Buzzer
Languidly Clinical
- Oct 1, 2006
- 26,121
I don't think this got mentioned on here, apologies if it has, but a Blackpool fan was jailed last week for 6 months for storming the director's box at Blackpool. He also got a 6 year banning order. A fellow fan got a suspended sentence and presumably a banning order too.
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/n...for-blackpool-directors-box-threats-1-7695080
What interests me (scares me actually) was the judge's comments about the fans' actions because there were big similarities with what Brighton fans did at the Goldstone and Priestfield and I wonder what would happen if we'd had our fight today rather than nearly 20 years ago. Here's a few comments:
I'd argue that it was behaviour like that, that saved our club and is now part of Albion folklore.
Won't anyone think of the children? If in doubt, always use the 'pensioners and children' line.
Really? None at all? Fans have been abused by directors through social media and silenced through solicitors. The directors have taken a stance of not being prepared to listen or respond to fans' concerns. The Stan Mortensen statue was temporarily removed for no apparent reason other than provocation on Fans United day. The club's position on the pitch is evermore perilous, the state of the ground, the pitch and facilities are an embarrassment and the directors continue to take their big salaries whilst everything else around the club appears to suffer.
This last comment by the judge, I find the most upsetting. This club is dying on its arse and fans are at their wits end. What point does a prison sentence greater society and if there are no mitigating circumstances then why exactly did the Blackpool fan do what he did? Shocking decision and a bad day for football, in my opinion and shows just how harshly football crimes are treated in comparison with non-football crimes.
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/n...for-blackpool-directors-box-threats-1-7695080
What interests me (scares me actually) was the judge's comments about the fans' actions because there were big similarities with what Brighton fans did at the Goldstone and Priestfield and I wonder what would happen if we'd had our fight today rather than nearly 20 years ago. Here's a few comments:
Jailing Rushton, the judge said: “Football does not need your behaviour “What you did on the day – you stormed the directors box at Bloomfield Road – does you no credit and football no credit.
I'd argue that it was behaviour like that, that saved our club and is now part of Albion folklore.
“You wore a mask – a frightening mask – and it did frighten innocent and elderly people and children. It intimidated them and then you turned to the crowds and glorified in what you had done.
Won't anyone think of the children? If in doubt, always use the 'pensioners and children' line.
“I find no mitigating factors in your behaviour whatsoever.”
Really? None at all? Fans have been abused by directors through social media and silenced through solicitors. The directors have taken a stance of not being prepared to listen or respond to fans' concerns. The Stan Mortensen statue was temporarily removed for no apparent reason other than provocation on Fans United day. The club's position on the pitch is evermore perilous, the state of the ground, the pitch and facilities are an embarrassment and the directors continue to take their big salaries whilst everything else around the club appears to suffer.
This last comment by the judge, I find the most upsetting. This club is dying on its arse and fans are at their wits end. What point does a prison sentence greater society and if there are no mitigating circumstances then why exactly did the Blackpool fan do what he did? Shocking decision and a bad day for football, in my opinion and shows just how harshly football crimes are treated in comparison with non-football crimes.
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