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15 05 2008

Last Night

Posted by Alan in Miscellaneous

So, I remember talking to some friends yesterday during the day regarding my fears for the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester.

I knew that Rangers fans were descending en masse, and most of who had been drinking since the Tuesday.   I pointed out that I hoped things went smoothly, as the scope for things to kick off was quite high.

So I was really sorry to see the news today that things had infact, gone sour and Rangers fans had spent the night trashing as much of Manchester as they could get their hands on :(

For the record, I’m no football fan.   Partly because I’m a geek by trade, so me and sports have never mixed well.   But also because of my upbringing in Glasgow.  The biggotry and general unpleasantness that goes alongside football in this city is hard to avoid, and its put me off the game almost completely.

Still, it always made me happy when I saw Scottish fans at international matches, having a great time, and being well-liked by the locals.

Last night however was a disgrace.   Watching the news, with the mobs chasing down police officers has made me ashamed to be associated with these people, by virtue of where I’m from.    There’s no doubt in my mind that what they did has damaged Glagow, Scottish Football, and Scotland itself.

(As a side note, I should clarify by saying that I’m not trying to tar all Rangers fans with the same brush. I’m aware that the people instigating this were probably wearing a Rangers top for the first time in their lives, and many fans were there and had a great time without rioting. However there’s no doubt as to how this looked for the Rangers fans).

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 20:27 and is filed under Miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Last Night”
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  1. Pie Man 70 says:
    May 19, 2008 at 12:01

    I wouldn’t say the 200odd who rioted were “In rangers tops for the first time” as both thems of the old firm have often been a little too hesetant of banning their nastyer side when the football is lacklusture and gate takings are down. (Why they don’t ban everyone who carries an ulster flag in for starters is beyond me) ANd as I’ve said elsewhere the next worse things are the whining of the fans about teh failed screen. Manchester initially told everyone without a ticket to stay at home. so you weren’t invited but came anyway and complain that the city did not welcome you with open arms.

  2. Alan says:
    May 19, 2008 at 12:29

    I imagine there was an element of people who were there for a fight, who probably kicked things off, but sadly there will have been a lot of boozed up Rangers fans who were probably happy to go along with it.

    It is a shame though, as its the true, non-rioting, football fans who’ll invariably suffer from this.

    I agree about the whining about the TV as well. Don’t get me wrong, I do get that after waiting all day to see the match, it would’ve been a bitter dissappointment, but the comments on the BBC website would’ve made most ranting comicbook fanboys proud.

    My favourite comment being the one about them turning off the TV on purpose. Because I imagine most councils will look at the thousands of football fans, most of whom have been drinking solidly for the whole day, and say “You know what would be really funny?”

  3. Pie Man 70 says:
    May 19, 2008 at 13:10

    Actually I would, but yes, much whining and “Its not our fault”

    Here’s a thought, and if I’d had the Armed response unit with me I’d have happily stood up and said this (While instructing the firearms boys t take potshots at anything thrown at me, just to make teh point and its good target practice) “You know, if you’d all stayed at home, like we asked you to, you could have seen the whole thing. As you’re acting up, release the Hounds”

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