COMMITTEE changes at Vale of Leithen FC and the fall-out afterwards resulted in a father and son being fined at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Alexander Currie and his son Kevin were due to stand trial on several charges emerging from events on May 29, 2014, and March 21 this year.

But following plea bargaining 56-year-old Currie senior of Mathieson Street, Innerleithen, pleaded guilty to a charge of sending an offensive phone message in which he threatened to break the new secretary’s jaw.

And his son Kevin, 36, of Plora Terrace, Innerleithen, admitted shouting and swearing and uttering threats of violence shortly before a Vale of Leithen home game at Victoria Park.

Not guilty pleas to three other charges involving either of the pair were accepted by the Crown.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said there was a similar background to the offences which followed Alexander Currie resigning on May 14 from his position at the club which he had been involved with for 20 years.

He explained there had been allegations of financial misuse and other issues at the club.

Mr Fraser said: “By May 29 there had been a fair amount of to-ing and fro-ing after the resignation and following press coverage which seemed to have aggrieved Mr Currie raised issues which he took as a personal slight, he contacted the chairman of the club and left a voice message which contained the words, ‘I will f******g break your jaw’.

Turning to the offence committed by Currie junior, Mr Fraser said: “There was a home match for Vale of Leithen on March 21 and people were gathering at the ground prior to kick off.

“The accused was seen in the vicinity shouting and swearing.

“He was shouting ‘f*** you’ and other obscenities. It was difficult to make out what he was shouting.

“He was approached by others and told he needed to go.

“He replied ‘you are getting done in’ and when asked what his problem was the accused replied ‘you are getting battered’.

“It was clear that the accused was very angry and it was to do with the various issues.

“He shouted at other witnesses ‘you are all getting done in’.

“All in all it a very unpleasant situation and it has caused significant anxiety among people at the club.”

Currie senior’s lawyer Natalie Paterson explained her client currently suffers from heart disease, arthritis and depression and that he had been match secretary of the football club for 20 years.

She said: “Changes were brought about in the club which led to his resignation and six other other members  in a fairly acrimonious situation.”

Ms Paterson said that due to his previous duties with the club it was agreed to keep in contact with Currie senior but she said the new committee started to ignore him.

She added: “He wishes for the matter to be dealt with and does not have any hard feelings.  He has major operations coming up.”

Mat Patrick, representing Currie junior, said his client and his father were involved in the club to a large degree and had been a big part of their lives.

He said: “He does not have anything to do with the club now and does not wish to have.  

“He allowed himself to get emotional and angry about it and should have known better.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson said it was a shame that clubs in small communities that are crying out for assistance would be deprived of their assistance as a result of matters such as this.

He fined Currie senior £200 for the offensive text message while Currie junior was fined £175 for shouting and swearing and uttering threats of violence.

Kevin Currie pleaded guilty to another offence which was not related to the Vale of Leithen FC fall-out.  He admitted threatening and abusive behaviour at a neighbouring property in Plora Terrace on October 26 last year and was fined £80.