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17 03 2006 Stand up, Sing Up
Matters have come to a head this week as yet another Chelsea fan has had his season ticket taken away from him for
persistently standing in the Matthew Harding Lower.
If it isn't Chelsea not allowing flags to hang up because they drape over a tier by three inches, then it's singling out the
odd fan in the most vociferous area of our stadium in the Matthew Harding Lower for expressing his support.
Chelsea try to defend themselves by saying it's a matter that is outside their control. I disagree. Many other clubs such
as Liverpool seem to turn a blind eye to the Kop standing for many games, and so should Chelsea. The MHL is the only
area where people stand and only JCLs know otherwise. You will find few people complaining of people standing in that
end, and those who do are normally those who don't even sing! I sympathise with kids and the elderly who may have
their views blocked - but I very rarely see the latter in the MHL and the former should be in the family section!
Chelsea stays silent in an issue that affects all of us. A few other clubs have spoken out - Crystal Palace and Charlton
for instance.
I have also been disappointed by reactions from people who are supposed to represent us on the Fans' Forum. They
toe the party line instead of trying to back the fans. Chelsea at no stage seems regretful about ejecting people for such
a minor crime.
And people who say that standing will cause another Hillsborough are mistaken. At Hillsborough there were no barriers
in the standing section - seat rows themselves nowadays act as barriers between you and the fan in front. Plus it is near
impossible for fans to try and rush into a match to get a free game!
If Chelsea really want to take this matter to extremes, then perhaps they should start banning those who stand up at half
time reading a programme. What about those who stand in the crush to get a beer at half time? Why not ban singing
then as this might cause tinnitus?
Perhaps Chelsea has an excuse to get rid of the "rabble" while they can.
Anyway, here is the original post from CFC Net.
And here is a "Yellow Card" if you are angry enough to get involved with a protest at Stamford Bridge for the game
against
West Ham. This was provided by the chaps at the "Stand Up Sit Down" site.
persistently standing in the Matthew Harding Lower.
If it isn't Chelsea not allowing flags to hang up because they drape over a tier by three inches, then it's singling out the
odd fan in the most vociferous area of our stadium in the Matthew Harding Lower for expressing his support.
Chelsea try to defend themselves by saying it's a matter that is outside their control. I disagree. Many other clubs such
as Liverpool seem to turn a blind eye to the Kop standing for many games, and so should Chelsea. The MHL is the only
area where people stand and only JCLs know otherwise. You will find few people complaining of people standing in that
end, and those who do are normally those who don't even sing! I sympathise with kids and the elderly who may have
their views blocked - but I very rarely see the latter in the MHL and the former should be in the family section!
Chelsea stays silent in an issue that affects all of us. A few other clubs have spoken out - Crystal Palace and Charlton
for instance.
I have also been disappointed by reactions from people who are supposed to represent us on the Fans' Forum. They
toe the party line instead of trying to back the fans. Chelsea at no stage seems regretful about ejecting people for such
a minor crime.
And people who say that standing will cause another Hillsborough are mistaken. At Hillsborough there were no barriers
in the standing section - seat rows themselves nowadays act as barriers between you and the fan in front. Plus it is near
impossible for fans to try and rush into a match to get a free game!
If Chelsea really want to take this matter to extremes, then perhaps they should start banning those who stand up at half
time reading a programme. What about those who stand in the crush to get a beer at half time? Why not ban singing
then as this might cause tinnitus?
Perhaps Chelsea has an excuse to get rid of the "rabble" while they can.
Anyway, here is the original post from CFC Net.
And here is a "Yellow Card" if you are angry enough to get involved with a protest at Stamford Bridge for the game
against
West Ham. This was provided by the chaps at the "Stand Up Sit Down" site.