Fans of Dumbarton FC are being asked if young supporters should be banned from banging drums at home matches.

An online poll has been launched by the Sons Trust to gauge opinion after a controversial incident last month when stewards took a drum from a group of young fans during a crucial third round Scottish Cup tie.

The drum was removed after complaints about noise from some other fans at a match against Elgin City on November 18, which Dumbarton won 1-0.

But The Sons Trust say the way the drum was removed was “unfortunate” and they had received several representations about the incident.

Simon Barrow, communications and projects officer for the Sons Trust, said: “We are confident that arrangements can be made to handle things better in future.”

Now the trust has launched an online poll to gauge views.

The week-long poll, launched on November 28, asks fans: “Are you broadly in agreement with a group of young supporters having a drum allowed into the stadium to help boost the atmosphere on match days?”

Simon said: “This needs to be done in a way that encourages both existing and new supporters to generate a positive atmosphere for the team and for other fans.

“We have had quite a few representations about this incident, and it seems that the great majority have no problem with drumming, singing and chanting.

“At the same time, we appreciate some may not want to be in the immediate vicinity of a drum, and that it can be difficult for stewards and officials to make snap decisions in the middle of a game.”

In a statement, the club said it had no specific policy on supporters bringing drums into the stadium, but a number of complaints had previously been received.

It added: “However, the club’s published ground regulations make it clear that noise which is likely to cause annoyance or nuisance to other supporters or neighbours is not permitted.

“Following the Irn Bru Cup match with Raith Rovers the club received a number of complaints from season ticket holders and it was against this background that the decision to remove the drum was made.

“The club is always keen to attract new supporters and to improve the match day atmosphere and experience for all supporters within the stadium.

“To this, end the Sons Trust has been invited to consult with supporters and we currently await their views.

“The club will work with the Sons Trust towards establishing a suitable safe area to accommodate supporters who wish to bring a drum into the Stadium should this be the preferred option of supporters who express a view on the matter.”

Opinion among fans is split.

One commented on Facebook: “I find it sad that it’s come to the point where we need to canvass fans to find out if we’re happy to have some boys enjoying themselves at the ground.

“I took a drum to few games when I was younger and there was nothing like this sort of carry on, the people who didn’t want to be next to it moved and the people who liked it joined in.”

And another commented: “Random solo beating of a drum at the fitba all the time doesn’t create an atmosphere, it creates a racket. It might be alright as an accompaniment to singing or chanting and possibly just bearable.”

More details are available on the Sons Trust website.