Airdrie fans have launched a fundraiser to back a Cove Rangers supporter assaulted by their own fellow supporters at the weekend’s game.
Michael Anderson, from Aberdeen, was in a group of Cove Rangers fans who were attacked by an Airdrieonians group following the game on Saturday.
The 33-year-old needed to be taken to hospital after the incident for treatment.
Mr Anderson explained there had been no animosity before or during the game. He had mixed with Airdrie fans in a local pub before the match, and his group had even given some a lift on their supporter’s bus.
However, following the game, Mr Anderson was the victim of an unprovoked attack and had two of his teeth broken and was knocked unconscious.
The Cove supporter does not remember what happened other than waiting to get on the bus and being in an ambulance on his way to the hospital unable to remember his own postcode.
Last night, an Airdrie fan who had also attended the match decided to reach out to Mr Anderson to try make amends.
‘Overwhelmed by support from Airdrie’
Airdrie fan Colin Telford had been at the game with his dad, brother and seven-year-old nephew.
He explained that the fans all agreed what happened to Mr Anderson and the other Cove Rangers supporters was “outrageous”.
“I think we all feel a real sense of shame that it happened in our town and on our ground,” he said.
Mr Telford, who hosts a podcast called Only the Lonely, said he wanted to try make a difference and “make it clear how sorry we are”.
He said: “I’d reached out to Michael on Twitter and then he mentioned that his fiancé had recently undergone cancer treatment.
“So we’re raising money to pay for the extra travel he shouldn’t have had and the dental work he needs, and then any excess can go to cancer charities that helped his fiancé.
“That’s the frustration, local football clubs and small clubs like Airdrie and Cove can be really good ways for the community to get round something and there is a real loving, caring community around about it.”
More than £1,400 raised after attack
Fans have already raised over £1,400 on the Go Fund Me page that Mr Telford set up last night.
Mr Anderson said he was “overwhelmed” by the response and support from Airdrie fans.
He said: “I actually got a couple of other messages from supporters of theirs apologising for what happened and they were shocked by the whole thing.
“But when Colin reached out it was a bit of a shock, to say the least.
“He reached out basically saying they couldn’t make up for what happened but they’d like to do something.”
He is not sure how much the dental costs will be yet, but he plans on donating any leftover money to Friends of Anchor who supported his fiance, Emma Barclay, while she was receiving treatment for lymphoma.
‘Maximum action will be taken’
Airdrieonians FC has launched an investigation following the attack on Cove Rangers fans after the 1-1 draw.
The club says is working closely with officers to identify the attackers and claim “maximum action will be taken”.
A police spokesman confirmed: “Officers were made aware of a disturbance outside Excelsior Stadium on Craigneuk Avenue, Airdrie, shortly after 5pm on Saturday, March 26.
“A 33-year-old man was assaulted and was taken by ambulance to Wishaw General Hospital for treatment. A second man, aged 29, was also assaulted and sustained minor injuries.
“Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.”