start with the players not the fans

[Pagey]

article here about swearing at hartsdown http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/swearing-Margate/story-17124663-detail/story.html

 

I would say start with the players and not the fans

[Coffin Ender]

That makes us sound like a right bunch of do-gooders, doesn't it?

I do miss the old days of the Coffin End and mass baiting of opposing players.

[Pagey]

so do I,

 

I would like opposition fans and players to dread coming to HDP, get back to the days of trying to wind up their players so that they react

[Margate Don]

Who let Mrs Smith into the sponsors lounge?

[dflman]

Swearing is foul language and something that I personally try not to do as it often is an indication of poor vocabulary - I have been going to football for a very long time at all levels and with big crowds I find that it seems to meld into the general atmosphere so seems not to be particularly offensive. At our current level it is very noticeable and, as Don says, particularly when it is coming off the field from the players. Surely the match officials should be taking the lead in controlling it by having a word before the kick off. I'm not naive enough to think that it will stop it completely but it may have some effect. We should all applaud the club for trying to promote a family image but whether it is a newsworthy press item is another matter - was there nothing much to write about that day as I seem to think the notices have been up in the ground for quite a while now ?

[Frankie100]

Who let Mrs Smith into the sponsors lounge?

 

Think she was trying to sneak in there without anyone realising who she was

[Coffin Ender]

Swearing is foul language and something that I personally try not to do as it often is an indication of poor vocabulary - I have been going to football for a very long time at all levels and with big crowds I find that it seems to meld into the general atmosphere so seems not to be particularly offensive. At our current level it is very noticeable and, as Don says, particularly when it is coming off the field from the players. Surely the match officials should be taking the lead in controlling it by having a word before the kick off. I'm not naive enough to think that it will stop it completely but it may have some effect. We should all applaud the club for trying to promote a family image but whether it is a newsworthy press item is another matter - was there nothing much to write about that day as I seem to think the notices have been up in the ground for quite a while now ?

 

Swearing in chanting I don't like as it is contrived. However, individuals turning the air blue in a fit of rage is good.

The crowd are part of the entertainment too - if the game is rubbish at least people will have had a good shout and a laugh for their money.

As for players swearing, yes, sometimes there is no need for it. However, intimidation of the officials is a vital part of the game (and if you disagree with that what do you think Alex Ferguson has spent his whole career doing?) and I'm not going to complain if that helps us get penalties.

Edited October 19, 2012 by Coffin Ender

[MummyBunny]

Thank you for being volunteered by me Terry such a shame i had to work!!! (delegation is a joy)

[Blue Banshee]

Who let Mrs Smith into the sponsors lounge?

 

I didnt go in I promise!!!!

[Tesco Bazza]

I've just listened to the radio kent phone in on this matter what a load of rubbish. Stopping swearing won't get more families coming to watch. A successful winning team will do this.

The team and CK need to pull there finger out and get us playing like we were at the beginning of the season.

Just a big pr stunt maybe families will come because of this but won't hang around and come back again if they have to watch dross.

[Wellsie]

No one is suggesting it is the only issue to consider about attendance at games, but for some it is a factor and one that is attracting a lot of media attention to us. Frankly, even if it was just a PR stunt (which it isn't I hasten to add) it's been a reptty good one with the coverage we've had. We do take the development of our community credentials seriously and this falls squarely into that area. Hopefully, my recognition of the supporters and their creativity came across too.

 

And just to be clear, other than safety and security at matches, winning games is THE single most important thing we can do to attract and grow attendance.

[Tesco Bazza]

We don't need security and safety when we get 79 watching!

Personally I didn't think the swearing was that bad and certainly not any worse than anyone else in our league. I'm just glad that hornchurch bunch are not coming to hartsdown this year. But they will probably be back next year, will they be removed for swearing.

[DEREK]

My opinion on this matter is, swearing from the fans is not what anyone likes to hear (I hope) but is difficult to control. However foul language from inside the barrier is totally unacceptable, why, because we have men in black to enforce the rules, we also have directors/owners, club officials, managers etc to stamp it out and they should take action of some sort. I think referees should be approached before the games at home by the club and asked to implement the rules of the club in the most sensible way. i.e. let the players and staff of both teams know what is expected beforehand and what will happen if this advice is ignored. Now if you don't like my opinion you can ............... !

[Dutch_Mike]

Just out of interest, Wellsie, although I am in no way suggesting that you are lying, do you have any evidence to suggest that the 'swearing factor' does affect attendances. Have surveys been carried out to suggest that people actively stay away from the football ground due to excessive swearing?

[I am Spartacus]

Must agree with Derek. The swearing must be stopped from the benches and players first and refs do have the authority to do this.

 

After all we can all name more foulmouthed managers than the alleged swearing fans.

[Pagey]

Just out of interest, Wellsie, although I am in no way suggesting that you are lying, do you have any evidence to suggest that the 'swearing factor' does affect attendances. Have surveys been carried out to suggest that people actively stay away from the football ground due to excessive swearing?

 

Completely with you on this one Mike

 

if this were the case most premiership matches would be poorly attended

[DEREK]

Premiership, probably where it all starts, the chanting, the diving, the calling for a card to be shown and any number of problems that are getting into lower divisions and non-league, we at the lower end of football are being grouped by the media as " spoilt/yobbish football fans" and a "hooligan sport" . All because of prima donna players and managers who earn too much and show no respect for each other, officials or fans. I for one am pleased that I support Margate, a club who at least are trying to clean up, not that it's a bad ground to go to anyway. If the regular fans can project this to the community as a whole, via MISA perhaps, we may increase numbers. We have a good place to watch football (will be better) just a shame we have to battle against reputation from higher divisions.

[Pagey]

this whole thing is making me cringe.

 

If you dont want to hear swearing then dont go to a footy match, go and watch cricket instead

[Wellsie]

Just out of interest, Wellsie, although I am in no way suggesting that you are lying, do you have any evidence to suggest that the 'swearing factor' does affect attendances. Have surveys been carried out to suggest that people actively stay away from the football ground due to excessive swearing?

 

We haven't quantified it in a formal way but the activity - from putting the posters up last season through to now - is on the back of feedback from people attending matches who were offended / concerned. At the risk of being shot down, the other guy on the interviw with me this morning on Radio Kent from Kent University (I hope he'll forgive me, I can't remember his name) in essence spoke about the societal benefits about seeking to address the issue.

 

I'm sure not everyone will agree, but at the very least, there is clearly no harm in not using foul language and most people wouldn't expect to hear some of it elsewhere in public. So why at a football ground? And no one is allowed to say "it's part of football"!

[Wellsie]

this whole thing is making me cringe.

 

If you dont want to hear swearing then dont go to a footy match, go and watch cricket instead

 

Too late!