Former PC's fury over ban from Accies grounds

Jul 22 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

A FORMER cop has blasted Hamilton Accies after learning that he’s banned from attending the club’s home matches for the whole of season 2010-11.

And Drew Russell (51) claims the club performed a u-turn after originally advising him to pick up his season ticket.

Tannochside man Drew and his son Derek were banned from the SPL club’s New Douglas Park stadium for allegedly directing foul and abusive language towards team boss Billy Reid following a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock last season.

At the same time 15 other fans were banned for their part in a riot in Paisley.

Drew had hoped the ban would be lifted in time for the new season’s kick-off on August 14, but will now instead watch junior side Thorniewood United.

He said: “I got a phone call from Tom Purdie to say my season ticket was available and I could come and get it. I went in, bought it, and was then told a week later that the situation had been reviewed and the club had changed their mind. I was given my money back.

“I think they realised that I would be back sitting behind Billy Reid and decided to ban me for that reason. The wording is that the ban stands until the end of the season.

“The chief executive George Paterson was meant to write to me to explain, and has never done so.”

Drew, who is originally from Hamilton and was a police constable for 30 years, said: “Hamilton say they’re a family club but they’re not really. They’re not interested in the fans.

“I’ve been watching Accies since 1972 so that’s 38 years of supporting them and they hit me with this? It’s not very good PR.

“There has been absolutely no contact with my son Derek either, so I don’t know if he’s still banned.

“I feel that we’ve been lumped in with the people who fought in Paisley and that we’ve been tarred with the same brush - and that’s ridiculous – I shouted but I maintain that I didn’t swear at Billy Reid.”

Drew added: “I’m annoyed but in the long-run I will be better off. I’ll stick to away games and I’ll be around when the current regime have left.

“I don’t feel angry at the club – I’m still an Accies supporter – but rather my anger is towards the current stewardship of the club; the chairman and board of directors.

“I’m still a passionate fan and I’ll still go to the away games and otherwise I’ll watch Thorniewood United, my local junior team.

“I went to a friendly recently and the manager came over to say it was great to see me back – they welcome you with open arms and are friendly, unlike Accies.”

Hamilton Accies said Drew’s ban was an “unanimous board decision”.