against relegation was chucked out of Easter Road by high-strung Hibs stewards.
With the Pars 3-0 down in Monday night's crucial clash and no ball boys to be seen, John Heeps jumped the perimeter wall and threw it to Joe Cardle so the winger could take a quick corner kick.
Before he could take his seat back next to his 11-year-old son, John was grabbed by the stewards and huckled out of the ground.
John, of Muirside Grove, Cairneyhil, who was attending his first away game of the season, said, "We were sitting right at the front behind the goals.
"The ball went out and was sitting right in front of us but over the perimeter wall.
"There were no ball boys in the second half, that old slowing down tactic, so I went over, picked up the ball and threw it to the corner where Cardle was standing.
"I turned round to come back over and the boy grabbed me and said, 'You're out'.
"I said, 'You're joking, what about my 11-year-old laddie?'
"He said he could come with me or stay there. Luckily I was with other boys so I told him to stay with those guys and I'd see him outside the ground.
"That is the joys of Scottish football for you."
John was so angry he telephoned Easter Road the very next day to make a complaint.
"I was pretty peeved about it. I spoke to the security boy and he said I was lucky I wasn't arrested as that's what happens to anybody that goes over the wall.
"I wasn't going on to abuse the ref or shout at a player. I went to throw a football back so the game would carry on.
"The reaction of the Pars fans was more likely to cause any bother than me climbing over the wall as they were going off their head."
The incident happened 15 minutes into the second half and John admits he might not have felt so bad if it had happened earlier.
"If the boy had chucked me out after 15 minutes when we were 3-0 down I would have said fair enough," he joked.
"It doesn't put me off going back as I have got black and white blood in my veins but Scottish football needs to attract fans and that's a funny way to do it.
"I thought the boy was totally out of order. By the law of the land I was wrong but I was just trying to get the game started. It is comical more than anything.
"It was a good throw too as it went right to Cardle's feet. These are the joys of being a Pars fan. Roll on next year."
Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston said, "I saw the whole incident and all he was doing was trying to speed the game up.
"The ball had got stuck between the small retaining wall and the advertising boards, he jumped over, got the ball and threw it to a player.
"It was nothing. I couldn't believe what happened but I couldn't believe they gave that fourth goal either!"
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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******
May 11, 23:53
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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B2theB
145 posts
May 12, 13:21
Report commentUnderstand his actions, but it does plainly say either on your ticket, or somewhere around the ground "do not attempt to enter the playing arena" (or words to that effect).
Them's the rules, take 'em or leave 'em.
Recommend?
Yes 18
No 3
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DrewCarnegie
65 posts
May 14, 18:11
Report commentJail him for committing such a horrific crime
Recommend? Yes 6
No 2
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B2theB
145 posts
May 14, 20:10
Report commentIt's not a crime to be a Pars fan, is it ?
Recommend? Yes 4
No 3
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kaka30
311 posts
May 15, 08:17
Report commentThe worlds gone mad, our lives are being micro managed by rules.
There doesnt seam to be any place for common sense these days & to have no ball boys, well it just shows you how desperate, unsure & unsporting Hibs were.
Recommend? Yes 9
No 3
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MrsScottsWeeLaddie
48 posts
May 15, 10:39
Report commentI don't really think Hibs needed the lack of ball boys to win that game, we were so poor! They were poor this season too, but were able to cuff us 4-0 in the "big decider"! Says it all really!
The guy shouldn't have jumped over the hoardings, when you go to football, you know not to do that.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 2
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Chorthie
39 posts
May 15, 11:07
Report commentIt was 3-0... 4th was never a goal in a month of Sundays!
Recommend? Yes 2
No 15
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redrobin
285 posts
May 15, 16:32
Report commentThis will probably be removed by the 'moderator' who seems to be an 'intolerator' and before u start jolly molly it's called freedom of speech unless of course your are the moderator? now there's a thought? Heaven forbid!!!
Why do we need security at a football match anyway? no wonder it's expensive! I thought it was about 22 persons trying to score or prevent a goal!
And if this is removed by the moderator? No wonder provincial newspapers are losing readers.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 40
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******
May 24, 22:43
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