Builders have been accused of damaging a Fife memorial site dedicated to five young football fans who were among those killed in the Ibrox stadium disaster.
Contractors’ vans have been blamed for the damage after being repeatedly driven over a grass verge, ruining a lawn just a few feet from floral tributes and the memorial stone dedicated to the five teenage boys from Markinch who lost their lives in the 1971 disaster.
Locals have been left incensed by the damage, including Shane Fenton, who was friends with the boys and attended the tragic game, but watched from a different stand.
Shane, who regularly tends to the memorial area, accused the contractors of a lack of respect for the families and the community.
He said: “It’s disgraceful.
“Whoever is responsible has absolutely no regard for the memorial and what it stands for.
“It’s not as if they could have missed it as they’ve driven their vans just a few feet from it.
“Their laziness has now caused unsightly damage which will take months to grow back and many people have already complained to me about it.”
Shane was with the boys at Ibrox on January 2, 1971 when 66 Rangers fans were crushed to death as they were leaving the stadium at the end of an Old Firm game.
He has regularly tended the memorial since and was instrumental in having the tribute improved in recent years.
More than 200 people attended the annual remembrance event in the town earlier this month and many former Rangers players have visited the memorial.
“I was with the boys at the game and I keep the memorial tidy,” said Shane.
“It’s total disrespect,the memorial is still surrounded by tributes following the most recent commemoration at the start of the month.
“Many people, particularly during January, attend to pay respects and I can’t imagine what they think seeing the state of the ground.
“If it was your youngsters doing the same damage on quad bikes there would be an outcry.”
The damage has also been condemned by Angela High, chairwoman of the town’s community council.
“The memorial understandably means a great deal to this community, especially given tragic loss of those young lives that it represents, and the damage is an insult to everyone.
“It’s particularly disappointing as there are parking bays just a few yards away yet those responsible for this damage could see fit to walk just a few extra metres to where they were working.
“We strongly urge people to show a little more respect in future.”
