Section B
Encyclopedia
Section B are a group of football fans and supporters who have followed Airdrieonians F.C.
and more recently Airdrie United F.C.
, in Scottish football
. Formed in 1977, the group have been well known throughout Scottish football for their boisterous, voiciferous and often violent behaviour for nearly 35 years. The group is widely regarded as one of the most violent gangs in Scotland
.
In 2006 Airdrie fan Izak Cowie became the first person in Scotland banned from every football ground in the UK. In December 2007 Airdrie fan Ian Bear received a 5 year banning order after being charged with trouble at Paisley (see below*).
Section B have featured in several publications over the years, including "The Idler Book Of Crap Towns 2" - Boxtree (2004), "Hooligans" - Milo Books (Sept. 2005 & updated Sept. 2007), and Front Magazine
(Feb. 2006).
, Rangers, Hearts and Hibs, would have an element of their support that would often cause bother with the local fans. Section B were formed as a direct response to this threat, and were originally made up of an amalgamation of smaller groups of gangs from around the town. This diverse mixture combined punks, mods and others.
Contrary to popular belief, Section B were not named after the area of terracing where they mainly stood, but in tribute to a local punk band by the same name who were active at the time.
Nowadays, Section B are sometimes represented at less significant games by the more youthful BBC (B Baby Crew) who were formed in 2005, however the main Section B and youth combine for the more important and significant games where numbers can still attain 50-70 plus, and on occasion as high as 100 or more.
Albion Rovers: At Cliftonhill
the game was stopped twice with around 50-70 Section B storming the home support. At the time the riot made the front page of The Glasgow Herald (1983), Fighting broke out in the Cliftonhill ground at half time. (July 2010).
Ayr Utd.: Pitch invasion, crossbar snapping and subsequent abandonment of the game at Somerset Park
(May 2002), ASC (Ayr Service Crew) at Airdrie with 1 Airdrie fan arrested (Oct. 2009), Fighting in Airdrie town centre with Ayr United ASC (Mar. 2011).
Bury: Section B are charged at by mounted police in Lancashire (Oct. 1980).
Clydebank: Section B caused trouble in The Atlantis pub on Kilbowie Road. This incident was reported in The Clydebank Post (1991).
Dundee: 60-70 Section B faced the Dundee Utility Crew outside McDiarmid Park in Perth after a B&Q Cup Final game (Nov. 1994)), 60-70 Section B caused disorder and tried to engage with the Utility after the game in Airdrie (Feb. 2006), Police tried (and failed) to keep around 50 plus Section B in New Broomfield stadium at the end of the game - Section B rushed the police and the scene was captured on camera (May 2006).
Dunfermline Athletic: After a controversial Skol Cup game at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh 40-50 vandalized cars and smashed windows of a pub (1991), 100 Section B in Fife and the police locked in the HOME fans at the end of the game (Apr. 2006), Dunfermline CSS (Carnegie Soccer Service) meet Section B after the end of the game in Airdrie (Nov. 2009), Fighting in the stadium bar at Airdrie before the game (May 2010).
Falkirk: 30 travelled to meet around 40 Falkirk Fear - the fight was captured on cctv and can be seen on youtube (Mar. 2002).
Gretna: Section B are involved in a racial incident at Gretna
(Sept. 2006).
Hamilton: Running battles with Hamilton's ACF (Accies Casual Force) near New Douglas Park
(Mar. 2007).
Hibs: The Hibs team bus is attacked in Airdrie (1978), Fighting around Easter Road with the CCS (Capital City Service)
after a play-off tie (May 1997).
Kilmarnock: After the game a group of Kilmarnock
Paninaro are charged at outside Rugby Park
, with 2 Airdrie fans arrested (Sept. 2002).
Morton: Around 100 Section B taunted the Greenock fans at New Broomfield, with a few fans trading blows with Morton MSC (Morton Soccer Crew) on the pitch at the end of the game (May 2007).
Motherwell: Section B had a major clash with local rivals Motherwell's SS (Saturday Service) (Jan. 2007), Confrontation with the SS at an Airdrie Orange Walk
(May 2007).
Partick Thistle: A pitched battle and mass brawl with Partick Thistle NGE (North Glasgow Express) (May 2009).
Ross County: 2 Airdrie fans are charged with vandalizing McDiarmid Park
stadium in Perth at a Challenge Cup Final game (Nov. 2008).
Sparta Prague: 150 travelled to the Czech Republic and clashed with Sparta hooligans before and after the game (1992).
St. Johnstone: Whilst trying to engage with the FCF (Fair City Firm) 2 Airdrie fans are arrested outside McDiarmid Park (Mar. 2006).
St. Mirren: The LSD (Love Street Division) were in Airdrie for a cup final v Hamilton and fought with Section B (Nov. 2005), Fighting in Paisley
town centre with St Mirren LSD (Mar. 2006 - *see note above).
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
and more recently Airdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
, in Scottish football
Football in Scotland
Association football is the national sport in Scotland and highly popular throughout the country. There is a long tradition of "football" games in Orkney, Lewis and southern Scotland, especially the Scottish Borders, although many of these include carrying the ball and passing by hand, and despite...
. Formed in 1977, the group have been well known throughout Scottish football for their boisterous, voiciferous and often violent behaviour for nearly 35 years. The group is widely regarded as one of the most violent gangs in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
In 2006 Airdrie fan Izak Cowie became the first person in Scotland banned from every football ground in the UK. In December 2007 Airdrie fan Ian Bear received a 5 year banning order after being charged with trouble at Paisley (see below*).
Section B have featured in several publications over the years, including "The Idler Book Of Crap Towns 2" - Boxtree (2004), "Hooligans" - Milo Books (Sept. 2005 & updated Sept. 2007), and Front Magazine
Front Magazine
FRONT Illustrated Paper was published by the Military Publishing and Press Center of the Yugoslav Peoples Army....
(Feb. 2006).
Formation
During the late 1960s and early to mid 1970s the town of Airdrie often witnessed hooliganism and misbehaviour in and around the old Broomfield stadium where Airdrieonians played. The larger clubs - namely CelticCeltic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Rangers, Hearts and Hibs, would have an element of their support that would often cause bother with the local fans. Section B were formed as a direct response to this threat, and were originally made up of an amalgamation of smaller groups of gangs from around the town. This diverse mixture combined punks, mods and others.
Contrary to popular belief, Section B were not named after the area of terracing where they mainly stood, but in tribute to a local punk band by the same name who were active at the time.
Nowadays, Section B are sometimes represented at less significant games by the more youthful BBC (B Baby Crew) who were formed in 2005, however the main Section B and youth combine for the more important and significant games where numbers can still attain 50-70 plus, and on occasion as high as 100 or more.
Activity
Along with clashes with Celtic CSC (Celtic Soccer Crew)), Aberdeen ASC (Aberdeen Soccer Casuals) and several others, Section B have been involved in many more incidents (minor and serious) throughout the years including...Albion Rovers: At Cliftonhill
Cliftonhill
Cliftonhill Stadium is the home ground of the Scottish Football League team Albion Rovers. The ground is situated in the town of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.-History:...
the game was stopped twice with around 50-70 Section B storming the home support. At the time the riot made the front page of The Glasgow Herald (1983), Fighting broke out in the Cliftonhill ground at half time. (July 2010).
Ayr Utd.: Pitch invasion, crossbar snapping and subsequent abandonment of the game at Somerset Park
Somerset Park
Somerset Park is a football stadium located in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland.It has been the home of Ayr United since they were founded in 1910. Prior to that, it was the home ground of Ayr F.C.. It currently has a capacity of 10,185 of which 1,597 is seated, making it one of the largest capacity...
(May 2002), ASC (Ayr Service Crew) at Airdrie with 1 Airdrie fan arrested (Oct. 2009), Fighting in Airdrie town centre with Ayr United ASC (Mar. 2011).
Bury: Section B are charged at by mounted police in Lancashire (Oct. 1980).
Clydebank: Section B caused trouble in The Atlantis pub on Kilbowie Road. This incident was reported in The Clydebank Post (1991).
Dundee: 60-70 Section B faced the Dundee Utility Crew outside McDiarmid Park in Perth after a B&Q Cup Final game (Nov. 1994)), 60-70 Section B caused disorder and tried to engage with the Utility after the game in Airdrie (Feb. 2006), Police tried (and failed) to keep around 50 plus Section B in New Broomfield stadium at the end of the game - Section B rushed the police and the scene was captured on camera (May 2006).
Dunfermline Athletic: After a controversial Skol Cup game at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh 40-50 vandalized cars and smashed windows of a pub (1991), 100 Section B in Fife and the police locked in the HOME fans at the end of the game (Apr. 2006), Dunfermline CSS (Carnegie Soccer Service) meet Section B after the end of the game in Airdrie (Nov. 2009), Fighting in the stadium bar at Airdrie before the game (May 2010).
Falkirk: 30 travelled to meet around 40 Falkirk Fear - the fight was captured on cctv and can be seen on youtube (Mar. 2002).
Gretna: Section B are involved in a racial incident at Gretna
Gretna F.C.
Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland...
(Sept. 2006).
Hamilton: Running battles with Hamilton's ACF (Accies Casual Force) near New Douglas Park
New Douglas Park
New Douglas Park is a football stadium in Hamilton which serves as the home of Hamilton Academical. It takes its name from Douglas Park, the club's former stadium.-Stadium:...
(Mar. 2007).
Hibs: The Hibs team bus is attacked in Airdrie (1978), Fighting around Easter Road with the CCS (Capital City Service)
Capital City Service
The Capital City Service is a Scottish football hooligan firm associated with Hibernian and active from 1984 when the casual hooligan subculture took off in Scotland. Their roots were in the previous incarnations of hooligans attached to the club and also the wider Edinburgh and surrounding areas...
after a play-off tie (May 1997).
Kilmarnock: After the game a group of Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
Paninaro are charged at outside Rugby Park
Rugby Park
Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. It was first used in 1899 and is the home of Kilmarnock F.C..It underwent a major redevelopment in 1994–95, becoming an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 18,128...
, with 2 Airdrie fans arrested (Sept. 2002).
Morton: Around 100 Section B taunted the Greenock fans at New Broomfield, with a few fans trading blows with Morton MSC (Morton Soccer Crew) on the pitch at the end of the game (May 2007).
Motherwell: Section B had a major clash with local rivals Motherwell's SS (Saturday Service) (Jan. 2007), Confrontation with the SS at an Airdrie Orange Walk
Orange walk
Orange walks are a series of parades held annually by members of the Orange Order during the summer in Northern Ireland, to a lesser extent in Scotland, and occasionally in England, the Republic of Ireland, and throughout the Commonwealth...
(May 2007).
Partick Thistle: A pitched battle and mass brawl with Partick Thistle NGE (North Glasgow Express) (May 2009).
Ross County: 2 Airdrie fans are charged with vandalizing McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park is a football stadium in Perth, Scotland, the home ground of St. Johnstone FC. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.-History:...
stadium in Perth at a Challenge Cup Final game (Nov. 2008).
Sparta Prague: 150 travelled to the Czech Republic and clashed with Sparta hooligans before and after the game (1992).
St. Johnstone: Whilst trying to engage with the FCF (Fair City Firm) 2 Airdrie fans are arrested outside McDiarmid Park (Mar. 2006).
St. Mirren: The LSD (Love Street Division) were in Airdrie for a cup final v Hamilton and fought with Section B (Nov. 2005), Fighting in Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
town centre with St Mirren LSD (Mar. 2006 - *see note above).