|
JEFF ON THE RANGERS-CELTIC DEBATE - THE FINAL WORD 30-6-08
Jeff's comments last month commending Rangers' fans tributes to the Celtic legend Tommy Burns has opened up a massive debate north of the border.
Here is the final word on your letters:
From: 3INAROW
Hi Jeff
Could you kindly point out to all the deluded mob that the league WAS extended due to the fact anti-football were being humped while their fans destroyed Manchester. That is all.
Jeff's reply
Straight to the point mate. I am sure you have a good point to make, even though I don't understand it. At least you will be able to keep the same email address for a few years.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Tony
The power of the internet to spread shite is unbelievable.
Wullie: MANCHESTER - the whole world saw it. Read the report, the English don't want you back ever. It's strange how you cosy up to them and they still can't stand you lot - ask Dougie Freedman's testimonial committee.
Riots in the sky! A boy having a fag in an airplane toilet caused a stooshie by Williamina the air stewardess.
The Nacho song. I've heard of it but never heard it sung so it's hardly a fans' favourite.
You're not the sharpest are you Jeff, taking any codswallop at face value? No wonder you are getting into bed with the huns next season. Are you after a wee bit of notoriety to pay the bills now the refereeing is over? You'll get it with that lot.
Rangers, no one like us and we don't care. Scratch a wee bit and you actually care too much. Try changing.
Jeff's reply
Jumping into bed? Not quite Wullie. I have been a supporter for many a long year. It is my right, just like yours, to support whoever you choose.
I am very sharp mate. I was there and cannot deny that what went on was wrong but it was reported disproportionately against the behaviour of the vast majority.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From Wicklowbhoy
Hi Jeff
First and foremost, I am a Celtic fan, a follower of football and nothing else.
As you have pointed out, we could sit here all day and argue over dodgy refs but what's the point?
Yes, BOTH sets of fans in the Glasgow derby have horrible supporters and hopefully one day we will be rid of them all.
And as for William, he has a very selective memory indeed as he does not mention the two goals Samaras had disallowed in the Aberdeen game for no apparent reason. Also, the free kick versus St Mirren was exactly that, a free kick.
I will concede I thought it was a goal kick versus Motherwell but as you said Jeff, the decisions for Rangers versus Dundee United were shocking to say the least.
Anyway, that's all for now and may the best team win next year.
P.S. It will be four in a row
Jeff's reply
Best of luck, I am looking forward to one in a row.
If only all supporters were like you. Yes be passionate but at least see that things do go both ways. Arsene Wenger and his selective eyesight has caught on with most people who have contacted me on this subject.
As you say, may the best side win.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Kieran Hughes
Jeff,
There's no point in discussing Celtic and Rangers. It will go on forever and if you put the wrong word in the wrong place you will either be a 'Fenian Bastard' or an 'Orange Bastard'.
No one will move on.
These feelings of hatred are passed on from generation to generation and I don't see them going away.
Over the years I have heard stories from my father that things have improved a great deal within Scottish society as a whole (Catholics getting jobs in places where they were prejudiced against previously etc) however the Celtic v Rangers matches (note I am not attaching Celtic to the 'Old Firm' tag) are one of the few places where people can vent their fury of living in a nation surrounded by the enemy.
I hope you will close the topic down, it will go on forever.
Regards
Kieran
Jeff's reply
You speak more sense than most. The extreme views on both sides are nothing to do with football.
I am happy to close the subject down as I agree there will never be a conclusion. Each to their own.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Kev
Be careful of posts like Albert P's as quoted below. This is a reference to the Orange Walk which runs through Glasgow on July 5th:
From Albert P
"When you come to Braehead on the 5th of July, I hope you have the time for a wee walk through Glasgow. It will be a great day as usual."
Jeff's reply
Cheers for that Kev, the only walking I plan on doing is from pub to pub.
My interest in religion is matched by my interest in politics. My interest, like yourself and probably the vast majority of people, is in football. Give me a shout if you are in Braehead.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Stephen with a ph
Say hello to three-in-a-row! SPL Champions again!!
How sweet is that and by the way nothing the scum say will change it. On the other hand, you will never wipe Manchester from the record books!!
Big Up The Losers.
Hail Hail.
Jeff's reply
I take it that you are happy that Celtic won the League and perhaps not totally disappointed that Rangers did not. See, despite being a ref I am not totally stupid!!
Enjoy your football.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
THE FINAL WORD
From: bobby67
On the Rangers-Celtic Debate (or should I say playground slanging match!).
I have to say that I find 99% of all the above responses fucking pathetic. You all sound so tedious, have you ever listened to yourselves? Why can't we own up and admit both sets of supporters can be arseholes?
But no, not you lot. It's all "you got kicked off a plane", "yeah, but you lot started a riot", "well, you lot sing sectarian songs".
Do you not see how stupid all this sounds? You never accept your own failings, it's always "but what they did was worse", "no, it wasn't what you did was worse".
I really do despair at the narrow minded, green or blue tined views that are always on display. Two wrongs don't make a right.
So what if Jeff says what he sees? I'm sure the majority of fans were well behaved. It's not a bait to us Celtic suporters to start remonstrating that "they started a riot", "they sing sectarian songs etc". He's just stating his point.
It's a sad state of affairs that we can't listen and accept what people say without trying to claim some form of injustice or that what the other side have done is far worse.
Tally up all the responses above and I'm sure it's pretty even on the amount of violence, sectarian singing, bigotry, public disorders etc from both sides. All it shows is that we should all be ashamed of the actions of certain sections of our support.
There are plenty of decent supporters of both clubs yet when one set get commended the other side starts the "yeah, but they did this, that and the next thing".
Look at the unity that surrounded Tommy Burns death. I'm not saying have a big hug and love in but it shows every now and again we can be civil at least.
I don't know why I've even bothered wasting my time writing this as it's not going to change anything.
I just felt really angry at yet another tit for tat, children's playground slanging match between Celtic and Rangers supporters.
Can't we be objective? Why can't we see that what some do on both sides is wrong and not justify it by saying, "but they did something worse" or "what about them though..."
Jeff's reply
Bobby, you say you don't know why you bothered to send this email but I am glad that you did because you really are going have the final word.
As you suggested, I started this off with an opinion and trying to give a balanced view. The whole thing has since degenerated into an "us" and "them" situation and your summary, in my humble opinion, perfectly sums up the whole attitude.
I love the rivalry, it is part of what football is about, but the bigotry and hatred takes it a little bit too far. History is in the past - let's live for the future.
On a more positive note, this debate or schoolyard slanging match, has opened up my site to many fans north of the border. I hope that some will continue to use it and ask FOOTBALL related questions.
I have an opinion and an insight into an aspect of the game that most fans do not get a chance to see into. My online Q&A sessions will start again soon and they give fans the chance to question refeeering and football topics as the new season unfolds.
I thank you for your input and if you have any interest please send me your name and address etc and I will send you a copy of my autobiography as a small token of my appreciation for what has been the most sensible input to the debate.
Enjoy the new season.
Best Wishes
Jeff
bobby67 responds
Hi Jeff,
Cheers for your reply and thanks for the comments about my posting.
I just wish more of us (Celtic and Rangers fans) could get beyond all the crap that's attached to supporting these clubs. As you say, rivalry is good and I love beating Rangers or pipping them to the title (I was, as you can imagine, a very happy and slighlty drunk man that evening).
However, it's the general lack of reason or objectivity shown by both sets of fans to the other that makes me despair and in general avoid any form of debate or discussion on the web involving either club.
I've yet to find a message board etc involving Celtic and Rangers that hasn't descended into a tit for tat slanging match (or far worse in some cases). It would be great to actually have an open, unbiased discussion with Rangers (and Celtic) supporters but I feel the world may just not be ready for such a radical idea!!
Aye, I'd gladly take a copy of your book and give it a read, cheers for the offer.
Again cheers for your positive comments about what I said and I look forward to giving my opinions and views on various other topics on your website.
All the best.
Cheers
Martin
Jeff's reply
It's in the post.
Best wishes
Jeff
Back To Articles Index
Write to Jeff and let him know what you think of current football matters...
|
|
|
|
|
