I think it was 1985 or 1986 when I took my lad age 11 to St James' Park to see Newcastle play Liverpool. With us was a young man from Liverpool. By accident we found ourselves high behind the goal among some pretty savage Newcastle thugs who threw coins, bottles, and even darts. The language and attitude was that of Paris streets in 1792. My Liverpudlian friend was quiet the whole time despite Liverpool winning 1 - 4. I admit I was naive, but really, who was it with issues? Just as the French mobs had no idea about the country they wanted to establish, or politics or statesmanship,those Newcastle savages were at St James' to vent their anger, not to enjoy competitive sport. The football event acted as a safety valve to let off steam. Issues? I'll say they had issues alright.
My son is 7 yrs old, and since getting into football these last couple of years he has favourites from all the big teams who he would like to see at the KC. He likes to see all the best players play and can cheer any well played pass, goal or save. I go to pub to watch non-City games with fans from other teams and enjoy the banter when their team plays well/poorly so I don't understand how we can live in an era where fans from both teams can sit next to each other without violence or abuse - most other team sports manage it. That been said, there are some people out there who are even prepared to shout at/swear at kids for wearing other teams colours, so letting them wear Liverpool shirts in the city end is down-right stupid.
A lad on the row in front of me was a Liverpool fan. He stood up and nearly cheered what he thought was a Liverpool goal until he was pulled to sit back down to the person he was with. I did see two Asian guys both wearing their coat fully zipped up except you could see the collar of the Liverpool shirt around their neck.
I've lived in a lot of places in the UK and because of this I've sat in away ends watching Liverpool many times, I have never worn a Liverpool shirt and I've never celebrated a goal while in the away end (just sat there with a smile on my face). If you are silly enough to wear an opposition shirt in the home end you need kicking out. The tribalism within the sport is what makes it special if we allow the PC brigade to chip away at that the game will really die.
how many random 7yr old took up to supporting Liverpool ? , none of them will have been born when the did anything newsworthy - its clearly their parents that pushed them into plasticity and it should be a safe bet that if the poor kid ,who knows no better following plaggy daddy is in the home end his did will be in there too with his sad shirt on hidden under his jumper - feeling safe and clever to show off his son . these parents are tossers
It was £2 cheaper for them to sit with the other Liverpool fans. There should be protests about a ticketing policy that leaves fans at risk of spending more to be kicked out.
Is there any coincidence that the larger majority of those complaining are women? As I've said before women and football don't mix and this thread proves it. They haven't got a clue what supporting a team is about. I'd suggest, to all the women out there, do what my woman does, don't get involved and make sure you let your man blow his load in your face every time his team wins and suck him off every time they lose. A draw would trigger the anal clause.
My grandson is a Southampton season ticket holder, he is 11. His second team is Hull City and he has even been a matchday mascot. He made his own rules for going to watch matches. Southampton vs Hull he is a Saints fan obviously Hull vs Southampton he is a Saints fan and sits in the away end with the rest. Hull vs anyone else, if he is at the match he is a City fan and wears the colours. For him it is simple. Being a Saints supporter means exactly that. He would rather not go than sit in the home stands at the KC. It is nonesense and typical pandering to have a child away colours in a home end. There is only one club that encouraged it as far as I know and that was Fulham. As for away fans in home stands, the rules are quite clear and should be enforced. This is something that the FWG needs to address quickly.
Thanks. That's pretty much what I pointed out above. But regarding political correctness, haven't you considered that it is all about good manners, and manners belong to civilized society? Good manners are nothing other than avoiding giving offence; and while it might be offensive to some football spectators that the opponents have their supporters too, it is far more offensive to behave like a savage. For heaven's sake, these women are writing about their children, and those children are surely not out to offend strangers at a sports stadium.
Have to agree with this. It's going to be a big issue for us next year as i am sure a few of our season ticket holders when we are in the Premier Leagie will have "second teams". I can pretty much guarantee we'll have Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs fans in our end not to mention Liverpool and Man United. Most people wouldn't dream of having a go at little kids but, as you say, the parents should be saying no. It's a red rag to a bull.
