Arbroath have been forced to deny claims a viral food picture came from a meal served to a club hospitality guest.
The image showing a plate of raw sausages, roast potatoes and cornflour sauce has attracted nearly 5,000 comments and 1,700 likes after appearing on the Football Funnys Facebook page on Saturday night.
The post claimed the dish cost £7.50 and was served by the Red Lichties.
One shocked fan wrote: “Puts the hospital in hospitality.”
But Arbroath commercial director Paul Reid said the dish was so far removed from the quality served up by the Championship outfit that he was relaxed about it.
He said: “I was sent it by a number of people. After speaking with a couple of directors, I found out that they were quite annoyed by it.
“But I think anyone who has been to hospitality and knows the club knows of the exceptional hospitality that we have.
“I think everyone knew that it was a fake story and there was no substance in it.”
Some Arbroath fans defended the club in the comments on the Facebook post.
One wrote: “I can assure you that is not Gayfield.”
Another said: “It’s on this post that the photos have been taken from another site. Nothing to do with Arbroath.”
Speaking to The Courier, Paul added: “I was quite relaxed in the fact that it wasn’t true.
“With social media you know that anyone could take a picture and attribute it to someone.
“It’s just the way of the world these days. In this day and age, any of these posts can be misleading.”
‘Almost 100% positive feedback from guests’
Former Dundee United commercial chief Paul trusts fans won’t be duped by the viral snap and says Arbroath’s record in this area speaks for itself.
He said: “Anyone who has been to the hospitality has enjoyed themselves.
“We receive glowing reviews, gaining almost 100% positive feedback from guests.
“People will know that that plate is nowhere near the high standards that we as a football club put out.
“Anyone who hasn’t been to sample the food during matchdays should come along to sample what we have on offer rather than judge it on a fake image online.”
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