Linfield slam "filth" among support

**drinkfeckarse** · 19/04/2005, 2:00 PM

From eleven-a-side. Linfield slam “filth” among support

April 19, 2005

Irish League champions Linfield have launched a stinging attack on elements of their own support, condemning those fans that dragged the name of the club into the mire with racist and sectarian actions during the recent Setanta Cup clash with eircom League side Longford Town.

Longford won the April 4th game at Flancare Park to give themselves a chance of taking top spot in Group One in the inaugural Setanta-sponsored competition.

The midlanders will look on from afar this evening (Tuesday) as Irish League arch-rivals Linfield and Glentoran go head-to-head at Windsor Park as the group reaches the half-way stage.

And as they prepare for the game, the Linfield club moved to distance itself from the supporters who, they say, disgraced the club at Flancare.

The club’s programme notes for last weekend’s Irish League clash with Loughgall at the weekend read: “Shame on the small number of so-called supporters who travelled to Longford to display a disgusting exhibition of racial abuse, sectarianism, bigotry and an insulting of other people’s culture.

“We thought we had risen above all this filth, but evidently there is still a hard core intent on undermining the credibility of Linfield, and determined to drag us back into the dark ages.

“Against this obnoxious, nauseating and disgraceful affrontery, we praise unreservedly the 600 true fans who travelled peacefully to enjoy themselves and support the team in true tradition, only to find their peace and enjoyment invaded by behaviour more becoming of morons.”

Strong words. Great credit due to them. If only more clubs would follow their lead.

**tiktok** · 19/04/2005, 2:01 PM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

Strong words. Great credit due to them. If only more clubs would follow their lead.

Agreed.

**Éanna** · 19/04/2005, 2:56 PM

Fair play to linfield for condemning them so strongly. Anyone who's looked at the Linfield forum on the Irish league forums site will know that the majority of their fans feel the same way

**thejollyrodger** · 19/04/2005, 3:47 PM

it bodes well for a future all ireland soccer league.

fair play linfield

**Gerrit** · 19/04/2005, 4:47 PM

Nice one LFC

**Andyh** · 19/04/2005, 5:58 PM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

“Against this obnoxious, nauseating and disgraceful affrontery, we praise unreservedly the 600 true fans who travelled peacefully to enjoy themselves and support the team in true tradition, only to find their peace and enjoyment invaded by behaviour more becoming of morons.”

The only thing is lads your average person engaging in this sort of behaviour isn't the best educated, so probably would fail to even understand the programme notes if they bothered to read it.

Sad but true. It always the well behaved and decent fans that suffer...

**beautifulrock** · 19/04/2005, 8:57 PM

Well done Linfield, not sure how much it will help but at least they have drawn a line in the sand

**Fortuna1886** · 19/04/2005, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Andyh

The only thing is lads your average person engaging in this sort of behaviour isn't the best educated, so probably would fail to even understand the programme notes if they bothered to read it.

Sad but true. It always the well behaved and decent fans that suffer...

The chances are they dont even attend more than 2-3 big games a season.

**pete** · 19/04/2005, 10:46 PM

Fair dues for Linfield Statement - certainly doesn't pull any punches.

I've been really impressed with Linfield manager interviews after Setanta Cup games - his comments on Longford were really gracious so top marks.

Linfield appear to be a big fish in a small pond who know that their future is linked merging with slightly bigger pond.

**Longfordian** · 20/04/2005, 12:23 AM

Must again say how well Linfield's manager David Jeffrey came across on TV tonight..not just because of his obvious knowledge in describing us as 'a cracking side'

but because he genuinely seems to love his football and that's what we all feel otherwise why would we bother?.

**JC_GUFC** · 25/04/2005, 8:54 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Linfield appear to be a big fish in a small pond who know that their future is linked merging with slightly bigger pond.

If we move back to 'winter' football it will be raining more and the pond could become a lake.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 25/04/2005, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by JC_GUFC

If we move back to 'winter' football it will be raining more and the pond could become a lake.

Summer or winter makes no odds it's always wet out west

**A face** · 25/04/2005, 11:53 PM

Linfield call for police action

Irish League side Linfield have called for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to apply the evidence rigorously in a bid to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of the crowd trouble which marred Saturday afternoon’s clash with Glentoran.

Glens won the match with a dramatic last-minute goal to leapfrog Linfield into top spot in the Daily Mirror Irish Premier League with just one round of fixtures remaining.

Read more at www.eleven-a-side.com