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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Andy McGilvray

Airdrie fans club together in aid of stricken fan following shocking fan attack

Airdrie fans have raised over £1800 for charity after a Cove Rangers supporter was knocked unconscious following their League One crunch match on Saturday.

Cove Rangers fan Michael Anderson suffered at least two broken teeth following an unprovoked attack, and other visiting fans were subjected to vile attacks following the 1-1 draw at New Broomfield.

Police Scotland is working with the Lanarkshire club to identify the culprits.

After hearing about the assault, Airdrie fans have raised money via a GoFundMe page, with Mr Anderson requesting that funds go to charities, including Friends of ANCHOR, as his fiancee has completed treatment for lymphoma.

Michael was taken to University Hospital Wishaw, but after being released he still had to pay £130 for the journey home, and will require further dental treatment.

He said: "To be honest, I'm still not really sure what happened bar the bits and pieces I've been told, but I just wanted to say a big thank you to not only all who have been involved in this but to all the various Airdrie fans who have reached out to me on Twitter and Facebook to check if I was alright and send their best wishes.

"Pre match we were in Cue Here, mixing with Airdrie fans, having a good laugh chatting about the game. The guys couldn't have been more welcoming.

"We even ended up giving a few lads a lift to the ground on our supporters bus.

"The game was as nervy and as edgy as I'd suspected it would be and I imagine the remaining games of the season will all be like that in the run-in for both sets of fans.

"If there's any justice, both teams will make it up this year and be facing off in the Championship next year after two terrific unbeaten runs."

Airdrie and Cove fought out a 1-1 draw, with fans mixing happily before the game (Jamie Williamson)

Michael added: "What happened after the game was horrible. One minute I was at the back of the queue to get on the bus and the next thing I knew I was in the back of the ambulance unable to tell the paramedic my postcode, with no idea what had happened.

"At the hospital, I was told I was lucky that with hitting my head so hard that there wasn't much more serious damage done.

"After the great sports pre-match and dealings with fans, nothing that day led me to believe anything like that would happen or there would be any trouble. Like I said, the response form all Airdrie fans since has been nothing short of overwhelming.

"You just don't expect that to happen when you're going to the football.

"I just wanted to say thank you and show my appreciation. There's no place for anything like this in football but with CCTV, videos and photos, hopefully the guy is found and dealt with."

Colin Telford, of podcast Only the Lonely, launched the GoFundMe page, and fears the incident will hold Airdrie back for years.

He told Aberdeen Live said: "I had read about it and saw that Michael and the group he was with were mixing with other fans in the pool hall nearby. Airdrie fans were offered a lift in their bus to the stadium, it was all great and friendly.

"I reached out to him and he said that the police said he could get compensation. I mentioned any charity angle and he suggested ones that had helped his partner so it was a no-brainer to try to repair the reputation of Airdrie in some way.

Cove fan Michael Anderson says fans mixed at Cue Here before the game (Stuart Vance/ReachPlc)

"It's so frustrating. I've supported Airdrie since I was five-years-old and you feel the club is slowly dying, attendances are dwindling.

"But then, come Saturday, we've got a top of the table clash, the club drop the prices and it was a great game of football.

"It was a gala day in many respects but then for something like this to happen is just going to set us back years."

Any people who would like to contribute to the fund can do so here.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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