I don't find it offensive as such, it's more a feeling of embarrassment on behalf of those who have no idea what it represents when they sing it. I would rather it wasn't sung, and wouldn't want it to be associated with Rovers, but I can't see on what grounds it could be banned.
It's probably best ignored, causing a stink about it will just drag it into a political rabbit hole on here and those that sing it will probably sing it louder if they know it's contentious.
It doesn’t offend me but then perhaps I’m not trying hard enough.
Does seem weird that it’s the U25 Burberry and Stone Island clad wannabe hooligans that sing it - perhaps Lance should pluck one of them out of the Thatchers End at half time and ask them over the mic what they are singing about. Will be more fun than birthday messages and raffle numbers!
I’m still waiting for someone to explain why a chant about a terrorist organisation who were at war with the UK until quite recently is offensive.
It’s not my song, I don’t sing it. I do need to know if I’m asked to endorse grabbing people by their arms and legs and throwing them out of public events for speech, why this is necessary.
I’d imagine the Irish would have right to be more watered off, given the blood spilled and murders at a sport stadium but you will not stop people hating on each other
I can't usually be arsed to get involved with the controversial stuff on here, but after recently retiring as a deputy head of a secondary school in Portsmouth I have first hand experience of this. A bunch of lads, 15 and 16 had taken to singing this song in the playground. At Pompey the last line is " f--- the Pope and the IRA." As do Glasgow Rangers. I asked these lads what they knew about Irish history and politics. Nothing of course. However many were from naval families and the IRA were just on their list of historical enemies. I explained that from my point of view the IRA had (from their perspective) legitimate and honourable intentions from the 1920s, but by the 1970s had turned into a bunch of gangsters blowing up teenagers in pubs. They stopped singing it in school, but probably still sing it at Pompey. At least they know why.....
I don't much like the one about dead City fans.
Sorry, a lot of this is probably boring but it did touch a nerve.
The Good Friday Agreement was signed before many of the "singers" of that "song" were born. It's often prefaced or followed with a seemingly catch all, "no surrender". Given that the Agreement involved all sides surrendering their absolutist claims, singing those words is churlish and their meaning is redundant.
Before anyone accuses me of pro-IRA sympathies, you couldn't be further from the truth. I think they were and are (including Adams, McGuinness and others) gangster scum. That feeling applies to the UDA/UFF/INLA and all other NI "freedom fighters".
It depends what you find offensive, but there is pretty universal agreement that songs about black people or Jews are now considered offensive. And indeed a song about dislike of German people would be too. So why is a song that calls out dislike of an Irish republican group we (the UK) have been at peace with for over 25 years still ok if indeed it ever was at a football match? At best it’s childish, naive and irrelevant to our world today. I believe fans of other clubs used to sing similar, think we may be a dying minority for good reason. Time it was put to bed
The Good Friday Agreement was signed before many of the "singers" of that "song" were born. It's often prefaced or followed with a seemingly catch all, "no surrender". Given that the Agreement involved all sides surrendering their absolutist claims, singing those words is churlish and their meaning is redundant.
Before anyone accuses me of pro-IRA sympathies, you couldn't be further from the truth. I think they were and are (including Adams, McGuinness and others) gangster scum. That feeling applies to the UDA/UFF/INLA and all other NI "freedom fighters".
England play in Dublin on September 7th in the Nations league and some Irish nationalist want to use it too celebrate the death of the Queen, who’s anniversary will be September 8th. You could be hearing more of this silly song not less.
It depends what you find offensive, but there is pretty universal agreement that songs about black people or Jews are now considered offensive. And indeed a song about dislike of German people would be too. So why is a song that calls out dislike of an Irish republican group we (the UK) have been at peace with for over 25 years still ok if indeed it ever was at a football match? At best it’s childish, naive and irrelevant to our world today. I believe fans of other clubs used to sing similar, think we may be a dying minority for good reason. Time it was put to bed
Racism and anti-Semitism isn't just considered offensive, it will get you banned from grounds and so it should. The song is outdated and ignorant, but what can the club do about it ? You can't eject people for being ignorant bores.
If enough fans object to it, calling out those that sing it might work but could also create trouble in the Thatchers.
It's not a problem unique to Rovers, other fans sing it still too but also have bigger issues with racism and anti-Semitism not to mention other grim songs related to tragedies.
England play in Dublin on September 7th in the Nations league and some Irish nationalist want to use it too celebrate the death of the Queen, who’s anniversary will be September 8th. You could be hearing more of this silly song not less.
England play in Dublin on September 7th in the Nations league and some Irish nationalist want to use it too celebrate the death of the Queen, who’s anniversary will be September 8th. You could be hearing more of this silly song not less.
The Gardai won't be looking forward to that day.
Still, it's 2024 and some people have grown up.
No doubt the England fans will have their vile songbook out that day too.
And as for the morons in the South Stand who sparked up with ‘the only good city fan etc’ directly after the very respectful 2 minutes applause for the two lads who were murdered, quite unbelievable.
Maybe it should be... the only tune I can play is f*ck the city and the snake *Judas*, all hate city, all hate city...
And that's another one, why hate anything, even City?
I don't get it, it's just football
I have good friends who are City fans, yes we have a laugh at each other's expense, sometimes laugh at ourselves, but always know where to draw the line.
Within minutes of us relegated to the conference the first text I got was from a City fans expressing his genuine disappoint for me. Within seconds of Mansell banging in that penalty at Wembley, it has the same City fan first to say how pleased he was.
I don't hate City, they are another club that's all. I'm just a Gashead.
And as for the morons in the South Stand who sparked up with ‘the only good city fan etc’ directly after the very respectful 2 minutes applause for the two lads who were murdered, quite unbelievable.
And as for the morons in the South Stand who sparked up with ‘the only good city fan etc’ directly after the very respectful 2 minutes applause for the two lads who were murdered, quite unbelievable.
Agree. My son and I looked at each other in utter disbelief when that started up. Really have to wonder what, if anything, goes on in some peoples heads.