Club bans fivers after surge in fake notes
Ayr United have been forced to ban English fivers from their ground after a sudden surge in fake notes.
Bosses ordered a clampdown after food kiosks at the club’s Somerset Park were targeted with counterfeit cash.
Ayr managing director Graeme Mathie revealed the dummy money was first detected during their Ayrshire derby clash with Kilmarnock on March 11.
He said quick-thinking workers ensured the club didn’t lose a fortune. Without imposing the ban, the large number of dodgy notes would have left a hole in the club’s finances, to the tune of thousands of pounds.
He said: “It has been flagged up through the kiosk staff.
“I’m glad they identified that it was an issue and we weren’t awash with fake money that we couldn’t bank. It has only been on our radar the last three or four games, so probably for the last month. I think we were lucky that the staff were proactive.
“It was our understanding there was an issue, testing the first few then realising we had to do something about it. The kiosks are really busy and it’s impossible to check all the notes.”
Ayr have posted signs inside their ground advising fans staff won’t accept Bank of England £5 notes.
Police have not received reports of counterfeit money being in circulation elsewhere in the community.
One dad, who was at Ayr’s match against Inverness Caley Thistle unwittingly handed over a Bank of England fiver at a hot food kiosk. A staff member kept the note, saying it was fraudulent.
The dad said: “The worker was very apologetic.”
Bank of England launched plastic £5 notes in 2016 but it hasn’t stopped crooks making fake currency. Legitimate cash should have a see-through window and the portrait of the Queen. Big Ben is gold on the front of the note and silver on the back. The foil patch below the window changes from “Five” to “Pounds” when tilted and the coronation crown looks 3D. The circular green foil patch on the back should contain “Blenheim”.