The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Hello
I don't want to get into a slagging match or be defensive, but just will say that I do go to games, have been to all home league matches this season and some away.
Also I was a season ticket holder for 14 years with the old team and lived through all the triumphs and disasters that came with being a loyal fan. And I didn't jump ship when Max pulled out, but stayed to the bitter end. I hope that that...... 'says it all'..?

I haven't posted for quite while but have followed the threads on the forum - have felt it was more a younger persons thing - and it looks like from the responses this post has received, I wasn't too wrong...

Back to the topic - I just felt at this particular game some of the chanting was not right and it moved me to post.

I also know that at other games there have been incidents and complaints about abuse from fellow fans that the club have tried to address.

All I ask is, if we as a club want to comply with the 'Think Before You Chant Campaign' we should either do it or pull out. Unfortunately, so far, the instigators of this campaign have not responded to this post and I wonder why that is the case. Any rule is a bad rule if you can't police it and make it stick.
Does their silence say it all..?

On a more positive note. It is wonderful to be part of the resurrection of (AFC) R&D and it is fantastic to be with the real fans who have supported the club through thick and thin - to rise again from the ashes. Having a large vocal support is like the 12th man at games and I for one appreciate that support. Just take exception to some very abusive chants.

Look forward to promotion this season - just got to keep winning our games and let the rest fall away.

See you Saturday...

Dukes wrote: All I ask is, if we as a club want to comply with the 'Think Before You Chant Campaign' we should either do it or pull out. Unfortunately, so far, the instigators of this campaign have not responded to this post and I wonder why that is the case. Any rule is a bad rule if you can't police it and make it stick.
Does their silence say it all..?

There has been plenty of work going on 'behind the scenes' on this issue.

Like many other things we don't always get to know about it until it is too late as we are doing other things on a matchday.

As I said at the last Members Forum change will come from within, if anyone feels that the 'singers' are going too far, then find a member of the board, we all have badges on and we will try and have a quiet word with the lads.

It is a learning curve and a case of understanding how certain actions impact in a smaller crowd. It's also a case of finding the right balance, of getting an atmosphere without going over the top. Saturday was a good example, a decent crowd but very little atmosphere and singing.

Thanks for the reply SouthRushden, it is good to hear that there is work going on behind the scenes and the club recognises there is an issue at times.

As regards the right balance - I have been to many, many games when there has been a great atmosphere but with little (over the top) abusive chanting, just fans getting behind the team.

I also agree it is a learning curve and we have a large following for this league. This in some ways makes it more important that we leave a good impression and are not just remembered for the revenue we bring.

SouthRushdenJFC wrote:

Dukes wrote: All I ask is, if we as a club want to comply with the 'Think Before You Chant Campaign' we should either do it or pull out. Unfortunately, so far, the instigators of this campaign have not responded to this post and I wonder why that is the case. Any rule is a bad rule if you can't police it and make it stick.
Does their silence say it all..?

There has been plenty of work going on 'behind the scenes' on this issue.

Like many other things we don't always get to know about it until it is too late as we are doing other things on a matchday.

As I said at the last Members Forum change will come from within, if anyone feels that the 'singers' are going too far, then find a member of the board, we all have badges on and we will try and have a quiet word with the lads.

It is a learning curve and a case of understanding how certain actions impact in a smaller crowd. It's also a case of finding the right balance, of getting an atmosphere without going over the top. Saturday was a good example, a decent crowd but very little atmosphere and singing.