Pars’ boss Johnston backs chairman after he slammed fans

DUNFERMLINE: Families and friends of players, staff and balls boys have been subjected to abuse, said chief

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston has backed chairman Ross McArthur for hitting out at fans’ abuse and insists the boardroom support “means a lot to the players”.

McArthur has hit out at a “very small minority” of the Pars faithful and branded them “disgraceful” for “crossing the line” in their criticism of the board, players and Johnston amidst a poor run of form this season.

The East End Park chief revealed the families and friends of players, staff and even ball boys and girls had been subjected to abuse.

It is understood the girlfriend and sister of full-back Ryan Williamson were targeted after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Partick Thistle.

A “sickened” McArthur has insisted “enough is enough” and has urged an end to the “victimisation and bullying” that has “embarrassed” the club in front of sponsors, other clubs, the Scottish FA and SPFL in recent weeks.

And, as he prepared the team for tomorrow’s trip to face Queen of the South, Johnston is hopeful the message will hit home.

He said: “Everybody’s passionate about their football and desperate for their team to do well.

“But there’s got to be a line somewhere and you can’t overstep the mark. Probably it’s happened on a couple of occasions already.

“I think the chairman was right to stand up, because we’ve got a lot of fans who get right behind the team and get right behind the players.

“And I don’t think there’s any place for it when it oversteps that line.

“Everybody can handle a bit of criticism, it happens everywhere. It’s when it goes a wee bit too far, that’s when it has to be ironed out.

“Probably everyone at the club appreciates the chairman stepping up and saying that, because I think it means a lot to the players. It shows the support they’ve got from the directors and from the majority of the supporters as well.

“Hopefully we can repay that with a performance at the weekend and get the win we’re looking for.”

McArthur also detailed an occasion when an abusive video was sent to the family of one of the Dunfermline players, who have since questioned whether he should remain at the club.

Johnston added: “It’s a great club when you look at it. Look at the size of the club, look at the support we’ve got.

“I know results haven’t been great this season, but we’ve still got an opportunity to get back on track.

“It’s an attractive club to come to and we want to make sure we can attract the best players, so it’s got to be a good environment for people to come.”

Meanwhile, Johnston has confessed it would be a “bonus” for Dunfermline if Queen of the South are again without influential duo Stephen Dobbie and Gary Harkins tomorrow.

Both missed the trip to face Ross County last weekend, but the Doonhamers still eked out a 1-1 draw to move into fourth in the table.

Johnston added: “That’s a bonus, I’m not going to lie! Dobbie’s a top player and has scored a lot of goals and seems to actually be improving with age, which is incredible.

“He’s a real goal threat, and he’s someone we can learn from, because he’s a top player and a top finisher, even at this stage in his career.

“But Queens have still got some very good players. With him and Gary Harkins missing they still went up to Ross County and got a draw.”

But there’s got to be a line somewhere and you can’t overstep the mark. Probably it’s happened on a couple of occasions already. ALLAN JOHNSTON

Picture: SNS.