I was sat in my usual seat in the Lower North last night and would be keen to know if anybody else saw/has an opinion on what I saw. There was a group of youths situated in the front row of the stand slightly to the left of the goal and were standing for the entire 90 minutes. Now, I have never had a major problem with standing at football and quite enjoy standing when I go to away games. However on the occasions when I do, I will move if at all to the back of the stand so to not block the view of fellow supporters who may not want to stand or I will not bother. However despite this lack of decency towards other supporters this is not what I have an issue with. At full time, one of these kids threw what looked like a beer bottle towards the Oxford keeper, landing no more than 5 feet from him. The keeper understandably had something to say towards these kids which was met with the usual hand gestures from the kids and then a scarper over the seats in an attempt to not be seen. Even if the fact that they should not (according to club rules) have had a beer bottle so close to the pitch and were seen smoking during half time are overlooked, throwing missiles onto the field of play is something that is starting to creep in from the covered end. Sadly, after a coke can was launched at Chris Kirkland of Sheffield Wednesday this has now happened in consectutive home games. I hope this rant has not perpetrated me as a grumpy old man, but in my view some 'fans' have crossed a line at The Valley in recent home games.
If anyone stands directly in front of me at a game I always ask them to sit down, first politely, and then not so politely. Having said that, I have stood all game at places like Watford, Reading & QPR and it has added to the atmosphere. Throwing stuff is just moronic, if they were kids they need a clip round the ear.
Tut-tut, V-a-v, a clip round the ear will land you in court these days. Clubs can land themselves in a lot of trouble if the ref reports bottles getting thrown at the players, so I'm sure the club will take this seriously if you report it to the appropriate people, and hopefully it can get sorted in-house.
