The Fickle Fans of Football

[Vic Jefferies]

THE FICKLE FANS OF FOOTBALL

They clapped him and they cheered him;
they booed him and they jeered him
And treated him in a way
he never thought they would.

They accused him and abused him
and thoroughly misused him -
That’s how they broke the heart
of the champion Adam Goodes.

[Bob Pacey]

They screamed at Wally Lewis
and he took it on the chin.
The boos made him play harder
increased his urge to win.

Inglis did the goanna and
the crowd let out a cheer.
They all called Bird a grub
and it went out the other ear.

Australians hate tall poppies
no mater what their creed.
If you intimidate the crowd
that's when you plant the seed.

It's not what you do that sparks it
it's the impression that you leave..
If you want the crowds respect
wear you heart upon your sleeve.

Be proud of who you are
stand up for your race.
Just play the game as best you can
but don't shove it in their face.

[Maureen K Clifford]

But why Bob should our players or any aboriginal person or person of a different race have to accept racial vilification, and cop it sweet to be thought a good bloke? It's not right, it's not fair and it is a bloody childish attitude for people to take. It smacks of superiority and no one is superior to anyone., and god knows with the origins of our country none here should feel they are.

I like your poem Vic. Every person has feelings and sensitivities - even those footballers, rough and tough though they be.

[Bob Pacey]

Never said anything about racial vilification Maureen That may have been the case the first time but to carry on and on and on and on about it has obviously got up some peoples noses.

As I said it is not what you do but the way that you do it and I believe that the subsequent booing has a lot to do with the person and not the colour of his skin.

So if he takes the field and there is silence ? what would happen then. The fans are on a shot to nothing no matter what they do.

Oh you mentioned thinking you are superior well that's the impression I get of Goodes.


Just suck it up princess and get on with playing the game.

Bob

[keats]

Good on ha Bob. You summed it up. And it has nothing to do with race. I know the bloke and he is a stager and that is it. Nothing to do with race. Same booing that whiteman Dermot Brereton copped during his career. Rob is Muir copped it too. He was black but he copped for being a vicious mongrel. One writes their own story. Goodes wrote his early and nothing to do with race. The racists just jumped on board as they saw an opportunity. So sick of hearing this racial
Slant.

[r.magnay]

You are on the money Bob!...I can never work out how this was meant to be racist, I thought we all belong to the same race....human.

[Vic Jefferies]

Thank you Maureen. It is not really a poem just a thought that sprang from nowhere. Seems to me we all need to take a deep breath and think about what has been going on. I am not sure why Goodes has been booed but I doubt it has anything to do with the colour of his skin. There are numerous indigenous sports people in this country but he is the only one to be treated in such a fashion. I think perhaps we might look at what else might have moved the crowds to behave in such a way.
Even so, if Goodes had responded to the abuse with a deal more decorum and strength of character I suspect he would have shown his detractors up and won the day. Nobody respects those who complain in such situations. You just suck it up, get on with it and show that you are a better man than those who would denigrate you. You cannot demand respect...you can only earn it.

[Maureen K Clifford]

I agree with you to a degree Vic - but the other side of the coin could be that he perceived it as a racial issue - whether it was meant that way or not I don't know, I only related to the hurt he felt.

Many moons ago there was an issue with a bloke I knew who had a drinking problem - his father was an alcoholic, and his whole family had drinking issues - he however laughed it off and couldn't understand what the fuss was about, but it was effecting my life, our life together, and our families. I well remember the Doctor saying to him - 'While you don't think it is an issue - when if effects others, it is - So therefore you need to address the problem and you need to deal with it.'

That being said - perhaps the public in light of the publicity this has received, should take it on board and show better manners and consideration towards all people. Other peoples actions are often the cause of re-actions that have disastrous results.