Freedom of speech v turning people away from HDP

[Iris's Tea Hut]

Morning all! Long time reader, first time poster blah-de-blah.

 

What a match! I thought the difference in halves at the Cray match was clear, but that was amazing! The players were very, very tense in the first half (As was i!) - Not helped by the verbal onslaught by a couple of idiots.

 

Actually registered to pick up on this point, as I feel quite strongly:

 

I was near one of the idiots shouting mindless expletives directly at the players (but without the balls to be specific) after only 5 minutes of home action this season. This is bang out of order on 2 levels - The first being the obvious that I think is pretty unanimous here that more than ever this season we need patience, and to bite our tongues a bit, as the team morale could be a fragile thing.

 

However, the second is that I had 2 young kids with me. I'm not an eejit - I know they are going to hear choice language, as is the nature of the beast. I am also a dedicated user of some of the words on display last night, but in 'suitable' circumstances. However, the relentless, insulting profanities thrown around at the top of his voice by one ignorant inbred for his own perverse sence of self-importance was way past the acceptable. There is definately a time and a place to swear appropriately, and he wasn't intelligent enough, or articulate enough to realise what a fool he was coming across as. As it turns out, this was reinforced by the second half performance on the pitch.

 

Personally, I would like to see the club take a proactive approach to this, just as Ebbsfleet (I think) are trying to do. Although my kids love coming to watch the 'gate, I'm not sure I can stand the fallout once they start using their new vocabulary in front of Mrs Tea Hut!

 

Besides, they can learn to use the language in a more constructive and authoritive way from BA...

[Cookie]

I have to add that in that first half the language coming from the players themselves,at times was shocking.

We have a go at supporters(& rightly so) for choice language but it should apply to the players too.In one instance I actually called out for them to keep the language down.

Nothing wrong with being "up for it" but the players have to hold back too.

I thought this was something the FA were clamping down on. This is where the referee should step in.If I heard it from where I was sitting I'm sure the ref did. Like someone else mentioned if he hadn't heard his own whistle in his ear so much maybe he would have.

[BlueGate Alan]

Must have been the person I heard near half time then ITH? I must say he did look a bit of an idiot by the end of the game for sure.

 

Welcome to the forum too and a great first post may I say

[Coffin Ender]

If it happens again have a quiet word with the person involved or, if you feel intimidated by him, report it to a steward.

 

 

 

[BIG_RON]

Where was this idiot standing? I was at the bar end for both halves and can't say i heard any of this.

With the club trying to attract new support the last thing it needs is somebody like this driving away any potential fans.

 

[BlueGate Alan]

The one I spoke to was by the corner flag at Hartsdown end, he was certainly quiet when I went past him later after doing the half time drinks. Next time I will report him to Peter the safety officer, that sort of language just not needed in the ground IMO.

[Iris's Tea Hut]

Agree. Was unable / unwilling to confront as would've taken the issue with the kids in tow!! He was indeed at the club shop corner flag. That kind of behaviour wouldn't keep me away (apart from the fatc that I have a season ticket!!) as you do get it periodically, but the kids....

 

What also vexxed me was that it started after the first goal, so the players didn't even get 5 minutes before being abused.

[BlueGate Alan]

So he must have kept it going all first half then because I picked it up just before the end of the half. I will certainly remember him and will report him to management next time. If I remember right wasn't there a couple of kids near him too, not sure if they were his.

[Guernsey Tom]

I also heard this doom brain and confirm he was at the Hartsdown end near the corner flag, his language was appalling he was about 40ish, slim about 5'9" tall with greying collar length hair, with a younger male aged about 14. I have nevr seen him at a game before and will check on Saturday if he is in the same place, if he continues in his expletives I will let the stewards know who he is, as it clearly states in the programme that offending behaviour will not be tolerated. (might add that this includes members of staff and players also)

[Hempstead Gaz]

We have a zero tolerence to bad language, which is now being strongly enforced by the stewards, and will result in explulsion.

Having said that, no action will be taken against those slaughtering a poor refereeing decion with a combined chant of "the referee's a wan*er".

It is aimed at those monotonously and continually using foul language in their chanting.

To be fair, it does appear to be working.

Good result for you boys.

You appear to be heading in the right irection with youth.

Chins up.

 

HG

[Tony_T]

'irection' - now that's an interesting use of words Gaz!!!

 

Thank you for your kind comments anyway!

[JeremyJacobs]

The right of freedom of speech is not absolute anywhere in the civilised world. The individual concerned should be expelled from HDP if he/she is breaking MFC rules.

[Hempstead Gaz]

The issue was suddenly taken seriously when our new CEO Davis Davis heard some appalling language in our Charlton freindly.

So bad that families left early because of it.

If more people took the issue so seriously, the problem would soon go away.

[JeremyJacobs]

Nothing new I'm afraid HG. It's all down to education or the lack of it.

[BIG_RON]

Sounds like this guy needs to be dealt with if he shows his face again, lets hope the stewards nip this in the bud before one of our more proactive fans does it for them.

[SteveB]

I spoke to Peter Cove on the phone last night and he said that he had heard about this thread on the forum.

He asked me to let everyone know that this will not be tolerated and if anyone witnesses anything like this again please tell him or a steward.

He also asked me to re-iterate that he is approachable for any concerns that anyone has over matchdays at Hartsdown Park.

Steve