Comments on: The clear-up begins http://www.completetosh.com/weblog/2008/05/15/the-clear-up-begins/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:43:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Shaun Milne http://www.completetosh.com/weblog/2008/05/15/the-clear-up-begins/#comment-20479 Shaun Milne Sat, 17 May 2008 05:51:04 +0000 http://www.completetosh.com/weblog/2008/05/15/the-clear-up-begins/#comment-20479 I know that if my stuttering team were ever to reach such a grand final, wild horses wouldn't stop me from going, and I see no reason why Rangers fans should have stayed away. From a neutral's point of view, I thought the sight from a TV helicopter looking down on the blue masses, the build up, and the noise throughout the game was hair tingling. Not that I like Rangers. They annoy me. There is much about elements of the fan base that disturbs me too. But as bad lamentable as the trouble was, it remained tame compared to that inflicted by English thugs across the world in recent years. I cannot help but feel many, in the Press, in politics and elsewhere, have reacted with glee at finally having a chance to get one over Scots fans consistently praised for their good behaviour. Anyone who has lived in Glasgow during Old Firm days will know drunk, punch swinging, bottle wielding fans are nothing new. It is a sad fact of life. But one their city, police and 999 services have adapted to over the years. I fear Manchester has been found wanting in such circumstance, fearful of accents as much as numbers. And instead of asking who is to blame, maybe the question should be how to make it better next time. I know that if my stuttering team were ever to reach such a grand final, wild horses wouldn’t stop me from going, and I see no reason why Rangers fans should have stayed away.
From a neutral’s point of view, I thought the sight from a TV helicopter looking down on the blue masses, the build up, and the noise throughout the game was hair tingling.
Not that I like Rangers. They annoy me. There is much about elements of the fan base that disturbs me too.
But as bad lamentable as the trouble was, it remained tame compared to that inflicted by English thugs across the world in recent years.
I cannot help but feel many, in the Press, in politics and elsewhere, have reacted with glee at finally having a chance to get one over Scots fans consistently praised for their good behaviour.
Anyone who has lived in Glasgow during Old Firm days will know drunk, punch swinging, bottle wielding fans are nothing new. It is a sad fact of life.
But one their city, police and 999 services have adapted to over the years. I fear Manchester has been found wanting in such circumstance, fearful of accents as much as numbers. And instead of asking who is to blame, maybe the question should be how to make it better next time.

]]> By: onionbagblogger http://www.completetosh.com/weblog/2008/05/15/the-clear-up-begins/#comment-20459 onionbagblogger Fri, 16 May 2008 14:16:46 +0000 http://www.completetosh.com/weblog/2008/05/15/the-clear-up-begins/#comment-20459 Good to get a first hand account. The 'reporting' on 5Live on Thursday morning was hysterical with finger pointing all over the place. Still, 200,000 fans boozing it all day in the sun ahead of a huge game, and something is going to happen (as you rightfully point out.) Spot on with the 'fans as backdrop' observation! Good to get a first hand account. The ‘reporting’ on 5Live on Thursday morning was hysterical with finger pointing all over the place.

Still, 200,000 fans boozing it all day in the sun ahead of a huge game, and something is going to happen (as you rightfully point out.)

Spot on with the ‘fans as backdrop’ observation!

]]> By: Kenny Macaulay http://www.completetosh.com/weblog/2008/05/15/the-clear-up-begins/#comment-20406 Kenny Macaulay Thu, 15 May 2008 23:06:04 +0000 http://www.completetosh.com/weblog/2008/05/15/the-clear-up-begins/#comment-20406 Have to say I was worried about you and your father. I knew you were going, and I know how easy it is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I foresaw what was going to happen, although not the failed screen bit admittedly, and it gave me no pleasure to be right. I was brought up with these sort of people. It was obvious, though, that the problem was not with those in the stadium, black market tickets or not. Rangers and Celtic have fans who are as fanatical about their team as I am when I go to see Thistle or Scotland. We shout, swear, and get broken-hearted at times, but we are primarily football fans, and don't see the need to get totally blootered and take on the locals, police or others who happen to get in the way. Shame, deep shame, on Scottish Football today, and I despair for my city. Glasgow deserves better ambassadors. Have to say I was worried about you and your father. I knew you were going, and I know how easy it is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I foresaw what was going to happen, although not the failed screen bit admittedly, and it gave me no pleasure to be right. I was brought up with these sort of people.

It was obvious, though, that the problem was not with those in the stadium, black market tickets or not. Rangers and Celtic have fans who are as fanatical about their team as I am when I go to see Thistle or Scotland. We shout, swear, and get broken-hearted at times, but we are primarily football fans, and don’t see the need to get totally blootered and take on the locals, police or others who happen to get in the way.

Shame, deep shame, on Scottish Football today, and I despair for my city. Glasgow deserves better ambassadors.

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