| [Blog] Rebuttal to the Supporters' Club Statement from an Ipswich Fan Written by commando_north on Friday, 12th Aug 2011 20:17 I'm sure this has been debated to death to here on here today but I am very surprised that the head of the Supporters' Club has made such a divisive statement. I think she has hidden behind the 'racist or homophobic' chanting argument which nobody could possibly argue against the fact that it is not welcome anywhere in society. I have never heard any racist or homophobic chanting at Portman Road, save for the odd individual who I mysteriously haven't seen again, or heard it within the away fans of ITFC. This is aside from the Justin Fashanu song, which while in extremely bad taste isn't necessarily homophobic (he had come out and the song states he is gay, hardly a groundbreaking revelation), but this song is always quickly drowned out by other chants, as the vast majority of fans morale compasses point the misguided in the right direction. I think it's amazing that the representative of the Supporters' Club thinks that 20,000 people from different social and economic classes and demographics are going to want the same experience from a match ay. Some are there to let their anger out from a hard week at work and shout and take aggression out on faceless people, whether it’s the ref or the opposition players generally doesn't matter. Some like to sit and watch the game, others like to see their mates and the football is almost an afterthought. But I guess, to generalise, the builders use far more industrial language than the barristers do. I don't like the tone of threat that has been issued - "the club know who you are and are watching your every move" or whatever it was. If they are making racist chants then fair enough but this seems like a smokescreen to get onto people for booing at a ref's decision away at Colchester! A large majority of the comments on the news story are crazy, comparing these guys who are a bit immature and can't really handle their two shandies they have before the game to the rioters is almost laughable. They look like a bunch of geeky school kids covered in teenage spots, not hardened criminals. People are trying to knock them but all they are trying to do is create an atmosphere, which they seem to be doing away from home especially. Don't forget Paul Jewell and Michael Chopra came out and praised away support at end of Bristol City game, and my guess it was directed at the guys who sang from 2.15 (or earlier as that is the time when I got in ground) until after the players were back in the changing room at full-time. A number of people seem to have a holier than thou attitude and think they are the best fan in the world, but everyone pays their money and can do what they want as long as it is legal, and if they cross or approach that line, someone needs to tell them in no uncertain terms as they are just a bunch of impressionable kids. I think a return to unreserved seating away from home would help, that worked well at Bristol and showed flaws of ticketed seating at Colchester - but amazingly it will always be the people that are offended and moan are the ones that wouldn't possibly leave their ticketed seat even if it means they will enjoy the experience a lot more. Overall though I would like to just state how disappointed I am that the head of Supporters' Club is hiding behind very serious and unfounded allegations, to - in my opinion - put her and her friends' point across, and not one that is necessarily representative of all Ipswich fans. Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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