Up, Up and Away With the Bluebirds!

[Kent Seagull]

Surely wouldn't be allowed to fly very low would it? I may be wrong but I thought all aircraft were supposed to fly at at least 500 feet over built up areas. The view from 500 feet would be crap, pretty much like the Hove end at Withdean!

The decision by Wolves is pretty crap though, once again the majority of genuine law abiding fans hae to suffer because of a few twats.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

The decision by Wolves is pretty crap though, once again the majority of genuine law abiding fans have to suffer because of a few twats.

Indeed.

The BBC report painted an inaccurate picture as usual. It said:

"Two police officers were taken to hospital and 17 people arrested by West Midlands Police for disturbances inside and outside Molineux at the last match in March."

The report fails to mention that a number of fans were also taken to hospital as a result of the ridiculous over-reaction by the WMP to what was a minor disturbance. It also fails to mention that some of the seventeen people arrested were Wolves fans, and only one Cardiff supporter was eventually convicted of an offence (the guy who was caught on camera throwing a pie!). The rest were either released without charge on the day of the game or had their charges dropped at a later date.

The ban really is appalling and apparently it is Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, rather than the West Midlands Police, who are behind it. The Football Supporters Association have helped to organise the protest in Wolverhampton on the Saturday morning, and it is being backed by the Wolves Supporters Club, who are sending their representatives along. Apparently, fans from other clubs are set to turn up too.

Meanwhile, unless I can come up with a valid excuse, I'll be one of the fools who will be floating around the Midlands in a blimp. Can't say I'm looking forward to it, but it will be good publicity.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Very novel

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

Airship press release:

FLYING WITH WOLVES

It started as a madcap idea, but now it looks like it’s happening – a small group of Cardiff City fans will literally be taking to the air on Saturday, January 20th to show support to their team in their Championship match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As is well known by now, Wolves’ board, on the advice of the West Midlands Police, are banning all Cardiff fans from attending the match on January 20th due to “a history of past violence at the fixture”.

Last year, 17 people were arrested at the game and Cardiff City FC was charged by the FAW for failing to control their fans. This, it would appear, is what the decision to ban Cardiff fans has been based upon. However, what most of the media fail to report is:

1. Of the 17 arrests, not all were Cardiff fans

2. Subsequently, only 1 charge was bought against those 17 arrests

3. The FAW, after lengthy deliberation, dropped all charges against the football club, saying there was no case against them.

Therefore, what is the justification, on these facts, to ban Cardiff fans from attending the game on the 20th?

Naturally, Cardiff City fans are aggrieved at this perceived injustice – but now, the Football Supporters Federation, a non-partisan, voluntary body representing the interests of all football fans, have organized a peaceful protest in Wolverhampton on the morning of the game – fans from all across the UK, representing the majority of football clubs, have supported the cause. They believe that the ban imposed on Cardiff fans sets a very dangerous precedent that could have all sorts of negative implications for football fans all across the UK.

So why are a small bunch of Cardiff fans sidestepping the ban by taking to the air? Some view it as just a bit of a laugh, or an empty gesture to protest in this way. A little bit of hot air, if you will!

In reality, there is a little more substance to the event. This novel way of supporting the team will have some practical implications, as it will hopefully raise the profile of the injustice of the ban, and encourage all of the concerned parties to find more constructive ways forward in the future.

Cardiff City supporters groups have already proved that dialogue with opposing clubs, police and football authorities over the years has had a tremendously positive effect on the amount of trouble and subsequent arrests made around football matches. Indeed, Cardiff’s approach is now being used as a model on a much broader scale.

There is no argument whatsoever between the Cardiff fans taking part in this protest and the Wolves fans or players – indeed, the Wolves fan groups have been the most supportive of all to the protest taking place on the 20th.

Fans simply don't want to attend matches with no opposition fans to sing to, shout at and have some friendly banter with – as well as enjoying a drink and a chat with them before and after games. So the appearance of the airship whilst the match is on will give the Wolves fans an opportunity to have something to direct their passions towards – it will hopefully help in a very small way to make the occasion a little more memorable for them!

These are just some of the reasons why a handful of Cardiff fans will be flying the flag over Wolverhampton on January 20th.

 

[London Irish]

The Football Supporters Association have helped to organise the protest in Wolverhampton on the Saturday morning, and it is being backed by the Wolves Supporters Club, who are sending their representatives along. Apparently, fans from other clubs are set to turn up too.

That sound suspiciously "Fans United" to me

 

[Yorkie]

One Cardiff fan was prosecuted after last year's game at Wolves. He was fined for throwing a pie.

I remember German Shepherd posted here about that match and said how ott the West Midlands police were at the time.