28 replies to this topic

[st nichs lawman]

i have been to many away games this season and last and have to say when the choir is not there they are missed.I dont sing mainly cos i am driving and have not drunk anywhere near enough to let people suffer with my voice but it is good to stand there and hear how well the Blues are supported.I am sure it is appreciated by the players.Many of the songs make you smile.Here ends the praise.With such good banter the norm it was disappointing to hear reference  to nazi and Aushwitz !! The latter shouted out rather than sung communally led to a number of us to react and schhhh the comment.i have no problem with the five bombers  as after all Shepherd Neame had an entire advertising campaign on it ( until it was pulled by the advertising authorities for bad taste !!!) and as has been said we all swear in the heat of the moment but reference to nazi and Aushwitz to a young German keeper was not banter but abuse beyond good taste.
Keep on singing lads but think where you are and what you represent: Yourselves and the club

[hangthedj]

I'd like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise, to anyone who may have been offended by my language or comments, I can only speak from myself on here, but I'm sure that any of the other lads would also be deeply sorry to know anything we'd said had upset people quite so much.

I implore you to come and speak to us at games, voice your concerns, we won't bite your head off. We're all there to support the club at the end of the day, things are said in the heat of the moment and in many cases after one pint too many, which are over the top and I'll be the first to admit that. What is important is that we learn from it, the average age amongst the 9 of us present of Saturday is no more than 21 after all, we don't have the self control of you older, wiser heads sometimes.

I look forward to chatting with some of you at the Kingstonian game.

[Joseba]

hangthedj, on 30 January 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

I'd like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise, to anyone who may have been offended by my language or comments, I can only speak from myself on here, but I'm sure that any of the other lads would also be deeply sorry to know anything we'd said had upset people quite so much.

I implore you to come and speak to us at games, voice your concerns, we won't bite your head off. We're all there to support the club at the end of the day, things are said in the heat of the moment and in many cases after one pint too many, which are over the top and I'll be the first to admit that. What is important is that we learn from it, the average age amongst the 9 of us present of Saturday is no more than 21 after all, we don't have the self control of you older, wiser heads sometimes.

I look forward to chatting with some of you at the Kingstonian game.

[Wellsie]

I’ve been watching this thread and chatting with a couple of people and now wanted to give a broader perspective to the issue.

The first thing to say is that in any use of abusive language, it is not as simple as the perpetrator saying, “well I think it’s OK to use this language,” and particularly in a public setting. It is only decent to consider the perspective of other people around us, notwithstanding the more colourful language you would expect at a football match.

In this specific case, Carshalton Athletic officials asked Cliff to speak to Margate supporters; to ask them to tone the language down given the mix of younger people in the ground and after “numerous” complaints.

The Carshalton officials wanted to strike a conciliatory tone rather than ejecting the offenders, which they were entitled to do, as we are at Hartsdown. Given the nature of the concerns they expressed, they would have been within their rights to have communicated them to the football authorities.

In a small ground with a small crowd, individual as well as collective voices can be plainly heard, so, “bad language happens at Premier League clubs” is no defence.

Having spoken to Cliff this afternoon, his major concern is the potential damage that such behaviour – as experienced by people outside our club – could potentially do to the reputation of the club. In Cliff’s experience, a deteriorating reputation can have a negative impact on attracting sponsors and other commercial partners.

Given the positive feeling around the club at the moment with the team performing well on the pitch and the stadium development coming to fruition, he feels particularly strongly about the cub’s reputation at a time when we are working hard to promote our community – as well as our commercial - credentials.

He also asked me to reassure all supporters that he really enjoys the vocal support that the team gets away from home. He much prefers plenty of noise inside Hartsdown Park than a hushed atmosphere, but he is equally keen to ensure that Margate does not gain a reputation as a club that attracts foul and abusive language – home or away.

We do need everyone’s support – be loud and proud – but consider other people as well, is the message.

[Dutch_Mike]

I have to say, the past few responses, from margateshot's latest to Wellsie's, are all well thought-out contributions.

As the dust settles, I personally think (hindsight is a wonderful thing, no?) both parties could have acted more appropriately. A tad more mutual respect towards each other is required from everyone, I'd argue.

[phil d]

you will always have swearing from the crowd at whatever level of football. I was there  Saturday and must say is this.

The only way the board will be happy is if they ban singing or shouting at any of Margates games
wheres the drum oh not aloud that its to noisy,
If we ever get the new stadium we better make it OAPs only as they dont sing or shout that much then they will be happy,
will Harry Redknapp get any stick for his antics when he is in the dugout, no he wont if he manages margate fc as we will all be mute, at the boards request
Singing,Swearing,Banter is part and parcel of singing and shouting from the crowd at all football games, get on with it board.
as for its a family club i think you will find all clubs encourage families.

[Tesco Bazza]

A few swear words are never going to really harm anyone and most children especially ones from margate cannot complete a sentence without one. I would be more concerned if the choir was going away and being violent and causing trouble.

[blueblood]

"A few swear words are never going to really harm anyone and most children especially ones from margate cannot complete a sentence without one. I would be more concerned if the choir was going away and being violent and causing trouble."

The English language is large enough surely, that we do not have to resort to using foul and offensive language at all to get the message over. Sing songs but keep it clean. Why this fascination with the foul and obscene.

Edited by blueblood, 30 January 2012 - 08:13 PM.

[blueblood]

say's it all.