Ballinamallard United has taken action after a young girl was hit in the face with a glass bottle following Friday night’s match between Ballinamallard United and Portadown FC.

The young Ballinamallard mascot was in the Fisher stand with her mother when she was hit under the eye with a bottle thrown by a Portadown supporter who was leaving Ferney Park.

Impartial Reporter:

Photo: David Clarke

As a result of the incident and a previous incident at a Crusader's match on December 10, a meeting was held last night to review arrangements at the grounds.

Until now, the visiting supporters have to pass home supporters as they leave Ferney Park.

A statement from Ballinamallard United this morning said: "Following consultation last night between our Club Commitee Officers, the PSNI, our Stewarding team, and supporters reps, it has been decided that home fans will now occupy the Village stand, and away fans will occupy the Fisher stand at Ferney Park. This takes effect immediately and will be in operation for our home match against Glenavon on Tuesday January 17 and will continue thereafter."

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Club Chairman Jeff Aiken said: “We recognise the seriousness of the issue. Ballinamallard will have to take steps to ensure this does not happen again.”

A representative from the Northern Ireland Football League attended the match and heard about the girl being hit with the glass bottle. His feedback on the incident recommended that “the arrangements for entering and exiting the grounds are something that needs to be looked at.”

Mr. Aiken reported that the young girl, who does not wish to be identified, was immediately treated by the club’s physio, who applied paper stitches and ice to the cut. She was taken to the South West Acute Hospital where she did not require stitches.

“I have been in regular contact with the girl’s family and she has not been put off sport,” Mr. Aiken continued. “This has not put the family off supporting their club. The first team will sign a ball which will be presented to the girl at our next home match on January 17, where her brothers and sisters will be team mascots.”

Mr. Aiken concluded: “This was one mindless eejit from Portadown and is not reflective of all Portadown supporters. We have been inundated by Portadown supporters who are very remorseful. We have not been able at this stage to identify the individual responsible.

“In our five years as an Irish League Premiership team there have ever only been minor incidents. Thankfully noone was seriously injured on Friday but this will kick us into taking action.”

A statement posted on facebook by Portadown Supporter’s Society (PSS) condemned “this wanton act of violence” and described the individual’s actions as “despicable”. 

PSS called on the culprit to “make themselves known to the club immediately” and added: “If they cannot raise the courage to come forward we would appeal to anyone with information to pass on details to the club.”

PSS pledged to donate all profits from a 50/50 at a recent match to the victim and will formally invite her and her family to be VIP guests at Shamrock Park at Portadown’s next meeting with Ballinamallard United.

A police spokeswoman said: “On the evening of Friday, December 30, police received the report of a young girl getting hit in the face with a bottle at a football game on the Enniskillen Road in the Ballinamallard area. The girl received treatment on site for injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. Enquiries are ongoing at this time.”