A HURLFORD United fan has been handed a football banning order after making obscene racist remarks during a cup match.

Robert Hunter pleaded guilty to a single charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner during the Blair Park side's home match against Sunnybank in the Scottish Junior Cup first round.

The tie against the Aberdeen-based club took place on September 2 last year.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

The fiscal depute said a number of witnesses heard Hunter's remarks, which were made about 25 minutes into the second half after Sunnybank made a substitution, bringing on a player who was described in court as "a man of colour".

Hunter's comments were heard by two people close by - a club official who was recording the match and an injured Hurlford player.

The incident happened at Hurlford's Blair Park ground during a Junior Cup tie against Sunnybank. (Image: Street View)

The injured player, referring to the Sunnybank substitute, remarked: "He can run, can't he?"

Hunter, of Kilmarnock, who had not previously been involved in the conversation, then shouted over a racist remark referring to the colour of the player's skin.

The two witnesses paid no attention to Hunter's remarks, though one said: "He looks dangerous, to be fair."

Hunter, the court heard, continued with his racial remarks, stating: "Give him a banana and he runs like f***, chasing their dinner."

Both the man recording the match and the injured player heard the comments, with the club official taking a picture of Hunter.

The Kilmarnock man then made a further racial remark, saying "he's looking for his banana".

Another witness in the stand heard the third comment and challenged Hunter, telling him he was out of order, while the man recording the game shouted over that it was all on camera as well.

Hunter replied: “F***ing what. Deal with it. Funny. Freedom of f***ing speech.”

The match later ended and the 59-year-old left the ground.

Other witnesses approached the Hurlford official to complain, saying they had heard the comments.

Hurlford's club secretary later informed Hunter he was banned from the ground.

Police spoke to Hunter by phone on September 13 and arrangements were made for him to come to Kilmarnock police station, but Hunter said he wouldn't be coming on the advice of his lawyer.

The fiscal depute said the position of both the Crown and the police was to seek a football banning order.

 

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, where Robert Hunter was handed a year-long football banning order. (Image: Street View)

Hunter's solicitor, David Tod, said: "I don’t think the comment was directed at the player involved.

"It was a conversation between him and people he was at the game with, but that doesn’t make it any better.

"In fairness to him, he is mortified. They are not beliefs he has, but he is where he is because of what he said."

Mr Tod added that he did not feel a banning order was required as the incident happened at a football match, rather than being football-related.

Sheriff James Hanvey said: "Those comments have no place in society."

He slapped Hunter with a one-year football banning order which bars him from being within 200 metres of Blair Park two hours before or after kick-off while matches involving Hurlford United are due to take place.

He is also banned from being within a kilometre of other grounds hosting matches involving the club.

No further punishment was imposed.

Following the conclusion of the case, a Hurlford United spokesperson said: “Following an incident at our Scottish Junior Cup tie against Sunnybank FC at Blair Park on September 2, 2023, a spectator was immediately banned from Blair Park indefinitely after he shouted racist abuse about a Sunnybank player.

“At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Friday, July 5, 2024, the individual pleaded guilty to a charge involving racist abuse and given a football banning order for one year.

“We would like to put on record our grateful thanks to the supporter who challenged the individual at the timem and who assisted in ensuring this individual was brought to justice in the eyes of the law.

“In line with policies outlined by the West of Scotland Football League and the Scottish Junior FA, Hurlford United believes that the opportunity to participate in physical activity and sport, especially football, should be open to all and that no individual should be discriminated against for reason such as age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, marriage or civil partnership, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation.

“We will make no further statement on this matter.”

Hurlford won the match 3-2.