Retired policeman banned from Accies after abusing manager

Mar 11 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

AN ex-cop and his son have been banned from Hamilton Accies’ home games for the rest of the season, the Advertiser can reveal.

Former police constable Drew Russell (50) and his 22-year-old son, Derek, have been told to stay away from New Douglas Park until the end of the season.

The pair were barred over allegations that they directed foul and abusive language at Accies’ manager Billy Reid.

They are among 17 Accies supporters who the club have banned until the end of the season.

Fifteen were barred over allegations that they were linked to a disturbance in Paisley town centre during a match between St Mirren and Accies on February 27.

The Russells - who are season ticket-holders - are said to have directed abuse at Reid after a disappointing goalless draw with Kilmarnock at the SPL club’s stadium on January 26.

In a statement, the club said: “We have banned two supporters from New Douglas Park following the club’s home match against Kilmarnock in January and matters arising therefrom.

“The bans will be reviewed at the end of the current playing season.”

However, the Russells, of Tannochside, are unhappy about the ban.

Drew Russell, who is originally from Hamilton and attended Hamilton Grammar and St John’s Primary, was a police constable for 30 years.

He started his service in Glasgow before moving to Lanarkshire and was working in the police control room at Motherwell up until his retiral last year.

Mr Russell has been an Accies’ supporter for 37 years and this season paid £150 to sponsor goalkeeper Tomas Cerny.

He denied swearing and said fans who had been standing nearby at the time of the incident said Billy Reid had himself been robust and forthright in the language he used when he replied to the complaints about Accies’ performance.

Mr Russell said: “I was definitely shouting, though. I was telling them that the way they were playing, and the decisions Reid was making, were disgraceful. We weren’t happy. The performance against Killie was a disgrace.

“We went for a 0-0 draw against a team who were struggling and whoms we should have been beating.

“The fans weren’t happy and we walked down to the front of the stand at the end of the game along with 30 to 40 other supporters. “A lot of us were shouting down at Reid, giving him abuse.

“Billy Reid was looking straight at me when I was shouting and I saw him mouth something back. Other people heard what he said, but I didn’t.

“After he went up the tunnel, we all stood and clapped the players off.

“It wasn’t until afterwards we heard them moaning about people swearing. I certainly was shouting, but I never swore.”

Drew Russell said he is well-known to the club for his strong opinions.

He said: “They know that when I’m not happy I’ll make it known.

“I’ve had a few run-ins with the club before because of that. Unfortunately, if you so much as say boo to the current regime, that’ll be you an outcast.

“There are a number of fans on the messageboards that take chairman Ronnie MacDonald’s word as gospel, but I’m not like that.

“I hope to be let back in next season, after they’ve reviewed the ban.”

He said he had written to the club complaining about the ban.

They acknowledged the letter but refused to rescind the ban.

Graduate student Derek Russell, who works at McDonalds, accepted that his choice of words had been robust.

“I did swear, to be fair,” he added. “But since that day, the team have got some good results, so we’re quite happy with their play just now.”