It’s becoming a Police State! First they’ll ban swearing, and before you know it kids will no longer be able to take a wazz in a playground!
Everyone has a responsibility to take positive steps to improve this, there are definately instances when the lines of decency are crossed.
Swearing will never be completely removed from society or football, to set that aim is an unrealistic objective. I believe that the family stand should be ‘swear free’ and that it represents a good starting point. As for the rest of the ground everyone should just consider their behaviour and the impact this has on others. As Greenie stated before you can hear abusive and aggressive chants watching any premiership TV match.
I am the first to shout "for f**** sake ref" at a bad decision and the nature and passion of football is such that I am unlikely to replace this with "excuse me referee but that was a terrible decision". We have to be realistic but at the same time consider our actions and behaviour and the impact it has on others. I would not want my children to hear some of the things that are shouted at football matches and expect as a parent my own attitude would change. That said, again I think the family stand reduces that exposure and therefore I would choose to sit there with a child rather than directly behind the goal.
We should each respect each others views on the subject.
One final question;
Does this also apply to away games? If so we’ll need to change the lyrics to the Kendal Mint Cake song…
What about the Bri Pritchard Scotland Yard song as well?! We’re doomed!
He’s big and he’s flaming hard… ???[br][size=1]Posted on: July 31, 2007, 02:58:27 PM[/size][hr]Actually, last year we had the ‘Bring A Friend’ Day, so how about this year we dedicate one game to ‘Swear Your Fking Boocks Off’ Day?!
There are a few other songs we might need to amend…
"You’re not very good, and you know you’re not…"
"You’re so rubbish it’s unbelievable…"
Us Witton Ultras might have to start wearing pink!!! Greenie?
I think there are some good points from both side’s here to be fair. I think the great work done so far by Neil and Andy in bringing in new supporters should be commended and encouraged equally I agree that we aren’t going to cut out all swearing and the odd bl**dy and sh*t is going to be heard.
The embellishment of the Family stand is a great idea and one which should be followed up; why not bring back Witton willy? Etc
Also what about a message inside the programme from Jim Vince or a popular player declaring that abusive swearing is wrong and not to be used in the ground or at school etc.This would give kids a role model figure to look up to and certainly something to link up with local schools etc.
Accompanying that what about a message over the tannoy at kick off and half time, nothing threating but simply asking supporters to respect fans around them by refraining from abusive chanting and swearing.
So what you would be looking to is try and get everyone pulling together to create a more ‘family orientated’ environment which will attract more fans without making other fans feel like they are going to be ‘witch hunted’ out if they say the odd curse.
We might have to start bleeping out swear words with an air horn…
Sorry I can’t help but get involved in this as I can see both points of view. I think the fans behind the goal including our younger fans were brilliant last year with the songs they composed and the vocal support they created. On the whole this was clean and thats the way it should stay. It’s not smart to have obscene chanting when we are representing Witton Albion FC. We won a lot of friends at places like Stamford, Woodley Sports, etc because we kept it clean and it was also witty and funny. I remember the Jimmy Saville like person at Radcliffe borough and the way the mickey was taken out of him wittily by our fans even the guy himself didn’t take offence. Thats the way it should be.We need to keep doing this. Obviously in the heat of the moment we all shout things at the referee, players etc. I do myself but its usually confined to bl–dy idiot or bu–er off!! I’m no saint but if we are to attract more fans and Neil and Andy C are doing a fantastic job we do need to keep it reasonably clean. Remember it might be kids who come with their mums not dads so lets try harder not to have obscene chanting and just stick to the conversational swearing. The shouted witty remark as in the Jimmy Saville thing Now Then Now Then etc is great. Just because players swear and you hear it on Sky etc does’nt make it right. Its Witton Albion FC thats important so lets get publicity for the right reasons and make our Support four letter free as much as possible. I support Baggie on this even though he is a compulsive swearer but only in conversation not in chanting mode!!
No offence to any of our fans on here who feel they are having their freedom of choice taken away. Its not about that really its more about representing your club in the right way!!
I’m afraid the initial posting is a bit unrealistic - but there is a fair point there. Whilst I’m probably at the forefront of this new scheme I don’t expect everything to be rosy when these lads turn up at a game however I think giving the place a potentially more family friendly atmosphere wouldnt go a miss at times.
I think the key point as mentioned elsewhere is the family stand which needs to be pushed as a "bad language" free zone and I think here is where it can be enforced. Having spoke to Grazzer tonight he mentioned what I suspect of a couple of fans who watch the game from this area who are as guilty as the rest of us but I’d say pick the wrong place to do this.
When I started coming, if you stood behind the goals you got the songs, banter and bad language, towards the stand generally it was a lot calmer - as Andy said however you can still hear it but hopefully not as much.
As a point some posters on here appear to have taken it a little personally - I dont think baggie was having a go at any one in particular. As a reminder some old chap threw something at a linesman a year or so ago and a 10yr old lad spat at the ref. all age groups have their incidents/downfalls so dont take it personally!
Any thoughts on a swear box for the players fund - now that’d raise some cash!
Some very valid comments on this and also some absurd ones.
I raised the issue of bad language towards the referee some time ago - highlighting how futile it was - it only serves to get the referee’s back-up towards us. Believe me, it’s that simple.
Now with the advent of the new incentives, it becomes even more important. I agree that spur of the moment expletives are unavoidable, but certain individuals cannot open their mouths without pathetic, offensive bile coming out. Let’s cut it out.
Not often I agree with Baggie, but on this occasion I do - except zero tolerance would be unworkable. Also, Baggie, perhaps we should ban smoking as well!!!
While we are at it, perhaps we should also ban dodgy leg tatoos - if you haven’t seen it yet…
Well, I did stir up a hornets nest with this topic didn’t I. The point I was trying to make was that at present we have a number of chaps who continue to yell obscenities across the park, that can be controlled. Can’t agree with the posts suggesting the family stand, if you dont like the language, we should be free to stand where we want. If the stuff shouted at Wincham Park was repeated on a League ground, you would be most likely get slung out. It isnt clever and is a embarrassment to the club.
In reply to Eddie C’s ban on smoking, it works at the Hawthorns…no I’m not going there, there’s already a price on my head
Are you suggesting that no body who attends a Premier League match swears?! :-X
Think you’ll find that you are wrong.
In the games i’ve attended at Anfield, St James Park, Old Trafford, Gresty Road, etc, i have heard plenty of swearing. Aimed at the ref, at players, or just in general conversation.
Whilst I don’t want to get into this debate as such, I would like zero tolerance on the repetition of incidents that WAFC were reported for last season and which took a lot of my time stating our case and apologising to the victims, the opponents and the FA for the unnecessary actions of individuals.
GE
I’d have to agree GE - that would be a start, and a likely money saver as well.
I agree with what you say about the family stand, and was indicating it was a step in the right direction. As a choice between the 2 - people who constantly rant and rave are better behind the goals than put in an area we designate as a "family" area. Not a solution but a start!
As a final point from me - hopefully a lot of these kids will attend matches - especially when invited down for the tours etc - just be mindful when walking around who you are around.
baggie how the hell can you talk your the first one to give the ref abuse ;D