Troon neighbours told to take down Rangers flags from homes

The two men stay next door to each other and proudly fly their club’s flag from a pole attached to their building in their back garden. This is along with Union Jacks and sometimes Scotland flags.

Joe (left) and Duncan (right) display flags and a Rangers crest at the their homes

Now, council bosses have issued them letters demanding the flags are taken down as they could incite anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

The street is made up of sheltered housing owned by the council. Duncan James, 74, and Joe Stirling, 71, are tenants there and stay next door to each other.

Duncan said: “I think it’s ridiculous. We follow a football team and it’s only for our benefit so I don’t see what the problem is.

“We don’t drink and we don’t smoke, we just fly our flags and support our club, surely we’re entitled to do that.”

Joe can’t believe what they’re being asked. He added: “The woman that came along to me at first said ‘what’s with all the flags?’ Because apart from my Union Jack I had a St Andrew’s flag and the Lion Rampant hanging out the window. She said ‘do you know these are not allowed cause you might offend folk.’

“I’ve had my flag for about five years and nothing’s been said about it until the past few months.

“We’ve had mixed signals because it’s the back door but nobody can see our back door, and there isn’t a door out our front.”

“I’ve also got a Red Hand of Ulster flag

Rangers-mad Duncan has his club’s crest embellished on the gate to his garden but he said he’s just waiting to hear back from the council before anything else is done. He said: “I’ve also got a Red Hand of Ulster flag the same size but I better not put that out the now.”

If I take that flag down and put one up of Mickey Mouse, what are they going to say then?

The pair, perplexed at the issue strongly believe they have the right to fly their flags. Joe stressed: “I think it’s just over-bearing their power. If I take that flag down and put one up of Mickey Mouse, what are they going to say then?

“We’ll probably take them down until we see what the council say to be on the safe side.

“We believe we should have these flags. We’re in here, living here in our seventies. We’re here until we pass away effectively. Are you telling me can’t even fly a couple of flags?”

A spokesperson from South Ayrshire Council commented: “It was brought to the council’s attention that a football club flag was displayed on council owned property, this is discouraged. Following the letter being issued, housing staff made the offer to meet with the tenant to discuss this further, but unfortunately this has been declined.

However, we are still hopeful that a meeting can take place.”