Ireland Fans' Charter?

[Stuttgart88]

For a while now I've noticed an element in the Irish support that I'm not happy with. Perhaps I'm only showing my age and I'm slow to adapt to change but some kind of "Ireland Fans Charter" might spell out the essence of what many of us think it is to be an Irish fan and encouarge behaviour fitting this.

Given that Mento and the YBIG boys have made such progress with the FAI wrt the Singing Section and other aspects, I'd wonder if it'sd be a good idea to have this charter printed in the matchday programme so all the "boo the team if they're not playing well" types know where they can go with this type of carry on. I'd like the players to be aware of some parts of it too.

What do people think?

Here's a few initial ideas for starters, in no particular order.


Ireland Fans' Charter:

• Our role is to support the team and to be the team's "12th man".
• Our good name at home & abroad has taken years to acquire and may only take a moment to lose. Behaviour likely to cost us our good reputation is not acceptable to any of us.
• We may or may not have club allegiances, at home or abroad. Following Ireland has nothing to do with club football and we put aside our club allegiances while following Ireland.
• We do not favour or disfavour any player, on our team or the opposition's, on the basis of his club or club history.
• We are all in this together. Booing the players is not acceptable behaviour. Our role is to encourage and to be involved positively.
• We are not here solely to be entertained. We are playing an active role alongside the players in achieving success.
• We have our own songs and traditions. New songs are always welcome but we avoid singing songs with direct reference to political organisations.
• We are not a big country and our ambitions are realistic and modest. We only expect that the players attempt to play to their best of their abilities. We recognise that mistakes occur.
• We expect that every stakeholder in the team's progress will take all necessary steps and work hard to increase the likelihood of success.
• We expect the players to understand that playing for their country is an honour and not a chore. No player has a right to be selected.
• We expect the players to understand the expense & commitment it can take to support the team.
• We expect our media to be objective in coverage of the national team.
• We expect our media to promote coverage of the national team above coverage of UK football.

[Torn-Ado]

For a while now I've noticed an element in the Irish support that I'm not happy with. Perhaps I'm only showing may age and I'm slow to adapt to change but some kind of "Ireland Fans Charter" might spell out the essence of what many of us think it is to be an Irish fan and encouarge behaviour fitting this.

Given that Mento and the YBIG boys have made such progress with the FAI wrt the Singing Section and other aspects, I'd wonder if it'sd be a good idea to have this charter printed in the matchday programme so all the "boo the team if they're not playing well" types know where they can go with this type of carry on. I'd like the players to be aware of some parts of it too.

What do people think?

Here's a few initial ideas for starters, in no particular order.


Ireland Fans' Charter:


Our role is to support the team and to be the team's "12th man".
Our good name at home & abroad has taken years to acquire and may only take a moment to lose. Behaviour likely to cost us our good reputation is not acceptable to any of us.
We may or may not have club allegiances, at home or abroad. Following Ireland has nothing to do with club football and we put aside our club allegiances while following Ireland.
We do not favour or disfavour any player, on our team or the opposition's, on the basis of his club or club history.
We are all in this together. Booing the players is not acceptable behaviour. Our role is to encourage and to be involved positively.
We are not here solely to be entertained. We are playing an active role alongside the players in achieving success.
We are not a big country and our ambitions are realistic and modest. We only expect that the players attempt to play to their best of their abilities. We recognise that mistakes occur.
We expect that every stakeholder in the team's progress will take all necessary steps and work hard to increase the likelihood of success.
We expect the players to understand that playing for their country is an honour and not a chore. No player has a right to be selected.
We expect the players to understand the expense & commitment it can take to support the team.
We have our own songs and traditions. New songs are always welcome but we avoid singing songs with direct reference to political organisations.
We expect our media to be objective in coverage of the national team.
We expect our media to promote coverage of the national team above coverage of UK football.

Can't really disagree with anything written there.

[irishultra]

Agree 100% and also with this singing section I would support the cheering of any opposition player who is getting abuse from idiots for stupid reasons(like he played for a british soccer team)

Perhaps chanting his name? would be class i think

[Stuttgart88]

I was thinking of adding that we expect the players to respect authority, but think it might be covered in "take all necessary steps...".

Mods, for some reason I haven't been able to insert bullrt points or numbers from my laptop. Can someone edit to number or at least bullet point the items?

[Beavis]

It's great, fair play Suttgart. It has my signature:

Beavis O' Cornholio Bunghole McMurphy


I especially like the following line:
'We are not here solely to be entertained. We are playing an active role alongside the players in achieving success.'

[Mayo_Bhoy]

Cant really argue with most of this but totally unrealistic to expect fans to abide by a charter which most had nothing to do with drawing up. Good luck anyway but cant see it making an iota of difference. Just my two cents...not trying to be negative but....

[soccerc]

Cant really argue with most of this but totally unrealistic to expect fans to abide by a charter which most had nothing to do with drawing up. Good luck anyway but cant see it making an iota of difference. Just my two cents...not trying to be negative but....

Anyone with half a brain would understand that this is one persons view, it's out there for discussion and improvement.

Rather than a general criticism why can't you add or subtract from the initialpost and argue the pro's and cons instead of being so bloody negative

[SuperDub]

I totally agree as both in croke park and on away trips in recent years there has been a certain element creeping into the support that we do not need. A fans charter is certainly something that can remind us all on what kind of behaviour is expected of us as irish fans.

[Stuttgart88]

Cant really argue with most of this but totally unrealistic to expect fans to abide by a charter which most had nothing to do with drawing up. Good luck anyway but cant see it making an iota of difference. Just my two cents...not trying to be negative but....

It's not a rule book, but it might just serve to remind some what I expect the majority expects and also to give those who agree with the "principles" something to present to the "wrong element" when push comes to the shove. The purpose in my mind is to highlight the "bad" behaviour and to have something tangible to rely on. In my ideal world there'd be some kind of endorsement - FAI, YBIG, foot.ie (anything but Alan Hunter ) and I think a printed charter, standalone or in the match programme, could help.

Yes, the pouints above are my own but I freely invite anyone to argue for the removal or amendment to the list, or suggest additions. I have a very open mind & just wanted to put it out there.

[back of the net]

It's not a rule book, but it might just serve to remind some what I expect the majority expects and also to give those who agree with the "principles" something to present to the "wrong element" when push comes to the shove. The purpose in my mind is to highlight the "bad" behaviour and to have something tangible to rely on. In my ideal world there'd be some kind of endorsement - FAI, YBIG, foot.ie (anything but Alan Hunter ) and I think a printed charter, standalone or in the match programme, could help.

Yes, the pouints above are my own but I freely invite anyone to argue for the removal or amendment to the list, or suggest additions. I have a very open mind & just wanted to put it out there.

fair play lad....very good idea

after being at the game on wed and hearing the disgraceful booing at half time and also the idiots behind me in the canal end chanting andy reids name, i think your logic and charter idea is very refreshing


at the end of the day whereas we may not all agree with each others points on certain threads on the forum with rgds to the national side, We are all ireland fans at the end of the day and we all should be united in getting behind the team when they are on the pitch

its got my vote lad...good work

[Docboy]

Sorry but to me it smacks a bit of the 'Nanny State' idea, all of the ideas are valid but do you really think having something written down will alter peoples mindset? It's like life in general you just have to ignore those that you don't agree with and move on. More often than not you'll find more of the good than the bad.

[Stuttgart88]

More often than not you'll find more of the good than the bad.

I certainly agree with that in life, and most of your general point. This has been annoying me for ages and spelling it all out is a way of getting it off my chest, but as I say, they're not rules, just a way of letting the minority know what I think the majority feels.

[eirebhoy]

I certainly agree with that in life, and most of your general point. This has been annoying me for ages and spelling it all out is a way of getting it off my chest, but as I say, they're not rules, just a way of letting the minority know what I think the majority feels.

Exactly. It worked for the booing of Rangers players. Most people booing in that period didn't really think it was that big a deal. Then we had politicians come out against it and there was nothing but cheers to be heard vs Australia.

[Beal Feirste]

Terrible thread started by someone with 2 much time on their hands or someone with no friends to talk too,,,cant believe people replied agreeing with him.....GET A LIFE

[co. down green]

Terrible thread started by someone with 2 much time on their hands or someone with no friends to talk too,,,cant believe people replied agreeing with him.....GET A LIFE

I have every respect for Stuttgart88 and agree with the point of the thread. Especially regarding supporters getting behind the team, through thick and thin. ffs, i've been to many games over the last 20 years where i've been frustrated with tactics, player performances or the lack of support from the terraces. It's about supporting your country, its about making your voice heard when the lads on the pitch need a lift. Its about trying to channel your passion into the minds and hearts of the players, if they don't already know it.

How can you disagree with the 12th man concept, how can you disagree with the great work done by ybig and others in helping to inspire the boys on the pitch.

As far as i'm concerned, the boo-boys can go watch a sport that they have a genuine passion for.

[tetsujin1979]

Terrible thread started by someone with 2 much time on their hands or someone with no friends to talk too,,,cant believe people replied agreeing with him.....GET A LIFE

So when someone tries to do something positive about the atmosphere (or lack thereof) at Ireland games, this is the best you can do?? A one line response on a message board? Come back when you have a better idea, or at the very least, present an alternative solution to an obvious problem

[Stuttgart88]

Terrible thread started by someone with 2 much time on their hands or someone with no friends to talk too,,,cant believe people replied agreeing with him.....GET A LIFE

Coming from a guy who visits a web forum at 5 past midnight on a Sunday don't you think that's a bit rich?

I hope your other 25 contributions to the forum were more constructive and frankly less insulting.

[bawn79]

I think the charter is a great idea. Cant really argue against any of your points.
This should be put in every programme (at every match, it can only be in the small print after the first few games))and the YBIG magazine.

[gspain]

Agree 100% well done.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Can't do any harm and you can't disagree with any of the points made.

Comparing a 'Fan's Charter' to nanny stateism is laughable. Is there anything being suggested people refrain from on that list that the dissenters would actually like to do?

Generally over the years we've policed ourselves as a group of supporters and long may that continue. A charther such as the above is only putting what generally goes on in writing and reiterating it which is no harm.

That said, I clicked onto this thread expecting to see something about the flight to Bari!