Bryan Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 MCMADDEN Jobsworth steward stops Scotland's hero handing strip to wheelchair boy By Charles Lavery And Mark Guidi SEETHING Scotland hero James McFadden branded a Hampden steward an ``idiot'' yesterday for stopping him handing his strip to a wheelchair-bound boy. Man of the match McFadden was cheered off the pitch after Scotland beat Lithuania 1-0 to clinch a coveted place in the Euro 2004 play-offs. But seconds later, he was caught up in an incredible touchline row when a jobsworth Rock Steady guardbarred him from giving his strip to nine-year-old fan Stephen Reside. Police intervened and escorted a furious McFadden down the tunnel. Last night McFadden, 20, said: ``The wee boy has cerebral palsy and I have a good relationship with him because he is a Motherwell fan. ``I try to go over to him before every game. At theend of the match I just wanted to go over and give him my strip but the steward wouldn't let me go. I don't know why because it's not as if I was going to start a riot. ``Hopefully he got it. I flung it over the top of someone. I hope the wee man got it, but it soured the occasion for me. ``The wee boy is in a wheelchair and is trying to learn how to walk, the steward was just being an idiot but I suppose he was just trying to do his job. I donated money not long ago for a special bike for the wee man. I try to do as much as I can to help him. ``I just wanted to go over and show my appreciation.'' The Sunday Mail can reveal that young Stephen did manage to get McFadden's strip after a bit of a struggle. Stephen's dad Bill, 42, of Rutherglen, Glasgow said: ``James was forced to throw the jersey into the crowd, which was even more dangerous because there was a bit of a scramble before the wee man got it. ``He was upset, everybody was upset and to be honest we lost a wee bit of the magic of the day after it all. ``But James is a hero to Stephen and to all of us. He is so good to Stephen.'' And the youngster himself said: ``He is my hero. ``This is my fourth top and I am going to get it framed and put on my wall beside the others. I love him for giving it to me.'' Nobody at Rock Steady was available for comment last night. A police spokeswoman said they intervened only to get McFadden up the tunnel and away from the security guard. i saw it, i was a disgrace, faddy threw his top towards him, and another scotland fan caught it. Faddy indicated to the fan who caught it, that it was for the boy, and the fan gave the boy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codfish Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Typical Stewards! They were probably angry at not getting to work at an Old Firm game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LJ Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 The steward involved should be sacked. Well done to McFadden for highlighting the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluetooner Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 If it is the same stewards they are crap for Queens Park games too, and widely regarded as the worst stewards in the 3rd division. fair enough he has a job to do, but surely after it was explained what he was trying to do the steward shouldve seen common sense......... Maybe the steward is a referee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Drifter Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 I saw it too and thought it was utterly disgraceful. I didn't realise though that it was actually someone specific he was tryign to give it to. I just though he was being prevented from going over to the crowd in general. It's utterly ridiculous. Rock Steady have a lot to answer for there, jobsworth idiots! A big thumbs up for whoever caught the shirt but then passed it on to the intended recipient instead of keeping it for themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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