Why Talbot fans are boycotting Celtic clash

Auchinleck Talbot supporters are reportedly preparing to boycott their upcoming Scottish Cup tie against Celtic after a controversial decision to move the match away from their home ground.

The clash, which sees the reigning Scottish champions travel to face the West of Scotland Premier Division side, was expected to be one of the biggest moments in Auchinleck Talbot’s history. For a non-league club, the opportunity to host Celtic in the Scottish Cup is a once-in-a-generation occasion. However, that sense of excitement has been replaced by anger and disappointment among sections of the fanbase.

According to reports, the match has been relocated from Beechwood Park to Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park. The decision was taken amid concerns over whether Beechwood Park, which has a capacity of around 4,000, could safely accommodate a fixture of such magnitude.

While the move was made on logistical and safety grounds, it has sparked outrage among Talbot supporters in Ayrshire, many of whom believe their club has surrendered a crucial home advantage and a historic opportunity. Fans argue that hosting Celtic at Beechwood Park would have been a defining moment for the club and the local community.

Frustration has been intensified by comparisons to a previous high-profile cup tie. In 2022, Auchinleck Talbot successfully hosted Hearts at their home ground, demonstrating, in the eyes of supporters, that the club is capable of managing major matches. For many fans, that fixture serves as proof that Beechwood Park could have staged the Celtic game as well.

The anger among supporters has grown to the point where some have decided not to attend the relocated match at all. Instead, they plan to stay closer to home in protest, directing their spending back into the club rather than travelling to Kilmarnock.

Club legend Kenny Paterson has voiced his devastation at the decision and confirmed that he will be among those boycotting the tie. Speaking about the move, Paterson said he was far more than disappointed — describing himself as heartbroken by the loss of what should have been a historic occasion at Beechwood Park.

Paterson claimed he has yet to encounter a single supporter who supports the switch, stating that the overwhelming majority of fans feel deeply let down. He revealed that many others he knows have also decided against attending the match in protest.

Rather than travelling to Rugby Park, Paterson plans to watch the game in Auchinleck’s social club. He explained that any money he would have spent on match tickets or travel will instead be put back into the club through the bar, ensuring the funds still benefit Talbot directly.

He added that even before the tie was moved, excitement among fans had already begun to fade. At a recent match, Paterson said the Celtic fixture was barely mentioned, with one supporter describing it as “the tie from hell.” According to Paterson, some fans now simply want the match over with so attention can return to league and Junior Cup matters.

For supporters, the disappointment runs deeper than just the loss of home advantage. Hosting the Scottish champions at Beechwood Park would have been a historic moment unlikely to ever be repeated. Many feel that opportunity has been taken away from the club and its supporters.

Paterson also criticised the broader handling of the situation, arguing that the club invested significant time and money to meet the necessary licensing requirements to compete in the Scottish Cup. He suggested that the decision to move the game was influenced by pressure from authorities rather than the club’s own preference.

According to Paterson, there is a belief among some committee members that they were effectively forced into agreeing to the relocation. While Auchinleck may have been deemed capable of handling a fixture against Hearts, Paterson claims the view was that matches involving Celtic or Rangers present entirely different challenges.

As the cup tie approaches, the sense of injustice continues to overshadow what should have been a landmark occasion for Auchinleck Talbot. Instead of celebrating a historic home fixture, the club now faces a divided fanbase, with many supporters choosing protest over participation.