What started off as a couple of lads swallowing a few cans has steadily increased to dozens of young men (and a few women) consuming large quantities of beer, cider and on occasions vodka.

These louts seem to think it very hip to spend most of the 90 minutes hurling abusive language at the opposing teams and in particular, at the away goalkeeper.

Given the rants and raves of these 'Smart Alecs' can be heard by dozens of young and highly-impressionable fans, this is giving a terrible example to the adults of tomorrow.

There are a few questions that need to be posed here. How do these people manage to gain entry at the turnstiles carrying alcoholic drinks? Should the stewards (who, it must be pointed out, carry out the duty voluntarily) not make sure that drink is not taken into the ground?

Does the behaviour of the minority of an otherwise impeccably-behaved crowd do anything to promote a good image for Finn Park?

At the last two home games, some of these same stewards thought it necessary to deny one well-known supporter access from the terrace to the clubhouse area half an hour before kick-off. He had already paid his admission fee. This is a man who has travelled all over the country with Harps for years and who has been responsible for raising large amounts of money for the club.

This reporter experienced a lot of difficulty in getting into the clubhouse area about 40 minutes before kick-off on Saturday night. I encountered a steward who was obviously keen to impress someone, somewhere. That someone forgot to tell him that the hands-on approach was not meant to be taken literally.

Due to recently-introduced health and safety regulations, the club have apparently adopted a 'no pass, no entry' policy. And while the health and safety of those going into the clubhouse is important, one would suggest that the health and safety of those on the terraces subjected to vulgarity from a number of half-wits is equally so.

Finn Harps will argue that there needs to be a handle kept on who gets into different parts of the ground, that the pass system is the best way to deal with the matter. No argument is offered against that here. But common sense, good manners and simple courtesy never go amiss in potentially awkward situations. Unfortunately in the two afore-mentioned cases, they simply did not come into the equation.

Indeed the behaviour of the stewards concerned would not look out of place among the riff-raff behind the goals.

Come to think of it, there is a time and a place for everything.
And everybody.

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