Police attempt to intimidate Blue Order section at Ibrox
The day started with a larger than usual presence of police in the Blue Order area. Around the time of the second goal one policeman called out to a guy a few rows down from the stairway entrance. Why he became aware of the policeman calling him the guy immediately walked up, with his young son, to talk to the officer. Upon arriving in front of the police the guy was immediately handcuffed and pulled away downstairs despite not raising his voice or offering any form of resistance. His crime? Apparently he had "been singing."
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30 seconds after this arrest the Blue Order were surrounded by around 100 officers in an obviously pre-planned maneuver. When asked what they were up to the police officers involved were under instructions not to answer and all looked ahead and refused to answer. They arrived in what several eyewitnesses described to FF as "a cavalry charge" intended to intimidate the crowd.
Shortly thereafter the fans again sang a round of "If you canny do the Bouncy you're a Tim." Once this was finished another victim was selected at random for arrest - one witness said to me that this time the guy lifted appeared to have been nicked on the basis that he was the tallest person in the area and hence more identifiable.
Both arrests were carried out with such a degree of unpleasantness, lack of provocation and sense of theatricality that one can only draw the conclusion that the behavior of the police was pre-planned to intimidate fans. People asking after both of the arrested were told that not only were the guys not just being ejected from the ground but that both would be held in police custody until Monday when they will appear in court.
Shocked at such scenes around 150 of the Blue Order walked out of the ground at half-time in an entirely peaceful manner in order to make a protest at the front door of Ibrox.
There were surrounded by a posse of police, including the totally over the top use of four mounted police officers, and hustled along Edmiston Drive and told to disperse themselves upon pain of arrest.
After the match a small deputation went back to the main door and were able to have a chat with Chairman John McClelland where they informed him of what had happened and asked him to take action. They agreed in the first instance to send him the details in writing for him to act on when in the office on Monday morning.
This disgraceful episode is merely the latest in a litany of obstruction; stupidity and outright hostility the Blue Order have suffered at the hands of RFC staff and the police.
The Blue Order was formed two seasons ago with the express object of improving the atmosphere at Ibrox and bringing back fun into the game whilst at the same time having a total opposition to any form of hooliganism, sectarianism or racism.
As far as I can see they have always acted in a manner which is a credit to the club and other clubs would give their eyeteeth for a group of such committed fans prepared to spend their own money to promote all that is best in football.
In return for all their good work the Blue Order have sadly been faced with open hostility from certain paid employees of the club who at every turn have tried to sabotage this excellent initiative.
The stewards and police were, for instance told to confiscate leaflets, displays of coloured cards and banners on the ground that these were "fire hazards' and could "lead to another Hillsbrough."
One buffoon, promoted well above his ability or his IQ even had the temerity to claim that the Blue Order "cause me more problems than the Hibs casuals and the Celtic fans put together." You won't be surprised this halfwit is yet another one who isn't a Rangers fan.
Today's attack on the Blue Order was totally out of order and heads must roll - whether amongst the police or those at Ibrox who have so obviously incited them to behave in such a disgraceful manner.
The Blue Order will be having meetings in the coming week to discuss their plan of action to deal with this outrage and we'll keep you informed of how to help them.
Watch this space.