I'm sure this has been debated to death to here on here today but I am very surprised that the head of the Supporters' Club has made such a divisive statement.

I think she has hidden behind the 'racist or homophobic' chanting argument which nobody could possibly argue against the fact that it is not welcome anywhere in society.

I have never heard any racist or homophobic chanting at Portman Road, save for the odd individual who I mysteriously haven't seen again, or heard it within the away fans of ITFC.

This is aside from the Justin Fashanu song, which while in extremely bad taste isn't necessarily homophobic (he had come out and the song states he is gay, hardly a groundbreaking revelation), but this song is always quickly drowned out by other chants, as the vast majority of fans morale compasses point the misguided in the right direction.

I think it's amazing that the representative of the Supporters' Club thinks that 20,000 people from different social and economic classes and demographics are going to want the same experience from a match ay.

Some are there to let their anger out from a hard week at work and shout and take aggression out on faceless people, whether it’s the ref or the opposition players generally doesn't matter.

Some like to sit and watch the game, others like to see their mates and the football is almost an afterthought. But I guess, to generalise, the builders use far more industrial language than the barristers do.

I don't like the tone of threat that has been issued - "the club know who you are and are watching your every move" or whatever it was. If they are making racist chants then fair enough but this seems like a smokescreen to get onto people for booing at a ref's decision away at Colchester!

A large majority of the comments on the news story are crazy, comparing these guys who are a bit immature and can't really handle their two shandies they have before the game to the rioters is almost laughable. They look like a bunch of geeky school kids covered in teenage spots, not hardened criminals. People are trying to knock them but all they are trying to do is create an atmosphere, which they seem to be doing away from home especially.

Don't forget Paul Jewell and Michael Chopra came out and praised away support at end of Bristol City game, and my guess it was directed at the guys who sang from 2.15 (or earlier as that is the time when I got in ground) until after the players were back in the changing room at full-time.

A number of people seem to have a holier than thou attitude and think they are the best fan in the world, but everyone pays their money and can do what they want as long as it is legal, and if they cross or approach that line, someone needs to tell them in no uncertain terms as they are just a bunch of impressionable kids.

I think a return to unreserved seating away from home would help, that worked well at Bristol and showed flaws of ticketed seating at Colchester - but amazingly it will always be the people that are offended and moan are the ones that wouldn't possibly leave their ticketed seat even if it means they will enjoy the experience a lot more.

Overall though I would like to just state how disappointed I am that the head of Supporters' Club is hiding behind very serious and unfounded allegations, to - in my opinion - put her and her friends' point across, and not one that is necessarily representative of all Ipswich fans.

huddersfielditfc added 20:33 - Aug 12 well written and excellent point raised about seating issues.
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daniel2302 added 20:46 - Aug 12 Very well said.
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trimleysven added 20:50 - Aug 12 "isn't necessarily homophobic"?! Oh right, so the fact that the song mentions Fashanu's sexuality is just, you know, an attempt to pass on information? Do me a favour, please. This kind of prejudice needs to be challenged head on, not excused on any grounds.
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commando_north added 20:55 - Aug 12 Trimleysven - if the song stated he was black rather than gay would that make it a racist song? I don't for one second try and justify the song, was just stating that it isn't necessarily homophobic.
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trimleysven added 20:59 - Aug 12 He was a footballer. If you want to sing about him, he should be judged on his footballing ability alone. His sexuality and ethnicity shouldn't come into it.
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CL4CK! added 20:59 - Aug 12 Commando_north - Yes it would!? How many 'harmless' football chants can you name with a reference to a players race? You massive idiot.
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commando_north added 21:07 - Aug 12 I give up - read the article. I'm not trying to defend it for a second, just trying to state that people with a stronger morale compass lead those without and then that means next time they think about singing it, they'll think twice - this statement will just antagonise them to do it again as they aren't mature/intelligent enough to realise that infamy amongst fans isn't a good thing.

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olimar added 21:10 - Aug 12 "....and if they cross or approach that line, someone needs to tell them in no uncertain terms as they are just a bunch of impressionable kids." Right. So, isnt a section in the club programme, written by the person in charge of the supporters club a pretty good way to do that. And a statement by the club itself too? Or by "no uncertain terms" are you suggesting something more direct and personal? Because thats definitely an improvement isnt it....

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trimleysven added 21:13 - Aug 12 I'm sure you weren't trying to defend the song. But denying it's homophobic nature does give that impression. Sorry, but I think it's really important to challenge stuff like that, not give the perpetrators any excuse whatsoever.
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commando_north added 21:14 - Aug 12 Junior Scholes 6 - I remember a song after Darren Bent had been done for shooting a kid with a BB rifle or something that went "He's quick, he's black, he shoots kids in the back" or something similar - this wasnt seen as a racist song, it had people laughing at West Ham away. Please can you realise that by saying 'it isn't necessarily a homophobic song even though it is extremely bad taste' translates to 'I think people should get away with singing it'

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CL4CK! added 21:18 - Aug 12 Commando.. I think you'll find thats not really acceptable. Just because a few hundred football fans at an away game had a chortle at it?
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IP3 added 21:22 - Aug 12 great post. Addresses some key issues. Not sure why your referring to everyone as kids, or, that candle handle their alcohol. Whats that about?
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commando_north added 21:30 - Aug 12 IP3 - just an observation from a few of the guys who are 'the accused' that I've seen. JuniorScholes6 - I think the majority of things sang in a football ground aren't really acceptable outside of them. If I saw someone doing a slightly poor job as a traffic warden I wouldn't spend 5 minutes chanting at them that they are a w****r. I think any right minded person can see that the Fashanu song is wrong so wouldn't sing it. But the song about Park at MU, 'Park Park wherever you may be, you eat dogs in your home country' - if I were to accuse a Korean colleague of mine of eating dogs I'd be in hot water with HR - but it's as racist in the context of a football song is as the one about Bent was.

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ipswichjon added 22:00 - Aug 12 Any sexist, homophobic or racist chanting is unacceptable no matter what the context. The fact it occurs at a football match is more down to the unconstructed backward attitude that pervades football. Just think back to Andy Gray & Richard Keys to understand that the old boys club that exists and thinks sexist comments and attitudes are the norm. It doesn't matter that people laugh at something or not. All that being said the tone of the upcoming price in the program IS unnecessarily threatening "watching every move you make". It's inflammatory and perhaps misjudged as it will only cause the "minority" who do behave in this way to become more likely to act in this way so as to put two fingers up in response. A simple statement of the behaviour that is unacceptable and the possible sanctions with a guide to the standard of behaviour expected would have been a more effective response. I go to away games, I cheer and encourage and I yell at the ref/opposition but I've never felt the need to refer to anyone's race, sexual preference. Wouldn't be great if Ipswich Town fans could become known for their positive attitude, 90 minutes of cheering and encouragement.

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BOjK added 22:10 - Aug 12 " but everyone pays their money and can do what they want as long as it is legal" No. No they can't. If someone is spoiling the enjoyment of significant numbers of people the club are entirely within their rights to ask them to leave, irrespective of whether they have broken any laws.
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 22:24 - Aug 12 Why the hell anyone would want to sing derogatory songs about Justin Fashanu anyway (however interpreted) just beggars belief. Surely we all remember he pulled on the blue and white during his lifetime..?! (Accepted, a trial, but hey).
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CaughtInTheBrambles added 23:52 - Aug 12 I agree with almost all your post, aside from the Justin Fashanu song, which I find offensive and am one of the loud ones who drown it out when it starts to be sung. The rest of the post is spot on though, football supporters are a broad church. Not everyone is there for the same reasons and frustration amongst some supporters does manifest itself in different ways. But the worst aspect of Elizabeth's statement is using the term 'so called fans'. If these are 'so called fans' then arguably so are the likes of Elizabeth. Some hardcore fans heap disdain on non-singing replica shirt wearing fans as 'so called fans' as well. These fans who you refer to, misguided in some ways they may be, are as much fans as she is, and in some eyes more so. Well done for alienating not just this set of fans but others as well, the Glazers could not have done better. Maybe you want us all to sit and clap politely. If that becomes the norm at Ipswich Wither the last remnants of passion.

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fourth added 06:33 - Aug 13 Clearly the Club have had enough. Just think about it. Then act on it
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steetonblue added 08:19 - Aug 13 you ruined any valid points you may or may not have had by your comments about the Justin Fashanu song - stopped reading after that - utter utter drivel
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DrJeckyll added 10:50 - Aug 13 I was under the impression that the terms 'gay' and 'black' are perfectly acceptable terms, There are other ways to describe someone's ethnicity or sexual orientation that are definitely considered offensive, and were these terms being used I would agree with the the sentiments of Elizabeth and others, but they are not so I don't. Also there are many whinging fans who boo our own players etc and they REALLY spoil the experience of going to football for me, can we have them removed?

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SammyT added 10:51 - Aug 13 "No. No they can't. If someone is spoiling the enjoyment of significant numbers of people the club are entirely within their rights to ask them to leave, irrespective of whether they have broken any laws." - so what if "significant" numbers of fans aren't enjoying the game because of the scorn and glaring stares of others fans for singing/standing/showing passion (without any prejudice) what gives u the right to decide how people should enjoy the game? Because they don't support in the sane way as you do they shouldn't come? Smacks of discrimination to me

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SammyT added 10:56 - Aug 13 **same way
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HARRY10 added 12:09 - Aug 13 "who are a bit immature and can't really handle their two shandies they have before the game " By "can't really handle ", what do you mean ? Behaviour that they would otherwise not do ? Behaviour that might annoy others, maybe ? I note you are trying to divert this into being a question of taste over the Fashanu song, whereas for most it is the wider concern of their general behaviour. Setting off smoke bombs, lighting fires, causing damage at away grounds impacts on all fans and lord knows what else. It tars the sensible fans with the same brush and could well lead to more draconian measures taken against our fans. Who do you think pays for this damage ? Our club. We do. It is standard practice for the club of the fans responsible to cough up. You also seem to think that you can turn this into some kind of right to 'support' the club, how you wish irrespective of the imapct upon the club and the rest of us. I say support as it is support in the same way thatthe idiot swinging on the Union flag on the Cenetaph was supporting the right to preaceful protest. justin Fashanu died before most of you were born. It is embarrasing to hear you chanting about this and your continuous obssession with Norwich City. If you want to support our club then get behind OUR club - and stop kidding yourself that your moronic actions are in any way support for Ipswich Town..

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bramey_blueboi added 12:19 - Aug 13 The way I see it, is that I don't sing that particular song, not for the racial side of things or homosexuality, but because if someone made up a song about sir bobby robson, I'm sure quite a few fans would get angry about it!! But saying that, we should be allowed to sing, shout and swear if we like because a lot of you might have stressful jobs, or a bitch of a wife etc... Its the only place you can go to let off steam or shout without lookin a tit.. If we were like millwall fans I could understand your discretion, but we're not.. Its purely abit of banter between clubs.. For example "earnshaws an alien" we find it funny, but he may not because we're takin the piss out of his looks, shall we stop singing that aswell?? We're entitled to freedom of speech, but racism and homophobic comments aren't acceptable.. But anything other than that, then get behind our football club and be the twelth man again like 99/00 season.. You didn't see delia smith telling her fans to shut up, she was in the middle of the pitch tryin to rally them all together and get them singing.. Still hate the scum!!

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BlueBadger added 13:33 - Aug 13 Personally I can't see how anyone hearing a song celebrating the death of gay man could see that as homophobic...
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