Dunfermline: Pars say North West Stand could close over fan behaviour

The club have said that missiles being thrown from the North West Stand could lead to its closure for "some competitive matches" if such incidents occur, having "exhausted all other measures in dealing with unacceptable conduct in this stand".

It follows the recent Fife derby with Raith Rovers, on Friday September 13, in which the Pars said that the assistant referee was struck by an object thrown from the crowd, whilst "thousands of pounds of damage" to seats was also caused.

Dunfermline chiefs have written to season ticket holders in the North West Stand and said that an official was hit by something thrown from the crowd for a "third consecutive game", and that assistant referees are "receiving briefings ahead of games to warn them of the likely behaviour of our fans in the North West stand and to be on guard for missiles".

In addition, the club said that "many seats", which they say cost £130 each to repair, were broken, whilst they have also been challenged by both police and the SPFL over the use of pyrotechnics.

The Pars did highlight the continued "fantastic" atmosphere generated within the ground during the Rovers match, which ended in a 2-0 victory, which "epitomised the positive effects of a vociferous support".

They also noted a pre-match display celebrating the life of late former Dunfermline player, Sol Bamba, which saw his family and friends contact to the club to thank the support for their thoughts, but felt that they had to "highlight several recent issues that had led to the football authorities and police putting severe pressure on the club".

In their letter to season card holders in the North West Stand, the club wrote: "Following last Friday night's match against Raith Rovers we are writing to you as a season card holder in the North West stand.

"The atmosphere has continued to be fantastic and we have never taken this support for granted. Friday's match epitomised the positive effects of a vociferous support, pushing the squad over the line for an important three points.

"Likewise the Tifo celebrating the life of Sol Bamba highlights the togetherness of the Pars family, with friends and family of Sol reaching out to the club thanking the support for their thoughts and prayers.

"For all this good, we do unfortunately have to highlight several recent issues that has led to the football authorities and Police putting severe pressure on the club.

"In the home end last Friday night thousands of pounds of damage was caused, with many seats broken along with the metal backings that fix the seats to the concrete stand. Not only does a replacement seat and backing cost £130 per unit but supporters, in numbers, standing on their seats poses a significant safety risk to the individual supporter and all around them. We would like to reiterate supporters should sit in their allocated seat and not move to other areas of the stadium.

"Going forward, supporters who are identified as breaking / damaging their seats will be charged for this and could face club bans. A number of season card holders whose seats were broken at last Friday night's match have been written to as we seek explanations on why this occurred.

"Despite the club warning, we continue to see pyrotechnics used at KDM Group East End Park. This is against the law and the Police are reviewing CCTV to identify any supporters who have brought in or participated in the use of pyrotechnics. We have also been challenged by both the Police and the SPFL on whether we are doing enough to prevent these incidents.

"Most seriously, during last Friday night's match, the assistant referee in front of the North West stand was struck by an object, with further objects thrown in his direction during the course of the match. Regrettably this is the third consecutive game that the assistant referee in question has officiated at KDM Group East End Park and has been struck by objects. Due to the regular frequency of these incidents, assistant referees are now receiving briefings ahead of games to warn them of the likely behaviour of our fans in the North West stand and to be on guard for missiles.

"This is wholly unacceptable and damages the club. DAFC are now being challenged by the authorities to take much stronger action against 'unacceptable conduct' that has stemmed from a small group of supporters in the North West stand, tarnishing the reputation of our largely fantastic backing.

"If objects continue to be thrown at officials the only next step available to us is to close down the North West stand for some competitive matches. Whilst we know that this will punish many supporters who have had nothing to do with these incidents, we have exhausted all other measures in dealing with unacceptable conduct in this stand.

"The football authorities have put us on our final warning around this topic and everyone at KDM Group East End Park would like to reiterate that supporters should refrain from throwing any objects on to the pitch at any time.

"We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday for another hugely important match as we take on Queen's Park. Your support is never taken for granted and we hope collectively we can help push James and the squad on for another positive result."