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Raith fan beaten up by Dunfermline thugs meets players and manager as club offers support

A Raith Rovers fan who was beaten up by Dunfermline thugs meets players and the manager as the club offers their heartfelt support.

18 year old Kieren Ross, who is deaf, has received gifts from his beloved club after being seen in a sickening video which was uploaded to social media, but has thankfully led to arrests.

He was attacked after the New Year Fife derby against Dunfermline Athletic on Tuesday, with The Record previously told how Kieren thought he was going to die on the night.

His mum said she was left “physically sick” after seeing footage of the attack online: “My son is severely battered and bruised. This has broken his heart.

“I don’t understand how anyone could do this over a game of football. He was at a bus stop waiting to go home. He said he thought he was going to die and nobody was there to help him. His friends ran away because they were scared.

“He was all alone with 12 boys hurting him – who does that?

“Stamping on his hearing aid and laughing that they broke it? Honestly, I’ve no words. Seeing that video made me physically sick. Hearing them shout the words ‘kill him’.

“Then posting it online like it was an achievement. It’s really not.

“We were in the hospital until 5am. Nobody has had any sleep. I don’t understand what goes through people’s minds.

“He is embarrassed because everybody has seen the video. It was all over social media.”

Raith Rovers and Dunfermline said they would take action to help police identify those involved.

Raith keeper Kevin Dabrowski posted: “This is not what football is about, people like this ruin what football truly means.

“This boy is normally the supporter but he is the one who needs support from Raith and everyone.”

Dunfermline’s Chris Hamilton added: “Not what our club’s about, disappointing to see. Hope the boy is OK.”

A spokesman for Raith Rovers said: “We are aware of an incident involving one of our supporters being assaulted after today’s match.

“We have contacted the supporter to check on their wellbeing and to see how we can provide support in any way possible. The incident has been reported to the police and we will work with Dunfermline Athletic to identify the offenders.”

A Dunfermline Athletic spokesman said: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media last night. The club condemns all forms of violence in the strongest possible way and we will support the authorities in identifying any individuals involved.

“We will work with Raith Rovers to ensure that the supporter involved receives the support they need. Any supporter found to have taken part in this horrible act will be banned from KDM Group East End Park.”

Police Scotland state that an 18-year-old man was taken to Victoria Hospital after being assaulted at around 5.30pm, and on Wednesday, a 17-year-old male was arrested in connection with the attack.

Inspector Neil McGurk said: “A 17-year-old male youth has been arrested in connection with the assault of an 18-year-old man which happened in Dunfermline around 5.30pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 following the Dunfermline Athletic v Raith Rovers football fixture.

“Enquiries are ongoing to trace others involved.”

Raith Rovers said they had contacted the supporter to check on their wellbeing and to see how the club could “provide support in any way possible”.

The Record report that a 20-year-old man has now been arrested in connection with the incident while two youths, aged 15 and 17, have been arrested and charged.

On Friday, the young lad got to meet his heroes, received gifts including a signed shirt and goalie gloves and is now to join the players on the team bus for the game this weekend.

Raith said in a statement on Friday: “We had the pleasure of welcoming Kieren Ross to Stark’s Park today to meet the players and watch training.

“The players surprised Kieren with a number of gifts, including a signed shirt, Dylan Easton’s boots, and Kevin Dabrowski’s gloves.

“Tomorrow [Saturday], Kieren will join the players on the team bus to Airdrie.

“Additionally, an anonymous supporter generously donated a £200 club shop voucher to Kieren.

“On behalf of Kieren and his family, we want to express our appreciation for everyone’s kind messages.”

Twitter users reacted as the Raith fan beaten up by Dunfermline thugs meets players and manager while his club offers support…

@Redhand___: Well done Raith and Blair👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻fantastic gesture💙

@F1lawyer: The way that RRFC have dealt with this unsavoury incident has been exemplary. You should be so proud of everyone connected with your club. Kieren, I wish you all the best, brave man. Dancing on the streets of Raith tonight indeed.

@craigfergusson1: Class from raith rovers , poor lad deserves a wee lift after that attack

@Rossco76: Well done to all involved! After what happened to the poor lad, nice to see him meeting his heroes and put a smile on his face!

@ColDav77: This is absolutely first class from the club! Well done Raith! Hope this cowardly attack that he suffered on Tuesday won’t stop Kieran from travelling to support his team!

@D0dgyf005: Amazing!!! I am really glad the lad is ok and the fact that you all as a club done this for him speaks volumes. Well done to all involved…..💚💙

@tomlins_robert7: What a fantastic thing to do for the lad, everyone should be able to go and support their team, then go home safely, win lose or draw. Brilliant work @RaithRovers

@ninesecondmara1: Many thanks to Raith, Blair and everyone who has went out of their way to support Kieren this week, it really restores your faith in humanity & shines such a great light on the positives that many within the Scottish game are doing right now!

@Iamthestrang: Very well done to Raith Rovers. Very worthy gesture. Hopefully this lads spirits are lifted no end.

@HampsayKevin: Well done to all involved, this is a fantastic respone to support Kieren! Good will always win 💙 Take care Kieren, and enjoy the game tomorrow 👏💙

@_p2baa: 👏👏👏 Well done Raith, put a smile back on the young lads face, memories that will hopefully drown out what he experienced.

@drewgrayson8: Absolutely first class from everyone at raith massive respect to you all 👏🏻 kieren your awesome dude 🙌

@Soccermarsh1: Superb from Raith Rovers – a wonderful gesture to Kieren. Hats off to you and I’m sure Kieren will have loved it and will be looking forward to the weekend. That’s how you look after your own supporters. 👍👍👍

@jamiebh0y1807: Great to see. Hope the young man is able to move on without any further issues caused by others. Well done to all involved in supporting him. Hope those responsible learn a valuable lesson with consequences & never do anything like this again to anyone else. 🤘🏻🙌🏻👍🏻

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