28 Nov 05
Originally posted by huckleberryhoundThat was recently, and I didn't hear anything about it, and I'm a Dub. Very sad, if that's true- do you have any links to show me the report?
dont want to touch this with a bargepole, but last time glentorran came down to dublin to play shelbourne (i think that were the teams??), the fans were attacked in a bar by locals. . .
Lets not be one sided about this. no offence mate
Anyway, a couple of thugs shouldn't be allowed to rule the roost, on any side.
28 Nov 05
Originally posted by demonseedHere's a report on fans at a game that my friend was at...
I don't think I would want to go Crusaders - Cliftonville game even now!
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RIVAL soccer fans from the loyalist Belfast club Linfield FC and Longford Town taunted each other in Longford last night.
Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the late Pope John Paul II but there was no minute's silence because of fears that it wouldn't command total observance from the 650 Linfield supporters who travelled to the Midlands.
The fans, mainly from loyalist areas of Belfast, travelled in a convoy of buses to Longford for the Setanta Cup tie and, apart from chants of 'God Save the Queen' and a few bars of 'The Sash', most were well behaved.
The pre-match build-up concentrated on security issues but a massive operation which involved around 75 gardai, the Garda horse and dog units and a spotter plane as well as members of the FAI, Longford and Linfield security teams ensured the game passed off safely.
About 2,000 Longford supporters turned up for the match, and most chose to ignore the occasional taunts of "Fenian scum" and "f*** the Pope".
Some Linfield supporters wore the Rangers' jerseys, and a number also carried Union Jacks and St George's Cross flags.
The smaller Linfield support, mainly male, was far more vocal than the home support, which was a mix of families, although the home crowd erupted after just five minutes when the first goal was scored.
The Belfast brigade were silenced again in first half injury time when Longford scored again, although the silence didn't last long.
There was an air of nervousness among FAI officials and gardai prior to the match. The event was an all-ticket affair and no tickets were available at the ground for security reasons.
Some buses carrying Linfield supporters stopped in Longford town prior to the match and supporters visited a number of pubs, although there were no reports of any trouble.
There was a heavy Garda presence and the garda mounted unit as well as garda sniffer dogs patrolled outside the ground prior to kick-off.
Inside, more than 100 gardai and stewards kept the fans were kept separated.
Stewards from Belfast also travelled to Longford to help police the Northern Irish support. The Belfast fans also had their own entrance and car park.
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D
28 Nov 05
1 edit
It's a nice idea, in theory...
However, there is simply too much sectarianism in the lay community for it to pass through without incident...one has to look at the recent barracking of Neil Lennon to see that.
However, on the side, could anyone seriously see a Nationalist treat Windsor Park as a viable "home" ground? Also, there would doubtless be protests from the Unionist side should the fixture be played in Dublin...
In addition, the name of the team could prove problematic...many in the North polarise their Nationality as either "Irish" or "British", so I can't see a team name that drops/incorporates said identity being accepted
EDIT: Also a Lisburn Distillery man by geography... 😞
28 Nov 05
1 edit
Originally posted by Bobson 94I used to live near Windsor park when a few guys approached us one morning demanding 'fenian tax.'
It's a nice idea, in theory...
However, there is simply too much sectarianism in the lay community for it to pass through without incident...one has to look at the recent barracking of Neil Lennon to see that.
However, on the side, could anyone seriously see a Nationalist treat Windsor Park as a viable "home" ground? Also, there would doubtless ...[text shortened]... or "British", so I can't see a team name that drops/incorporates said identity being accepted
Needless to say we moved quite quickly after that, as we were wimpy students who immediately bricked it.
28 Nov 05
did anyone see gerry adams on tv before the northern ireland-england game?
the news reporter was asking him if he was going to support northern ireland at the weekend. . . the best they got was that he would support anyone who was playing against england.
there arent that many good players from the north anyway
28 Nov 05
Originally posted by RagnorakWhat a lively bunch of true football fans!
Here's a report on fans at a game that my friend was at...
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RIVAL soccer fans from the loyalist Belfast club Linfield FC and Longford Town taunted each other in Longford last night.
Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the late Pope John Paul II but there was no minute's silence because of fears that it wouldn't command total obse ...[text shortened]... the Northern Irish support. The Belfast fans also had their own entrance and car park.
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D
Is that an argument that we couldn't form a United team? I really think such bigotry would disappear pretty quickly if we managed it.
28 Nov 05
Originally posted by huckleberryhoundNot like the glory days of the early '80s.
did anyone see gerry adams on tv before the northern ireland-england game?
the news reporter was asking him if he was going to support northern ireland at the weekend. . . the best they got was that he would support anyone who was playing against england.
there arent that many good players from the north anyway
But Northern Irish fans don't go on about it.
28 Nov 05
Originally posted by sjegsomeone once said that "if god didnt exist, it would be in mans nature to invent one". I think what he meant to say was "it is in mans nature to fight, and a god is as good a reason as any". . .sorry if that sounded a bit naff😕
What a lively bunch of true football fans!
Is that an argument that we couldn't form a United team? I really think such bigotry would disappear pretty quickly if we managed it.