What function does the official supporters club serve?

[Medwayseagull]

While I do not condone a witch hunt against LC and her colleagues in the Supporters Club, I do often wonder why when the press need a quote or sound bite its always them that provide it. Surely there are plenty of other supporter groups around that can express an opinion.

As far as I am concerned, LC does not speak for me on this issue.

While homophobia is a definite problem in today's society akin to racism, 'Does your boyfriend' and 'We can see you' chanted by a few hundred away supporters during a game does not offend or bother me. Who is to say whether the Albion retort 'You're to ugly to be gay' is offensive to heterosexuals in the crowd?!

On the other hand, direct verbal abuse, whether homophobic or otherwise, inside or outside a football ground or on the street, by one or two individuals or small groups does bother me, particularly where small children, women or elderly Brighton fans are present - especially if there is a risk of an escalation of violence. It is this abuse that needs to be cracked down upon and frankly, I can only think of one or two such incidents in all of my 20 plus years of following the Albion where I have felt particularly offended.

The statistics presented do not surprise me, it's all about opinion. If you are easily offended, the perceived level of abuse is going to be high. If you're thick skinned, it'll be low. So who is right?

This broadly reflects my opinion. I am not embarrassed by fellow Albion fans complaining about homophobia as is their right nor I am I personally offended by the usual juvenile chants. I am, however, offended when I read about young kids being targeted with vile comments from so called fans of other clubs. In those cases the perpetrators should take a long hard look at themselves and decide whether they wish to join the human race.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

The Supporters' Club do a great job in many aspects connected to the club, including providing a way for many to get to games who may not otherwise be able to do so. They also further the cause of Brighton & Hove Albion, and the fans, where there may be a need to do so. The Goldstone Memorial in Hove Park - the SC led the way in this. Memorial Garden at the Amex - the same. I'm sure there are numerous other examples where the SC have championed a cause and/or provided the funding required to make something happen.

Liz herself is a wonderful, wonderful person. I would imagine most who fling some virtual mud in her direction do not actually know her at all. She has tremendous energy and a great sense of humour. The number of hours she has put in to help both the Albion and those connected to the Albion must run into the many tens of thousands. She'll never ask for thanks, I'm sure, but neither does she deserve nameless no-marks having a dig.

Word.

 

[Commander]

NSC is an Internet forum populated by bell ends, trolls, planks and wronguns.

The supporters club is populated by real people on a coach who saved the club.

Wow.

 

[LE19]

More like she is out of touch of what it's like to be gay.

I know a few gay men and the last place they would go is a football ground. Maybe I'm stereotyping but sport isn't usually an area of interest for a gay man.

Are you more in touch with what it's like to be gay?

Why do you think a football ground is the last place gay men would go? Why wouldn't they be interested in sport?

 

[1901]

She should follow Dick Knight.

A total legend, but knew when it was time to pass the baton on.

 

[Hillian1]

Are you more in touch with what it's like to be gay?

Why do you think a football ground is the last place gay men would go? Why wouldn't they be interested in sport?

Gets in the way of arts and craft time innit.

 

[El Presidente]

NSC is an Internet forum populated by bell ends, trolls, planks and wronguns.

I think we need a poll for this so NSC'ers can identify which of the above categories they fall into, FWIW, I'm a wrongun.

 

[LE19]

Gets in the way of arts and craft time innit.

If you were gay, wouldn't you want to watch fit men run around in shorts?

 

[LE19]

I think we need a poll for this so NSC'ers can identify which of the above categories they fall into, FWIW, I'm a wrongun.

That's the best of that bunch!

 

[One Love]

Are you more in touch with what it's like to be gay?

Why do you think a football ground is the last place gay men would go? Why wouldn't they be interested in sport?

Just purely from speaking to a couple of gay friends. They have often said to me "Why would I want to go to the football, I'm gay!", like its an understood thing that gays aren't interested.

Sorry if my friends views are not representative of gays but they have spoken to me as though they were and they should know!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The Supporters' Club do a great job in many aspects connected to the club, including providing a way for many to get to games who may not otherwise be able to do so. They also further the cause of Brighton & Hove Albion, and the fans, where there may be a need to do so. The Goldstone Memorial in Hove Park - the SC led the way in this. Memorial Garden at the Amex - the same. I'm sure there are numerous other examples where the SC have championed a cause and/or provided the funding required to make something happen.

Liz herself is a wonderful, wonderful person. I would imagine most who fling some virtual mud in her direction do not actually know her at all. She has tremendous energy and a great sense of humour. The number of hours she has put in to help both the Albion and those connected to the Albion must run into the many tens of thousands. She'll never ask for thanks, I'm sure, but neither does she deserve nameless no-marks having a dig.

A journalist looking for a quote on an issue to do with Albion fans is likely to contact BHASC, it's the logical thing to do.

I don't agree with a lot of Liz's views, but she is as entitled to voice them as much as anyone else.

This (these)

 

[LE19]

Just purely from speaking to a couple of gay friends. They have often said to me "Why would I want to go to the football, I'm gay!", like its an understood thing that gays aren't interested.

Sorry if my friends views are not representative of gays but they have spoken to me as though they were and they should know!

So, would you expect two of your non-gay friends to be representative of the non-gay community?

 

[One Love]

So, would you expect two of your non-gay friends to be representative of the non-gay community?

I can see what your getting at and maybe your right.

However they gave me the impression that it was well-known in gay circles that gay men are not into going to sporting events. Not being gay myself I didn't question this and took it to be a given as they should know what they are talking about. Maybe the gay community that they socialise in is not representative of the total gay community.

You obviously disagree with this and have found some offence somehow in this. So can you give your opinion?

 

[LE19]

I'm not offended, and there is no right/wrong answer, except that two people aren't representative of any group - that's basic stereotyping. But I am curious to know whether they just aren't interested in sport (my wife isn't), or whether they are worried about the homophobic chanting which is known to exist at football matches. I know an Asian chap that loves football, but doesn't go to matches because of fear of racism. It shouldn't be like that.

 

[One Love]

I said in my original post "Maybe I'm stereotyping" so I was well aware of that.

My point was the two people weren't just voicing their personal interests, they were expressing that these interests were shared by most members of the gay community.

I have asked one of them now what he thinks about all this and these are points he made.

In his experience there are gay men who play football and are interested in football but there is a significant less proportion than in the straight man community (??).

He thinks what put gay men off from going to football matches is more likely to be the aggressive tribal behaviour of supporters in general.

He would not be offended by homophobic chants as he is well aware that it is joking exchanges between rivals and is not a personal slur against his sexuality.

He has seen on the news the recent complaint and in his opinion it can only do more harm than good as something that was before just a bit of a joke has now been transformed into serious homophobia.

 

[storer]

The latest quotes from Chairman Liz, makes me question what is the function of the supporters club

Sure they arrange coach travel to away games, and yes they did their bit during the "troubles"......but there again many of us did protest, boycott, march etc

I suggest they stick to organising travel, and stop embarrassing the club out in the greater football world...it's banter!....and now we look like whining saddo's

How LC can make these claims, supposedly speaking for the fans.....yet its based upon a membership of 2% of the home fans at the Amex, the supporters club are a total joke. I cringed many times today hearing the headlines on several radio and TV stations
She certainly doesn't speak for me, or many others

Time for a muzzle Liz

couldnt agree more.

Had she gone to get her coach at the Palace game and missed the whole North stand singing 'We just ****ed you up the arse'...it swings in round abouts