Motherwell supporters attack fellow OAP fan (77)

Jul 15 2009 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

BATTERED, bruised but unbowed – plucky pensioner Jim Miller is still smiling after a vicious attack by fellow Motherwell fans left him lying in a pool of his own blood.

The 77-year-old Wishaw man was supporting his team during last week’s European away tie in Wales when a pair of yobs sitting in front of him turned round and subjected him to a sickening assault.

Church elder Jim survived a heart attack just two years ago, and said he just asked them to sit down, adding: “Whether it was a head-butt or a fist I couldn’t say for certain, but I went down and blood was running everywhere.

“The supporters about me looked after me. The paramedics helped me down to the treatment room, cleaned me up and checked my eyes.

“I have to say the assistance and help I’ve had since this happened has been unbelievable.”

Welsh Police arrested a 24-year-old and a 22-year-old on suspicion of assault, then gave both an adult caution for common assault before releasing them.

The Motherwell Supporters’ Association has banned the pair from travelling on official busses and reported the matter in full to the club.

Club officials were travelling to Albania yesterday (Tuesday) ahead of this Thursday’s Europa League match and could not be contacted.

Wishaw pensioner Jim Miller travelled down to Wales to support his beloved Motherwell in action last week.

But the elderly man was battered by fellow fans in a mindless assault.

With just minutes left in the Europa League away clash with Llanelli, the OAP asked two people in front of him to sit down so he could see the action.

The next thing he remembers is feeling blood gushing down his face.

It is believed he may have been head-butted.

As decent Motherwell fans rushed to his aid, Welsh cops whisked off two men who were arrested on suspicion of assault.

Police in Wales are not releasing the names of the 24-year-old and 22-year-old who were arrested, but confirmed the duo were arrested on suspicion of assault and were released after being given an adult caution for common assault. No further action will be taken against them.

Motherwell Supporters’ Association have banned the pair from travelling with them in future and have given a full report to the club. Motherwell FC’s general manager Leeann Dempster was travelling with club officials and players to Albania yesterday (Tuesday) ahead of this Thursday’s Europa League game against KS Flamurtari and could not be contacted.

OAP Jim is well-known at Fir Park for wearing a distinctive claret and amber jumper knitted by his wife’s sister.

Jim said about his ordeal: “I heard over the tannoy that the 90 minutes were almost up and the fourth official had added the extra time on. Then, whether it was a head-butt or a fist I couldn’t say for certain, but I went down and blood was running everywhere.

“The supporters about me looked after me. I might be wrong, but I think there was a chap from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service there. He said he was a fireman and he got hold of my nose and held it. The paramedics helped me down to the treatment room, cleaned me up and checked my eyes. I have to say the assistance and help I’ve had since this happened has been unbelievable.”

Retired mechanic Jim had a heart attack two years ago but remarkably he is in great spirits – even joking about the attack that left him with blackened eyes. He travelled back to Wishaw on a supporters’ bus after the game which Motherwell won 3-0 last Thursday night and was back home early on Friday morning.

Jim added: “When I touch my nose it’s sore, but I’m fine. I’ll certainly not forget the game that’s for sure.”

A church elder at Cambusnethan North Parish Church, he went on to say: “What happened was one of those things. Up until this happened, I thoroughly enjoyed the match.”

Season ticket holder Jim sits in the Davie Cooper Stand at Fir Park and reckons drink played a part in his assault as the game was held at the Parc y Scarlets rugby ground, meaning booze could be served throughout the match.

He said: “I don’t know how they were able to see the match. It’s a shame what drink can do. All through the first half they were standing up and I asked them to sit down, I don’t know how many times. In the second half there was quite a bit of the game gone before they came back.”

The former Black Watch soldier, who spent two years in the Armed Forces in the 1950s and was stationed in Korea, is adamant the incident won’t put him off going to games and supporting his team.

Motherwell Supporters’ Association have taken action to ensure the pair don’t travel officially and have reported the matter in full to the club. Horrified Motherwell fans have been condemning the attack on a fans’ website.

Two club officials, including former player Dougie Arnott, visited Jim at home.