Setanta updates

[Risteard]

Not a lot of clubs i'd say sullanefc.
I think the thing with Shels is they definitely do have a scum element. The good thing is that there's only about 5 to 7 of them as far as i can tell, not even a minority.
An illegitimate handful of half-wits who can't even succeed in bringing shame on a football club.
The club(minus Ollie) and the proper Shels fans (most decent bunch of dub fans) should easily be able to get rid if they act anytime soon.

[Roverstillidie]

Great contribution there, you must be so proud of that post.

its a fair point. jeffries was quick to repeat the (incorrect) oilies allegation that rovers fans were involved in trouble and didnt retract it.

now we have racist chants from linfield fans and a charge from the new shelbourne firm and not a peep from either of them. we are entitled to feel picked on here.

i agree with you re junkies comments though. utter crap.

[A face]

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[Not Brazil]

Linfield Football Club have issued the following statement this evening, following a Board meeting last night.

The following is a statement from Linfield Football Club.

SHUN THESE OUTCASTS

A small number of spectators sullied the name of the Alex Russell stand and that of Linfield Football Club by their sectarian and at times racist chanting during the Setanta game against Shelbourne.

This was highly offensive to players, staff, management committee and all real supporters of the game from both clubs.

It cannot and will not be tolerated. LFC has set up a working party to identify and exclude from the Park these outcasts with limited minds who bring their own agenda to some games.

The vast majority of our supporters are to be congratulated for coming on such a wild evening and giving ‘the 12th man’ support on an otherwise great night. We deserve better, and none more so than our outstanding team, than these pathetic morons who debase everyone.

We emphasise in the strongest possible terms that this type of appalling behaviour from a certain small crowd sector will not be tolerated at the club under any circumstance.

End Of Statement.
There is no quick fix, but I believe that dedicated people within the Club will work to the bone to ensure that this cancer within our fanbase does not kill us, or make us the footballing lepers of this island.

[A face]

There is no quick fix, but I believe that dedicated people within the Club will work to the bone to ensure that this cancer within our fanbase does not kill us, or make us the footballing lepers of this island.

Fair play is all i can say .... i wish clubs down here were as authoritative and out spoken as that. No mincing of words and making it clear in no uncertain terms that they wish to eradicate the problem. You cant really ask anymore of them at this stage.

[Speranza]

Superb response from the Linfield board. Was to be expected after their arguably groundbreaking decision to put black armbands on the players kits after the popes death in Longford last year.

The issue here is with the moderate fans who still think songs with apparent sectarian undertones are harmless.

[Lux Interior]

The Setanta Cup has been an absolute trawl through the nadir for Glentoran FC since (luckily, IMO) seeing of Longford in last year's opener.

Internal wrangling at the club, shamateur performances from Board members, one manager out, a novice in, players coming to the end of their career, players injured and the support haemorraging alarmingly. Add in four serious spankings over the course of our seven games (in the Setanta) and it's clear the club and fans are deep in freefall. Just a serious going over to look forward to in the Irish Cup Final.

Having said that, it's been perversely enjoyable. The chance to test our mettle against the very best, to see new grounds, drink with new fans but unfortunately for us on a playing note - and the competition - we've entered this three years too late. We're still a big, big player in Irish football but the abject pub football on display (from us) have made us a laughing stock.

Indeed, you're probably wondering what all the fuss was about:(

[CollegeTillIDie]

The Setanta Cup has been an absolute trawl through the nadir for Glentoran FC since (luckily, IMO) seeing of Longford in last year's opener.

Internal wrangling at the club, shamateur performances from Board members, one manager out, a novice in, players coming to the end of their career, players injured and the support haemorraging alarmingly. Add in four serious spankings over the course of our seven games (in the Setanta) and it's clear the club and fans are deep in freefall. Just a serious going over to look forward to in the Irish Cup Final.

Having said that, it's been perversely enjoyable. The chance to test our mettle against the very best, to see new grounds, drink with new fans but unfortunately for us on a playing note - and the competition - we've entered this three years too late. We're still a big, big player in Irish football but the abject pub football on display (from us) have made us a laughing stock.

Indeed, you're probably wondering what all the fuss was about:(

Lux

Football is often a cyclical thing with teams. And the darkest hour is just before dawn

[CollegeTillIDie]

Kudos to the Linfield board!

[David]

Superb response from the Linfield board. Was to be expected after their arguably groundbreaking decision to put black armbands on the players kits after the popes death in Longford last year.

The issue here is with the moderate fans who still think songs with apparent sectarian undertones are harmless.

Anything with sectarian undertones is far from harmless, the problem seems to be peoples definition of sectarian. What are the sectarian lyrics in Rule Britannia, GSTQ or the Sash? I and others have worked very hard to try and eradicate the sectarian stuff at Linfield and it is something that the club take very seriously. My personal choice would be that the above songs would not be sang at Linfield matches but to brand them as sectarian is wrong and in one case this was even accepted in a court of law.

[stickyjoe]

Have to agree I`m not sure how singing a national anthem is sectarian or rule britannia.

However I don`t think its helping anything by singing these songs and personally I dont see their relation to a game of football :confused: Should sing a few original songs if you want to steer away from the Mini Rangers stereotype

On the football, I dont think Linfield have half as much credit as they deserve for their performances in last years and this years setanta cup. They look to me like a very good side and as good as anybody else I`ve seen so far

[BohDiddley]

Great posts Not Brazil, and a superb response from the club. Wish more down south would take that attitude. I wonder if Shelbourne are planning a similar statement/action.
Overall, Linfield have been a revelation since coming to our attention in the SSC. Good football, not afraid of Ollie's gallacticos, and not afraid to stand up to thugs who call themselves fans.

[David]

Have to agree I`m not sure how singing a national anthem is sectarian or rule britannia.

However I don`t think its helping anything by singing these songs and personally I dont see their relation to a game of football :confused: Should sing a few original songs if you want to steer away from the Mini Rangers stereotype

On the football, I dont think Linfield have half as much credit as they deserve for their performances in last years and this years setanta cup. They look to me like a very good side and as good as anybody else I`ve seen so far

I would agree totally with this. I do not see their relevance to a football match, although non football songs are sang the world over at matches but as I said, I would prefer them not to be sung.

As for your other point, I again agree totally. To be honest I was surprised when we won the Setanta last season but I feel that we have now shown that we can match the best the Eircom League has to offer. We have now played 5 games against EL clubs winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 1, not a bad record.

The attitude of some Derry City fans in particular I have found annoying on this. They are happy to pass off our success last year as a fluke but quite happy to declare that if an EL club win it this year, that is conclusive proof of the EL's superiority. If I am being honest I think that overall the EL is stronger but I do think that the clubs at the top of the EL, and particularly Linfield, are on a par with the top clubs in the EL. Maybe not the case this season with Glentoran but they are having a really awful season.

[David]

Great posts Not Brazil, and a superb response from the club. Wish more down south would take that attitude. I wonder if Shelbourne are planning a similar statement/action.
Overall, Linfield have been a revelation since coming to our attention in the SSC. Good football, not afraid of Ollie's gallacticos, and not afraid to stand up to thugs who call themselves fans.

To be honest I expected nothing else from the club, they have taken a strong stance in recent years on such things although many, including myself, would like to see a stronger one. Hopefully this is a statement of intent to take real action against a few morons who are dragging the name of our great club through the mud.

[lofty9]

David,

From a Derry fan -

I have no hesitation in saying Linfield are the biggest club in Ireland, added to that they are the holders of the 'All Ireland Cup', and on a great unbeaten run. No one thinks it is a fluke. Any team that can beat Shels home and away are a very good team. However, I was disappointed in Linfields performance on the night vs Derry, I was expecting a bit more guile from big Davy's lot and as it was our first match of the season I was expecting to get beat. I understand that most teams can have an off night, and based on this seasons results I reckon Linfield did. It did end in a draw, which was fair enough. As for the return match I know it will be really close. The Brandywell is a hard place to come and get a result, but no-one is underestimating Linfield, in fact, they are fully respected. I hope you enjoy your night at the Brandywell, if not the result:) and that you have a safe journey to and from it.

[David]

David,

From a Derry fan -

I have no hesitation in saying Linfield are the biggest club in Ireland, added to that they are the holders of the 'All Ireland Cup', and on a great unbeaten run. No one thinks it is a fluke. Any team that can beat Shels home and away are a very good team. However, I was disappointed in Linfields performance on the night vs Derry, I was expecting a bit more guile from big Davy's lot and as it was our first match of the season I was expecting to get beat. I understand that most teams can have an off night, and based on this seasons results I reckon Linfield did. It did end in a draw, which was fair enough. As for the return match I know it will be really close. The Brandywell is a hard place to come and get a result, but no-one is underestimating Linfield, in fact, they are fully respected. I hope you enjoy your night at the Brandywell, if not the result:) and that you have a safe journey to and from it.

Cheers for the sentiments. I was in no way branding all Derry fans in this way but if you check some of the other threads in this forum you will see that not all Derry City fans share your view and that annoyed me. I accept totally that we did not play well against Derry, I do think that fatigue was an issue as it was our second game in 3 days and it showed. That being said, I was very impressed with Derry and from what I have seen you are a better side than Shels are and would be my favourites at the minute for this year's Setanta. Initially I thought Shels would top the group and it would be a battle between us and yourselves for second and I therefore wanted them to take as much points of you as possible. I have now changed that opinion and I think that it could well be Derry that could top the group with us and Shels battling for second so I would love you to get a result at Tolka. To be honest I am hoping for a win against Shelbourne next week which would then give us a bit of leeway and a defeat against you would not be disastrous, although I do think we are capable of getting a result at Brandywell. It will be very hard though.