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Merry Christmas


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The Trouble
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It was a white Christmas with black stripes in Clydebank as seven thousand pilgrims from Paisley invaded the town to see their team St Mirren play the Bankies in the top of the table clash at Kilbowie.

Unfortunately not all the visitors brought festive good cheer with them. Trouble began half an hour before kick-off when hundreds of Saints fans charged like enraged bulls at the greatly outnumbered home supporters.

Several cans and bottles, not all of them empty, were thrown. Peace was restored relatively quickly and Clydebank Director Jack Steedman pleaded with the fans to behave themselves.

He said, “We have deliberately kept the police presence to a minimum, but if there is another hint of trouble we shall have to call in reinforcements."

Regrettably, the trouble flared up again during the match. After 25 minutes, Clydebank took the lead through Mike Larnach, and as the Bankies' fans celebrated, they were showered with bottles and cans thrown by the Paisley supporters,

As they scattered, the home fans were again chased by a wave of about 200 drink-crazed youths,

Running fights broke out, and fathers had to throw their young sons over the barrier and on to the playing surface to avoid the danger.

Referee Eddie Thomson, of Edinburgh, held up play for six minutes as order was restored, and extra police brought in from Glasgow's support unit.

Eleven arrests were made, and at least one youngster was carried from the arena on a stretcher. Clydebank's first aid boys were run off their feet tending to the many with cuts and bruises.

Again Jack Steedman pleaded over the loudspeaker for order to be restored. He said: “This is the first trouble we have had in 11 years of Senior football, and it's spoiling what should be a great occasion.”

Although there were a few more minor scuffles, no more major incidents occurred, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw,

Luckily the hooligans did not interrupt the pre-match festivities. Santa Claus led both sides on to the pitch and each player sported a giant letter above his head which all went together to spell "MERRY CHRISTMAS."

Each team manager, the linesmen and the referee were presented with gifts, and the players distributed plastic footballs among young boys in the crowd.

Most people had a great afternoon.

Nine of those arrested appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday charged with causing a breach of the peace. Six pleaded not guilty and will appear again for trial.

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