Response from Rangers regarding Kilmarnock - Club 1872

[eskbankloyal 19,446]

Club 1872 has been in dialogue with Rangers since the events at Rugby Park on Sunday, 4th August which saw hundreds of Rangers supporters placed in a dangerous situation whilst attempting to enter the ground. Following a debrief meeting last Friday, Club 1872 is pleased to share a response from Rangers to enquiries from Club 1872 regarding the events that day.

We know that Rangers remain concerned about safety at Rugby Park and we have been assured that they will continue to liaise with Police Scotland, Kilmarnock FC and East Ayrshire Council ahead of future visits.

"Following a debriefing meeting at Rugby Park at the end of last week, Rangers is happy to provide an update to supporters, who have been calling for clarification on issues arising from the match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday, August 4. 

Rangers felt it appropriate and sensible to wait until after the post-match debriefing session before commenting despite many others, including a Kilmarnock director, Phyllis McLeish, pundits and a politician, William Coffey, making misinformed as well as misleading comments.

However, now that the events of last Sunday have been fully analysed by all parties, we can offer a reasoned and fact-based insight into what happened.

Kilmarnock’s new ticketing system did indeed fail despite suggestions to the contrary. It has been accepted there was also a failure to deal properly with the problems this caused. There was no recognisable plan of action to deal with such a situation and it was very close to kick off before someone thought the problem, which had started to cause panic among those Rangers supporters, who were being pushed and squeezed together toward the turnstiles, should be brought to the attention of the police. By that time some Rangers fans were being crushed and in a state of alarm, and there are many testimonies which bear that out.

Kilmarnock has accepted their ticketing system failed (and that there had been problems with it at the game against Connahs Quay Nomads) despite one of their directors promoting the irresponsible notion there had been no operational problems. We would hope to receive a retraction and an apology from Kilmarnock for having pointed the finger of blame at Rangers fans for the issues which arose ahead of kick off. Those pundits, particularly two BBC Scotland contributors, Michael Stewart and Tom English, who made flippant and insulting comments without knowing the facts of what actually happened, might also wish to reconsider their comments and apologise now that the debriefing has revealed that a ticketing failure, and not the impatience of Rangers fans, caused the problem before the kick off on Sunday.

Mr Coffey might also wish to reconsider his own words.

No one at the debriefing disputed the view that there would not have been congestion and supporters would have gained admission smoothly and safely had the system operated properly. This view is supported by Police Scotland.

Rangers believe it was correct procedure to wait until after the debriefing, called by East Ayrshire Council’s legal services department, who issue the safety certificate for Rugby Park, before commenting.

Although there has been an attempt to roll everything that happened at Rugby Park into one issue it is important to retain a sense of perspective and balance. The congestion before the match had no bearing on what happened at the end of the game when Rangers fans went on to the pitch to celebrate a late winning goal. Their presence on the pitch cannot be condoned and Rangers are working with Police Scotland to identify and trace those who crossed the line between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

The same applies to the handful of fans who jumped on to the roof of the enclosure reserved for disabled supporters causing that covering to collapse. Their behaviour endangered the safety of their fellow fans and we are fortunate no one was badly hurt. Those fans will also be dealt with appropriately as soon as they are identified.

Rangers believes the safety of all fans to be paramount and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour whether away or at home."

[.Williamson. 82,113]

2 minutes ago, Rangers_no1 said:

People won't be happy about the latter points...

Don't see how anyone can argue them. 

The club aren't going to be like we loved the on pitch celebrations, more of that please 

[To Be A Ranger 4,032]

Good update except that 2 fans on the disabled enclosure roof are not a 'handful'.

Now let's see if the Killie director and those 2 media tossers apologise for their comments

[jaywalker 377]

3 minutes ago, Rangers_no1 said:

People won't be happy about the latter points...

Why? It is spot on. Show me one bit that is wrong.

[Reformation Bear 6,453]

I suspect Rangers will be waiting for a very long time for an apology from the BBC people mentioned in the OP.    More likely they will use the response to twist it to suit their own biased agenda.    There is nowhere near the amount of humility in the BBC people to offer an unreserved apology, nor from their BBC paymasters.    

It will be interesting to see if Kilmarnock endorse the response or whether they will try to put a different interpretive spin on it.

One thing the response does not touch on is whether the incident should be investigated by the HSE and whether Kilmarnock were in breach of any legal obligations in relation to safety of fans.    For example, the extent to which it was this caused by wilful or otherwise negligence by Kilmarnock.    The ticketing failure; the resultant circumstances which caused fans to be 'pushed and squeezed' (is that intended to be politically correct speak for 'crushed'?); and the absence of 'a recognisable plan' to deal with the failure bearing in mind there seems to have been an incident at their recent European match, might all point to consideration being given as to whether Kilmarnock had failed to comply with HSE laws.

The other thing not really covered in detail in the response is what steps Rangers will require Kilmarnock to take to remedy the problems and what information Rangers will require from Kilmarnock about arrangements (including details safety plans and resources) to be applied for future games.     Or are we to assume that just because a response has been issued then that somehow puts things right for future games.      No doubt Club 1872 will be on the case and providing an update on safety matters for Kilmarnock away games now that its clear Kilmarnock fell well short of their duty of care to away supporters and their willingness to blame before establishing facts.   

[Leeds_Bear 8,104]

Good statement but by not commenting the club left a vacuum which meant our usual enemies were able to set and control the narrative. I can't believe how bad our club's PR still is - time for some fresh blood. 

[GOAT 30,449]

See by “dealt with”, I hope they mind a word about future conduct and that’s it.  Disgraceful if any bear is banned for that!

[Malvern 11,329]

27 minutes ago, Rangers_no1 said:

People won't be happy about the latter points...

If you invade a pitch and start jumping on a disabled corrugated roof shelter I am sorry, you deserve a big kick in the baws for being an arsehole.

Just a pity the SFA don't really think Hibs or Motherwell fro previous years were that important.

[Big Al 55 9,245]

The content is reasonable, the composition is that of a child, at best. It’s not a professional we’re dealing with here is it?

[Reformation Bear 6,453]

2 minutes ago, Leeds_Bear said:

Good statement but by not commenting the club left a vacuum which meant our usual enemies were able to set and control the narrative. I can't believe how bad our club's PR still is - time for some fresh blood. 

At the very least the Club could have put out a much earlier statement along the lines of the following  (so that we know that action is being taken and to expect an update):

• we note and disagree with the premature remarks from a Kilmarnock director which seek to apportion blame on Rangers before facts are established;
• we note with continued anger and deep concern the continued anti-Rangers reporting by the BBC who are also minded to comment in public before facts are established;
• We take the health and safety of all supporters at games involving Rangers very seriously.    Anything which causes safety issues is a matter which Rangers will investigate fully and will seek immediate and effective remedies.;
• An enquiry is being held at which Rangers will present the facts and present our views of the incdent.   That enquiry is being hosted by East Ayrshire Council's legal services department.   We will report the outcome as soon as it is available.  

 

 

[Leeds_Bear 8,104]

Just now, Reformation Bear said:

At the very least the Club could have put out a much earlier statement along the lines of the following  (so that we know that action is being taken and to expect an update):

• we note and disagree with the premature remarks from a Kilmarnock director which seek to apportion blame on Rangers before facts are established;
• we note with continued anger and deep concern the continued anti-Rangers reporting by the BBC who are also minded to comment in public before facts are established;
• We take the health and safety of all supporters at games involving Rangers very seriously.    Anything which causes safety issues is a matter which Rangers will investigate fully and will seek immediate and effective remedies.;
• An enquiry is being held at which Rangers will present the facts and present our views of the incdent.   That enquiry is being hosted by East Ayrshire Council's legal services department.   We will report the outcome as soon as it is available.  

 

 

Exactly and we also had enough information to know a crush took place, we should have been swift with our response - not send it out ten fucking days later. 

[Bears r us 30,791]

My only comment is why was that not put on the Rangers website ? (I have looked but cannot find it)

Surely all Rangers fans should have access to what the Club have said, not just those who are  C1872 members. Our PR is ridiculous.  

[Reformation Bear 6,453]

2 minutes ago, Bears r us said:

My only comment is why was that not put on the Rangers website ? (I have looked but cannot find it)

Surely all Rangers fans should have access to what the Club have said, not just those who are  C1872 members. Our PR is ridiculous.  

Good point.  Maybe they will get round to issuing a Club Statement and maybe even a press statement. 

After all the BBC as a dominant media provider has every opportunity to put its views out on radio and television as often as it wants and on an unchecked basis so they will most probably respond to the Club 1872 note except they will aim it at Rangers itself and not Club 1872.      

[BookWorm 4,119]

18 minutes ago, Bears r us said:

My only comment is why was that not put on the Rangers website ? (I have looked but cannot find it)

Surely all Rangers fans should have access to what the Club have said, not just those who are  C1872 members. Our PR is ridiculous.  

The PR at the club over the last 7 years has been farcical at best.

[Bears r us 30,791]

20 minutes ago, Reformation Bear said:

Good point.  Maybe they will get round to issuing a Club Statement and maybe even a press statement. 

After all the BBC as a dominant media provider has every opportunity to put its views out on radio and television as often as it wants and on an unchecked basis so they will most probably respond to the Club 1872 note except they will aim it at Rangers itself and not Club 1872.      

If the Club put out that statement RB, it would be all over the papers and other media, but we seem to hide behind C1872  to say things rather than just be up front and let fans see the Club are defending the fans in what can be defended. 

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

16 minutes ago, Bears r us said:

My only comment is why was that not put on the Rangers website ? (I have looked but cannot find it)

Surely all Rangers fans should have access to what the Club have said, not just those who are  C1872 members. Our PR is ridiculous.  

It seems as though it’s not an official statement.

Nothing reported on the radio about it, normally they would be reporting an official statement from Rangers.

They may get round to it at some point but I doubt we will see any apologies from English or Stewart, they’ll just hide behind Journalistic freedom 

[Bears r us 30,791]

1 minute ago, BookWorm said:

The PR at the club over the last 7 years has been farcical at best.

It is very frustrating mate, it really is. 

[SeparateEntityMyArse 53,714]

If there's proof plod or stewards opened the gate then we should have said and evidenced that.

[Bears r us 30,791]

Just now, ritchieshearercaldow said:

It seems as though it’s not an official statement.

Nothing reported on the radio about it, normally they would be reporting an official statement from Rangers.

They may get round to it at some point but I doubt we will see any apologies from English or Stewart, they’ll just hide behind Journalistic freedom 

It seems the Club do not want to put it out themselves, is it so they do not offend anyone ? I just cannot understand why they use C1872 like this it makes no sense and just seems we are weak. We do need to get some proper PR put in place. 

 

[Supersonic 4,654]

"Rangers felt it appropriate and sensible to wait until after the post-match debriefing session before commenting despite many others, including a Kilmarnock director, Phyllis McLeish, pundits and a politician, William Coffey, making misinformed as well as misleading comments."

That really showed them...

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

4 minutes ago, Bears r us said:

It seems the Club do not want to put it out themselves, is it so they do not offend anyone ? I just cannot understand why they use C1872 like this it makes no sense and just seems we are weak. We do need to get some proper PR put in place. 

 

The club could quite easily have put out an official statement without trying to shame the detractors. It could have been put out in a way that shames them without naming them.

All they need to do is state that no fault lay with the fans but was purely down to incompetence at the turnstiles 

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,137]

3 minutes ago, Supersonic said:

"Rangers felt it appropriate and sensible to wait until after the post-match debriefing session before commenting despite many others, including a Kilmarnock director, Phyllis McLeish, pundits and a politician, William Coffey, making misinformed as well as misleading comments."

That really showed them...

Not really, I don’t think they read C1872 statements, they might see something in the papers but it won’t name them publicly.

[Supersonic 4,654]

1 minute ago, ritchieshearercaldow said:

Not really, I don’t think they read C1872 statements, they might see something in the papers but it won’t name them publicly.

Exactly my point. It's limp as fuck as per usual. They'd have been as well not bothering with this to be honest.

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

1 hour ago, jaywalker said:

Why? It is spot on. Show me one bit that is wrong.

The enclosure not being fit for purpose and Kilmarnock ignoring repeated warnings from the council to fix it. 

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

Why do they continue with the lie that 1872 and the club are separate.