Another four men sentenced after Glasgow brawl following Hibs cup tie

Another four more men were sentenced today to Football Banning Orders and given Community Payback Orders to carry out unpaid work for their part in a large scale disturbance at Glasgow Central Station following the Scottish Cup match between Ayr United and Hibs at Somerset Park, Ayr on 10 March 2012.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that at about 7.10pm the train from Ayr to Glasgow, carrying supporters home from the tie, arrived at Glasgow Central and a number of them got off with some making their way towards the Hope Street station exit.

At the same time a group of supporters, affiliated to other clubs not involved in the tie, left a nearby bar in Waterloo Street and entered the station from Hope Street. As the two sets of fans came together in the entrance a large scale brawl ensued causing bystanders to flee.

One of the men was Andrew Blance (48) from Inverkeithing who authored the book ‘Hibs Boys: The Life and Times of Scotland’s Most Notorious Football Hooligans.’ The book tells of him escapades at the heart of the infamous gang known as the Capital City Service CCS and of fights with rival supporters as well as drug dealing and extortion.

He was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, and banned from attending football matches for three years. In addition, he was ordered to wear an electronic tag for 100 days.

The others sentenced today were Alexander Cockburn (42) from Edinburgh who was also ordered  to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and banned from attending football matches for two years, Ryan Low (25) from Edinburgh who was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and banned from attending football matches for two years, and  also ordered to wear an electronic tag for 60 days and Leon Walker (29) from Edinburgh who was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, and banned from attending football matches for 30 months.

Speaking today Stephen Ferguson, Football Liaison Prosecutor for the West of Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “These men were part of an organised group intent on causing trouble and engaging in large scale public disorder.

Thirteen others have already been sentenced in connection with this incident.

“This is the 21st century and such shameful behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Members of the public going about their business will not be subjected to intimidation and unacceptable conduct such as this and we will continue to do all in our power to bring those who perpetrate such crimes to justice.”