Airdrie fan got 'buzz' from bar fight with St Johnstone rivals before Scottish Cup tie, court hears
A pair of thugs who helped ambush St Johnstone fans in a pub have been banned from attending football for two years.
A court heard Airdrie supporter Cameron Patey got 'a buzz' out of causing trouble.
Shocking video footage showed bottles being thrown into a bar in the Lanarkshire town where Saints fans had gathered before a Scottish Cup tie.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard a group of home fans confronted the Perth side's supporters and a fight spilled on to the street.
Patey, 22, Ryan Lawrence, 29, and Nathan Dunsmore, 26, admitted causing a breach of the peace by fighting, shouting and swearing on January 20 last year.
It happened before Airdrie beat Saints 1-0 in a fourth round tie.
The trouble was linked to a message posted by a St Johnstone fan who tweeted: 'Any Airdrie supporters wanting a square go should come to the West End Bar. Bring your mates – you'll need them.'
Annette Ward, prosecuting, described how the Airdrie fans ambushed their rivals at the West End Bar.
She told the court CCTV caught them leaving another pub.
'They had their hoods up and their faces partially covered with scarves.
'The three accused were part of the group.
'A large group of St Johnstone fans were already inside the West End Bar.
'As soon as the Airdrie supporters arrived there was an altercation that turned into a scuffle between the two groups.
'This quickly spilled onto the street and in the course of that an individual was assaulted by two unidentified males.'
The court heard a fourth Airdrie fan was seen on CCTV picking up two bottles and throwing them into the pub.
He was also charged but has since died.
Patey has a previous conviction which resulted in him being given a football banning order.
Lawrence also has football-related previous convictions.
The court heard, when asked about his role in the trouble, Patey told a social worker: 'It's an escape. It gives me a buzz.'
But in court, defence lawyer Tony Linden said: 'He now describes his conduct as pathetic. His days of attending football matches and seeking out trouble are gone.
'He plans to leave the Airdrie area and has an offer of employment with a starting salary of £40,000.'
Fraser McKinnon, defending Lawrence, said he accepted responsibility for his behaviour but added: 'From the CCTV, it appears his involvement was at the lower end of the scale.'
Nicky Matteo, for Dunsmore, told the court: 'This happened at a time when he was drinking and taking drugs to excess.'
Sheriff Joseph Hughes imposed two-year football banning orders on Patey and Lawrence, both of Airdrie.
These will cover all regulated games in the UK and the pair are also banned from watching televised football in licensed premises.
The sheriff said: 'I'm satisfied this offence was related to the football match that day.
'It matters not if it happened before the game started.
'It is appropriate to impose these banning orders to prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection with, football matches.'
Patey was also warned he must behave himself over the next nine months while Lawrence will be under supervision for two years and electronically tagged for nine months, meaning he's confined to his home between 7pm and 7am each day.
Sentence on Dunsmore, who is in custody on other matters, was deferred until December.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
6 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
‘Syd' Lawrence: England trailblazer who rocked and rumbled for Gloucestershire
Racially abused by a team-mate as a teenager, Lawrence had the last laugh by, in his own words, 'rocking and rumbling' for Gloucestershire and becoming the first British-born black man to play for England before being cut down in his prime. Lawrence refused to feel sorry for himself and that much was evident when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year, raising money and spreading awareness of the condition which robbed him of his voice and ability to walk before his death, aged 61. Affectionately known as Syd after the British bandleader, Lawrence was born on January 28, 1964, in Gloucester to Jamaican parents, inheriting his love for cricket from his father. He was only 17 when he opened the bowling for Gloucestershire alongside a famous Jamaican in Courtney Walsh although memories of his debut season are soured by a banana being left outside the door of his hotel room by an unnamed peer. 'I just sat in that room thinking: 'I'm a cricketer, what makes me different?'' Lawrence reflected to the Guardian years later. 'Why would somebody want to do that, just because of the colour of my skin?' While he received an unreserved apology from Gloucestershire in 2021, Lawrence initially had to shrug off the incident for fear of being perceived as difficult and he instead channelled any frustration by becoming one of the speediest, if occasionally wayward, operators on the county circuit. A strapping fast bowler, he took 625 wickets in 280 games for Gloucestershire but is just as remembered for his England outings, starting against Sri Lanka in 1988, where he claimed three dismissals. Lawrence waited another three years for his next appearance, claiming 14 wickets in three Tests in 1991, the highlight being a five-for against the West Indies to help England seal a series-levelling win at the Oval, with Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards among his haul. He also made his lone ODI appearance in the same summer but Lawrence's career was halted in its tracks the following year as he badly fractured his left kneecap after falling awkwardly when running into bowl on the final day of a Test against New Zealand in Wellington. His England days were immediately over aged 28 following 18 wickets in five Tests but he made a brief county comeback in 1997, playing four first-class games for Gloucestershire before hanging up his boots – 16 years after he first played professionally. Lawrence became a competitive bodybuilder following his retirement and he was also a nightclub owner in Bristol. He was back in the public eye after detailing his racism experiences in his playing days, before in April 2022 he became Gloucestershire's first black president. Gloucestershire Cricket is devastated to learn of the passing of former player and Club President, David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE, aged 61. Everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket would like to send their best wishes to David's family during this terribly sad time. — Gloucestershire Cricket 🏆 (@Gloscricket) June 22, 2025 Following his MND diagnosis and with Lawrence already confined to a custom-made wheelchair, he was presented with the T20 Blast trophy by James Bracey last September in emotionally charged scenes after Gloucestershire ended a nine-year wait for silverware. Lawrence dictated his own recently-released autobiography, while he received an MBE earlier this month in the King's Birthday Honours for his outstanding services to cricket. 'It is an incredibly proud moment,' he said. 'It is not something that I ever thought would sit after my name, but I am absolutely delighted that it will do so for however long I am here and will be a part of my legacy when I am gone.' Lawrence is survived by wife Gaynor and son Buster, an ex-professional rugby union player.
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
Ex-Hearts, Sunderland and Rangers star admits retirement could be near as he signs latest contract
A former Hearts, Rangers and Sunderland striker has admitted he is considering retirement. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former Hearts and Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has admitted his career could be nearing an end after he put pen-to-paper on a new one-year deal with West of Scotland League Premier Division side Johnstone Burgh. The 89-times capped former Northern Ireland international made his name with current English Premier League club Burnley before joining Rangers during the summer of 2008. A four-year stay at Ibrox brought three Premiership titles, two League Cup final wins and a single Scottish Cup final triumph as Lafferty scored 31 goals in 104 appearances before linking up with former Rangers and Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso at Swiss club FC Sion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNS Group The striker went on to spend time with the likes of Palermo and Norwich City before joining Hearts on a two-year deal in June 2017. After scoring 13 goals in 37 appearances and helping his side end Celtic's 69-game unbeaten run in domestic competitions, Lafferty returned to Rangers after a one-season stay at Tynecastle before wrapping up his professional career with short spells with Sunderland, Reggina, Kilmarnock, Anorthosis Famagusta and Linfield. A move into the semi-professional game came during the summer of 2023 as Lafferty penned a two-year deal with Johnstone Bergh - although a serious knee injury suffered in his second game for the club hampered the impact he made during his first season at James Y. Keanie Park. However, the former Hearts man made a big impression last season as he scored the decisive penalty to help the Burgh lift the first Scottish Junior Cup for the first time since 1968. Now 37, Lafferty has committed to one more season with the club and is targeting one last hurrah by guiding the Burgh into the Lowland League before he hangs up his boots. He said: 'I would like to be [at Burgh next season]. I know I am getting on and, if I am here next year, it will probably be my last season. I would like to go out leaving the club in the Lowland League. Even after I hang up my boots, I would like to stay on as a coach at the club. It is something I have looked at. I have my own soccer academy as well so I think I can pass on my experience and hopefully bring the young lads on because I think we don't have a lot of lads from the 21s coming through. Hopefully that will be a side I can look after.' Your next Hearts read: Hearts transfer latest: Key reasons why pair have opted for club detailed and Premiership player talks Jambos
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
David ‘Syd' Lawrence dead at 61: First British-born black cricketer to represent England dies after MND battle
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENGLAND cricket legend David "Syd" Lawrence has died aged 61 following a battle with motor neurone disease. The ex-Gloucestershire star was the first British-born black cricketer to play for England. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 David 'Syd' Lawrence has died aged 61 Credit: PA 3 Lawrence was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year Credit: Getty The former fast bowler left an amazing legacy on the sport and was recently awarded an MBE in the King's birthday honours list. Lawrence, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year, was incredibly proud to be honoured. He said last week: "It is not something I ever thought would sit after my name. "I am absolutely delighted that it will do so for however long I am here and will be a part of my legacy when I am gone." Following Lawrence's sad passing, a family statement said: "'Syd' was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field and no more so than to his family who were with him when he passed." The ECB have paid tribute to Lawrence, calling him a "pioneering" player who left an "indelible mark" on the sport in this country. ECB chair Richard Thompson said: "David 'Syd' Lawrence was a true trailblazer of English cricket and a man of immense courage, character, and compassion. "His impact on the game extended far beyond the boundary ropes. As a fast bowler, he thrilled crowds with his pace and passion. As a leader and advocate, he broke barriers and inspired change, becoming a powerful voice for inclusion and representation in our sport. 3 England stars including Ben Stokes paid tribute to Lawrence Credit: Sky Sports "Even in the face of his illness, David showed extraordinary strength and dignity, continuing to uplift others with his resilience and spirit. He leaves behind a legacy that will endure in the hearts of all who love cricket. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing community at this time." Lawrence played five test matches for England, only for his international career to be brutally cut short by a serious knee injury in 1992. He left an incredible mark on Gloucestershire, playing 280 matches for them over a 16-year span. Lawrence later returned to the club as president in 2022. Paying tribute to their legendary former fast bowler and executive, Gloucestershire wrote: "Gloucestershire Cricket is devastated to learn of the passing of former player and Club President, David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE, aged 61. "Everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket would like to send their best wishes to David's family during this terribly sad time." England star paid tribute to Lawrence ahead of today's match-up with India at Headingley. Stars including Ben Stokes took part in a minute's applause in honour of the cricket icon.
