Arthur
Well-known member
Do you think that perhaps he was acting poorly before he was asked his age?
What has his behavior got to do with how old he is? The only possible reason I can think you'd need to know someones age is if they were trying to enter the ground with a concession ticket. Did you ask his height, weight, inside leg measurement as well?
If the guy was acting up and you didn't want him the ground then his age is completely irrelevant.
Personally, I have never had to ask any fan their age - but then most have acted theirs. There was one occasion I suppose, where a couple of 40year-old were saying "look, that's one of those that stops us from smoking" and pointing at me, for which I found them somewhat immature and pointless. Most people comport themselves well, and with normal behaviour at a football match (even when they are giving the dugout some verbal).
So, to underline the point - people who do NOT act well when in this environment, stand out. Wouldn't you agree with that scenario?
To an extent yes I would, but I would also suggest jumped up little berks in orange coats who get above their station because they have a little bit of power also do nothing to help the situation. By insisting on knowing someones age sounds to me like it was the latter that wound the fella up to the point where he might have done something or said something that got him refused entry into the ground.
A friend of mine was refused entry in Reading a few seasons back. His crime, they didn't let him into Swindon for the play off game because they thought he was drunk that day. Because it was the same security company and the fact he is quite recognizable was enough ammo they needed to refuse him entry despite the game being 3 or 4 months later. I pointed out how ridiculous they were being without swearing or raising my voice and was told that I couldn't enter the ground either. We went and sat in the hotel bar and drank for the entire game. As a visiting fan do you think we are more capable of causing trouble a) in the ground with the rest of the visiting fans or b) in a home only drinking establishment??
Now, since you feel this outlook doesn't deserve respect, how would you feel if a person acting badly were seated right next to you all match?
"steward....can you please take care of this situation I'm having with an idiot next to me...."
Not too far fetched, that.
I gave up going to Withdean because I seemed to be sat next to a complete buffoon every week. People swear, it's a football match not the ballet. People want to sing, shout and abuse people, it's what football is about.
I've got no interest in any of that any more, but I wouldn't start moaning like a little bitch if someone called the referee/player/manager/chairman a **** or similar. They paid their money they are entitled to their opinion as much as I am.