Fir Park Fiasco

Jan 29 2010 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN face a pitch battle in Motherwell next week if they are to reach the final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup – and fans on Buddie Banter are far from happy with the state of the Fir Park turf.

Gus MacPherson’s men will take on Hearts in a Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final clash on Tuesday night with a place in the glamour final at Hampden up for grabs.

And, with the countdown to the big match well under way, St Mirren supporters are fuming that the pitch at Fir Park is in such an appalling condition.

The Buddies played on the badly rutted and heavily sanded surface during their 2-0 SPL defeat to Motherwell six days ago.

And the Paisley faithful reckon it’s a disgrace that such a high-profile game as a cup semi-final is to be contested in such poor conditions.

Chris Gilzean, of Park Road, Bridge of Weir, penned an eloquent letter to Buddie Banter to raise his concerns over the Fir Park fiasco.

He stated: “Having seen the state of Motherwell’s pitch last season, I was already concerned about St Mirren having to play this cup semi at Fir Park.

“But we were assured that Motherwell had spent tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of pounds on it during the summer to bring it up to standard.

“Oh dear. On Saturday, it looked just like the pitch from last season. It even had tyre marks on it.

“I can’t believe Motherwell are going to get ground rental for that, while we slog our way through a cup semi – a supposed showpiece – on a pitch which, in my opinion, is going to make a mockery of proceedings and the outcome a complete lottery.

“I suppose I’ll just have to hope St Mirren have the winning ticket!”

Chris is not the only St Mirren fan to have a pop at Motherwell over their shoddy surface.

A Lafferty, of Ralston, had this to say: “What a joke it is to send us back to the peat bog that is Fir Park.

“Every year, we are assured they are going to get it right but, after Saturday’s game, you only have to see the pitch to realise that it’s as bad as ever.

“Motherwell should be severely censored over what’s going on there and serious questions have to be asked by the SFA, the SPL and the SFL.

“I’ve seen Junior football grounds in better nick than Fir Park. It’s a disgrace.”

Regular contributor Sheila Connolly, of Paisley, added her views.

She said: “Without a doubt, next Tuesday’s game should be moved to another stadium, such as Ibrox or Parkhead.

“In fact, it really should have been played at Hampden in the first place.

“The way Fir Park is at the moment, it’s only good for one thing – growing tatties!”

Other Saints fans are equally angered by the fact there are no concessionary tickets available for Tuesday’s game.

David Healy, of Paisley, said: “My father, who normally qualifies for a concession, was told that he was not able to get a concession for next Tuesday’s game.

“Why are older fans being penalised in this way?

“The powers that be are happy to take the concession money off pensioners in the early rounds but, when it comes to the latter stages of the competition, OAPs have to pay full whack.

“The people who run the competition should come out and explain why they won’t give a little something back to the older fans.”

And ‘Saintyhillroad’ e-mailed to say: “My dad is a big St Mirren supporter and he’s disappointed that he has to pay premium prices to see next Tuesday’s game.

“All he has to survive on is his pension and to ask him to pay £22, plus travelling costs, plus the cost of something to eat etc, will not leave him much in the way of cash to get by until his next pension day.

“I’m very disappointed by this.”

In other news, Mo Camara and Dennis Wyness both left St Mirren by mutual consent this week after agreeing severance packages with the club.

And many fans feel that, with Camara, Wyness and Stephen McGinn all heading out of the St Mirren Park exit door this month, it is vital that reinforcements are on the way before Monday’s transfer deadline.

‘Sensualsaint’ said: “We are down a left-back, a striker and a midfielder, so it stands to reason that Gus must have players waiting in the wings.

“Let’s hope he is given money to spend and the board don’t decide to tie one hand behind the manager’s back.”

If you have something to say about Saints, just log on to Buddie Banter at http://forums.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk and click on the Buddie Banter message board.

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Even if you don’t have access to the internet, you can send your comments to Buddie Banter, 14 New Street, Paisley, PA1 1YA, e-mail the sports desk direct at pbehan@s-un.co.uk or fax your comments to 0141 887 6254.