Academy player dies

[John 3:16]

I was shocked by the lack of respect from some of our players today. At kick-off I counted 4 who did not have the black arm-band on, and when the 1st goal went in 2 more took theirs off.

The Southampton players, to a man (including subs) all had black arm-bands on. Thank you to them. The Reading 6, you should be ashamed.

[Rex]

I noticed that. Did Harps wear one on his leg?

[rfcjoe]

Twas very moving at the beginning of the game.

[John 3:16]

I noticed that. Did Harps wear one on his leg?

He only had the captains arm band on his leg. No room I suppose for the black one too And captain? That's a joke. Captain pointer maybe. Sorry, I don't want to hi-jack this thread of respect. It WAS very moving during the applause. I was sat next to 3 girls from his school.

[Readingfanman]

Which 6 players. Name and shame tbh.

[chilipepper91]

Doyle, both Hunts had then off in first half.

[RoyalBlue]

I was shocked by the lack of respect from some of our players today. At kick-off I counted 4 who did not have the black arm-band on, and when the 1st goal went in 2 more took theirs off.

The Southampton players, to a man (including subs) all had black arm-bands on. Thank you to them. The Reading 6, you should be ashamed.

It's possible that some of the arm bands might have fallen off during play but the club could have prevented that happening and ensured that all the players wore one by using a few stitches to attach an arm band to each shirt.

Praise should go to all of the Southampton players (their arm bands also looked a lot bigger than ours) and all of their supporters for the way that, without exception, they paid their respects to Stewart - they did their club proud.

Doyle, both Hunts had then off in first half.

Add to them Harper and Rosenior.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

I really dont want to come across as harsh.....but why the minutes applause instead of silence?

Something has changed since George Best and imho its all a bit mixed up as to when applause or silence

//That said, moving and every credit to the Saints fans especially for today

[rg6royal]

Was very emotional.

[Rex]

I really dont want to come across as harsh.....but why the minutes applause instead of silence?

Something has changed since George Best and imho its all a bit mixed up as to when applause or silence

//That said, moving and every credit to the Saints fans especially for today

Requested by his parents. That must have been a hard day for them - let alone the week.
Celerbration of his life - not mournful remembrence.

[Lower Westy]

was shocked by the lack of respect from some of our players today. At kick-off I counted 4 who did not have the black arm-band on, and when the 1st goal went in 2 more took theirs off.

The Southampton players, to a man (including subs) all had black arm-bands on. Thank you to them. The Reading 6, you should be ashamed.

Have to agree with you on this one. I took my son and his friend (both school friends of Stewart's) and I struggled to explain to them why Doyle threw down his black armband within about 5 mins of the game starting. We sit very close to the home bench and a couple of times Ron Grant had to go onto the pitch to retrieve black armbands that had been discarded during the game. Strange given that all of Southampton's players managed to keep theirs on for the duration of the game. I thought it showed a complete lack of respect to Stewart's memory and feel like emailing the Club (although I know that wouldn't do any good).

[SCIAG]

I really dont want to come across as harsh.....but why the minutes applause instead of silence?

Something has changed since George Best and imho its all a bit mixed up as to when applause or silence

//That said, moving and every credit to the Saints fans especially for today

Requested by his parents. That must have been a hard day for them - let alone the week.
Celerbration of his life - not mournful remembrence.

The right decision. I didn't know Stewart well, but, as the old cliche goes, he wouldn't have wanted silence.

[S09Royal]

was shocked by the lack of respect from some of our players today. At kick-off I counted 4 who did not have the black arm-band on, and when the 1st goal went in 2 more took theirs off.

The Southampton players, to a man (including subs) all had black arm-bands on. Thank you to them. The Reading 6, you should be ashamed.

Have to agree with you on this one. I took my son and his friend (both school friends of Stewart's) and I struggled to explain to them why Doyle threw down his black armband within about 5 mins of the game starting. We sit very close to the home bench and a couple of times Ron Grant had to go onto the pitch to retrieve black armbands that had been discarded during the game. Strange given that all of Southampton's players managed to keep theirs on for the duration of the game. I thought it showed a complete lack of respect to Stewart's memory and feel like emailing the Club (although I know that wouldn't do any good).

That's exactly what i felt i should've done when i read this thread and 'biggest dissappointment' thread. Disgraceful.
Usually i'd say i'm really proud of the team, but today i couldn't be more dissappointed in every player who took off their black arm band. Because i wasn't able to attend the game, i listened to BBCRB and applauded with everyone at the Mad Stad at home. If this really did happen, no one can defend the players' actions and probably, rightfully, they deserved to lose today and, to end the rant, their attitude was completly wrong today. Can't imagine how the McEwen family must've felt.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Great applause. Well done to Saints fans as well.

[Scrappy]

Southampton earned my respect today. Their players wore black armbands (which to be fair was a suprise in itself as it wasn't their tragedy) and then wore them throughout the game. Reading players should be ashamed and I have to say, I wanted to say I've been pleased with the club's conduct this week dealing with this, and they were good, until those 6 (maybe more to be honest) threw them off. Harper has no excuse and as club captain should have made sure the others wore them. It was a shocking turn of events.

That said, it must have been very difficult for the parents, especially concidering it was at that time last week the events happened. Very moving and I'm sure there were very few dry eyes during the minute.

[OLLIE KEARNS]

14 years ago I was playing in non league football when one of our players was killed in a car crash at 21 years of age. The emotions were very similar to what we have seen this week and everyone at the club was deeply upset. At our first match after his funeral a minutes silence was held before kick off and we all wore black arm bands. Mine fell off after about 10 minutes because the tape wouldn't stick to a shirt with sweat on it.
I think what happened yesterday was simply a repeat of that and I honestly believe that not a single player at Reading that would do anything disrespectful in any way.
And further thanks to the Saints fans. You did your club proud.

[Gordons Cumming]

14 years ago I was playing in non league football when one of our players was killed in a car crash at 21 years of age. The emotions were very similar to what we have seen this week and everyone at the club was deeply upset. At our first match after his funeral a minutes silence was held before kick off and we all wore black arm bands. Mine fell off after about 10 minutes because the tape wouldn't stick to a shirt with sweat on it.
I think what happened yesterday was simply a repeat of that and I honestly believe that not a single player at Reading that would do anything disrespectful in any way.
And further thanks to the Saints fans. You did your club proud.

Voice of reason.

However, the behaviour of the Saints fans in the South stand left alot to be desired during the game.

[brendywendy]

what did they do?

[Irvinchangeyaname]

Mine fell off after about 10 minutes because the tape wouldn't stick to a shirt with sweat on it.

Certainly not an excuse our boys could use yesterday!

[John 3:16]

Doyle, both Hunts had then off in first half.

Noel had one on for the start of the game.

Doyle, SHunt, Rosenior and Harper were the 4 from the beginning, and they didn't have them on right from the start, so no excuse about falling off. Then as soon as Southampton scored you could add Ivar and Noel. Are they really that uncomfortable to wear? I know harper doesn't like wearing them which is why he has the captains band round his leg. Tbh, that's just stupid and makes the guy look like a cock. For the first time ever, his pointing just plain angered me yesterday. Give the captaincy back to Ivar please.