Motherwell Ticket Snub To Turn Game To Laughing Stock

[Bothwellbear 1,392]

Motherwell play-off ticket snub to Rangers could turn second-leg of final into a laughing stock, warns Ibrox legend Derek Johnstone

IBROX legend Derek Johnstone has launched a blistering assault on Motherwell over their decision to hand only 1,500 tickets to Rangers fans for the second leg of the SPFL Premiership play-off final.

Wednesday 27/05/2015

The Fir Park side have infuriated the Light Blue legions by giving them only one-third of the South Stand at Fir Park following a breakdown in negotiations between the clubs over ticketing arrangements.

It is understood Motherwell believed they had secured 2,000 briefs for Thursday night's Ibrox showdown and were prepared to hand 4,800 to Rangers supporters.

However, they were given an allocation of 950 and Johnstone insists their response is set to turn Scottish football into a laughing stock by leaving a large section of the ground empty for such a showpiece fixture.

Hibs limited the allocation to Rangers supporters for the second leg of the semi-final after being denied a request for more Ibrox tickets and that match was played out with the away stand only around half-full.

"I think it is an absolute nonsense," said Johnstone. "I can understand why Motherwell are doing it because they are only getting

950 tickets for the first leg, but that is all they would take for a league game anyway.

"Rangers have sold out their stadium for the game. They are quite right to do what they have done.

"Motherwell wanted 2,000 tickets for Ibrox and didn't get them, so they are only willing to give 1,500 now.

"Fine. If that is the way you want to be, it is your home game and your choice.

"It is your stadium and you can do what you like, but it looks absolutely stupid.

"People down south will watch the game. There was a stand half-empty at Easter Road in the semi-final and it will be the same again at Fir Park.

"It looks absolutely ridiculous from the point of view of a spectacle for television.

"We are trying to get people to invest in the game and we are desperate to get people into grounds, but we are going to lock 3000 people out of the play-off final.

"Motherwell are saying they would rather leave half a stand empty. It is ridiculous."

Motherwell have announced that they are restricting the sale of tickets for Sunday's second leg to season ticket holders, Well Society members and those already registered on their ticketing database in an attempt to stop Rangers supporters sitting in sections reserved for home fans.

However, Johnstone has been informed that a number of Rangers supporters have already reserved seats in the Motherwell end and knows the security concerns that will bring.

"That is the worry and it is going to be down to Motherwell," he said.

"I have heard of Rangers fans getting tickets in the Motherwell sections.

"I am not going to say that there is going to be trouble, but it could cause problems and Motherwell have to take the blame

[Ibrox_Nights 429]

Probably the most sensible piece he's 'written' in years.

[montana100 335]

If we beat them by a good scoreline, their fans wont buy and they will be a national laughing stock.

[BridgeIsBlue 66,600]

If we beat them by a good scoreline, their fans wont buy and they will be a national laughing stock.

3-0 on Thursday and Fir Park will be empty

[RFC55 108,732]

I'll find out today if I'm in the home end. The polis might ensure we end up together

[jintybear 8,536]

I'll find out today if I'm in the home end. The polis might ensure we end up together

I don't know what to do about this. I know I can get home end tickets if I want them but I've been told by a Motherwell fan that they've to point out to security anyone they suspect is not a Motherwell supporter. Also I don't think I could bear it not cheering when my team score ! I'm seriously thinking of just going to the pub!

[Malvern 11,329]

They are only hurting themselves and next year when they need the money languishing in the Championship they can look back at the days of taking the blue pound with fondness.

[RFC55 108,732]

I don't know what to do about this. I know I can get home end tickets if I want them but I've been told by a Motherwell fan that they've to point out to security anyone they suspect is not a Motherwell supporter. Also I don't think I could bear it not cheering when my team score ! I'm seriously thinking of just going to the pub!

Jinty all of that was said before Killie. When they realised there was thousands there they ushers folk along the stand to a "neutral" zone. I hope to fuck the polis are trying to get Motherwell to think about doing something like this or it could be bonkers

[Westwood Bear 61]

I'm pretty sure if they're are thousands of frustrated and angry bears outside at KO, causing a safety and security risk, the police will force the opening of the remainder of the stand. I've seen it happen before at other stadiums.

[B1872 20,650]

Agree with DJ that it looks bad for Scottish football. However as I said previously Motherwell will be trying to give themselves every opportunity to go through, whether we like it or not it's their prerogative!

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

And yet we still fund these wee scumbag clubs.

You want to hurt them keep your money in your pocket and starve the cunts.

[Gillete 1,338]

I don't know what to do about this. I know I can get home end tickets if I want them but I've been told by a Motherwell fan that they've to point out to security anyone they suspect is not a Motherwell supporter. Also I don't think I could bear it not cheering when my team score ! I'm seriously thinking of just going to the pub!

Nonsense mate

If you aren't wearing colours , how can they prove what team you support

Don't let that worry you

[graeme_4 34,357]

I'm pretty sure if they're are thousands of frustrated and angry bears outside at KO, causing a safety and security risk, the police will force the opening of the remainder of the stand. I've seen it happen before at other stadiums.

Not a chance, and a terrible idea to try.

[burnbank bear 342]

don't be daft !! get a ticket for any part of the ground you can and get to the game it's only Motherwell

[TMB 14,167]

I've been told by a Motherwell fan that they've to point out to security anyone they suspect is not a Motherwell supporter.

[Zulu 981]

I only hope we put this game to bed on Thursday an work it right up them.

[BLUEDIGNITY 33,638]

Big DJ brought the display cabinet for this hard hittin piece of courageous journalism ! Right intae them big man and fight our corner, some man !

[cushynumber 25,178]

the tit for tat petty jealousies, parochialism and idiocy shows up the embarrassment Scottish Football has become. We dont have any leaders only leemings.

I never thought I would look back on the days of Jim Farry with longing - but when you look back his departure was the start of a long and bitter campaign by the cellic minded to undermine everybody they perceived to be against them. Decades on, what has this campaign actually achieved for Scottish football?

look around you. Its a desert.

[andyhrfc 2,242]

Both Rangers and Motherwell are to blame for this fiasco, probably in the 20% Rangers / 80% Motherwell ratio. In the English premier league away clubs are entitled to 10% of the ground capacity but the home club can provide more if they wish. League Cup is 10% of capacity and FA Cup 15%. By these standards Motherwell would have been entitled to 3000-7500 tickets so giving them 2000 is no big deal. They could have been charged up front for the lot. We can argue that they normally only take 950 but we do not normally sell out 50000 tickets so normal does not apply. This is not a normal game for either club. As for Motherwell their pathetic tit for tat response is set to seriously compromise safety and create a laughing stock of a show piece Scottish game. Will look really good when it comes to negotiating TV deals, TV money is the life blood of Scottish football and this move could cost millions of pounds, with ultimately the likes of Motherwell going under. This ridiculous prohibition on non-registered fans buying tickets is only going to encourage some serious touting and the potential for trouble when desperate fans relieve touts of their tickets. There was nothing whatsoever to stop Motherwell fans buying tickets amongst home support at Ibrox and I am sure some will have done.

[RFC55 108,732]

Rangers are in no way to blame. That's Motherwells usual allocation and its one they never sell out.

[bombaybadboy08 15,660]

Both Rangers and Motherwell are to blame for this fiasco, probably in the 20% Rangers / 80% Motherwell ratio. In the English premier league away clubs are entitled to 10% of the ground capacity but the home club can provide more if they wish. League Cup is 10% of capacity and FA Cup 15%. By these standards Motherwell would have been entitled to 3000-7500 tickets so giving them 2000 is no big deal. They could have been charged up front for the lot. We can argue that they normally only take 950 but we do not normally sell out 50000 tickets so normal does not apply. This is not a normal game for either club. As for Motherwell their pathetic tit for tat response is set to seriously compromise safety and create a laughing stock of a show piece Scottish game. Will look really good when it comes to negotiating TV deals, TV money is the life blood of Scottish football and this move could cost millions of pounds, with ultimately the likes of Motherwell going under. This ridiculous prohibition on non-registered fans buying tickets is only going to encourage some serious touting and the potential for trouble when desperate fans relieve touts of their tickets. There was nothing whatsoever to stop Motherwell fans buying tickets amongst home support at Ibrox and I am sure some will have done.

Motherwell don't deserve any more, neither did Hibs.

There's already Bears missing out on the match at Ibrox as it is never mind catering for their big time supporters.

When they can half fill their ground every week they may have a case to ask for more tickets but even at that, our fans come first.

0 percent blame apportioned to Rangers IMO.

[GOAT 30,449]

Both Rangers and Motherwell are to blame for this fiasco, probably in the 20% Rangers / 80% Motherwell ratio. In the English premier league away clubs are entitled to 10% of the ground capacity but the home club can provide more if they wish. League Cup is 10% of capacity and FA Cup 15%. By these standards Motherwell would have been entitled to 3000-7500 tickets so giving them 2000 is no big deal. They could have been charged up front for the lot. We can argue that they normally only take 950 but we do not normally sell out 50000 tickets so normal does not apply. This is not a normal game for either club. As for Motherwell their pathetic tit for tat response is set to seriously compromise safety and create a laughing stock of a show piece Scottish game. Will look really good when it comes to negotiating TV deals, TV money is the life blood of Scottish football and this move could cost millions of pounds, with ultimately the likes of Motherwell going under. This ridiculous prohibition on non-registered fans buying tickets is only going to encourage some serious touting and the potential for trouble when desperate fans relieve touts of their tickets. There was nothing whatsoever to stop Motherwell fans buying tickets amongst home support at Ibrox and I am sure some will have done.

We are to blame for fuck all. Motherwell and Hibs last week got the allocation they always get for Ibrox.

[Bakbear 3,580]

Fuck them. This is just the start. Let them cut off their nose to spite their faces. This hurts everyone but Rangers.

[Beaujolais 1,371]

Fuck them. This is just the start. Let them cut off their nose to spite their faces. This hurts everyone but Rangers.

Total agreement.

[1690tamRFC 5,001]

Fuck them. This is just the start. Let them cut off their nose to spite their faces. This hurts everyone but Rangers.

It hurts supporters like me that would have been guaranteed a ticket if the allocation stayed at 4800, and now have fucking no chance of getting one