BFTG -Crawley

[paultheroyal]

I was in the area with the people everyone is talking about. Didn't hear one bit of racial abuse towards anyone, except a lad saying that the steward looked like Abu Hamza. He was speaking to a friend (i assume) and that's not a racist comment. Its like saying I look like Peter Kay!

The fight was some pi55ed up older bloke giving it large to some younger guys down the front, younger guys stood up so the old guy had a swing for one of them at which point said younger folks friends came over to their protection. Hardly World War 3.

Think people need to stop making a mountain out of a molehill. I highly doubt any of you accusing were actually round that side to see it first hand but doesn't that bandwagon look awfully comfortable to jump on?

Well, you were not where I was then!!

I'm glad. You're making it out to sound like Helmand Province cos there were some advertising boards being dislodged.

Now you are just being ridiculous. Hoardings removed and then launched backwards into your own fans, injuring one, lucky it was not more is more than "dislodged".

It's Crawley for oxf*rd sake! Will they try that at West Ham or Millwall? Enough said!

[winchester_royal]

1. Do you know what 'among' actually means? I'm not suggesting for a moment that 'w*nker' is a racist term.
2. Comparing someone to a terrorist is a long way from being compared to a widely popular comedian.
3. Fair enough.

My point was they said he looked like him, from where i stood i could see the resemblance. I have no doubt the chap is a nice guy, and nothing like him but its an unfortunate likeliness. I hope no one was calling him anything else but i wouldn't rule it out unfortunately.

I just think the person i heard wasn't saying it in a nasty way and was saying he just looked like him. Whether its a terrorist or a comedian i'm not sure why you should be restricted from comparing people who look a little bit alike?

I agree as long as the comparison isn't shouted towards him in an aggressive way, and tbf he did look like him, but those aren't the racist comments I was referring to. There were plenty of 'paki' shouts thrown in his direction.

[paultheroyal]

It was not just that but I thought treatment of subs warming up was embarrassing particularly aimed at Guthrie and worse Ugwu.

On a separate note, bloke to my right got the glare from us when ripping into Cummings when he had the ball on right hand side screaming abuse at him. Cummings had no options available to him. Kept hold of the ball well, cut into the middle and his skill led to the move which setup the second goal!

[winchester_royal]

I was in the area with the people everyone is talking about. Didn't hear one bit of racial abuse towards anyone, except a lad saying that the steward looked like Abu Hamza. He was speaking to a friend (i assume) and that's not a racist comment. Its like saying I look like Peter Kay!

The fight was some pi55ed up older bloke giving it large to some younger guys down the front, younger guys stood up so the old guy had a swing for one of them at which point said younger folks friends came over to their protection. Hardly World War 3.

Think people need to stop making a mountain out of a molehill. I highly doubt any of you accusing were actually round that side to see it first hand but doesn't that bandwagon look awfully comfortable to jump on?

Well, you were not where I was then!!

I'm glad. You're making it out to sound like Helmand Province cos there were some advertising boards being dislodged.

You're missing the point completely.

Just because the whole stand wasn't awash with violence that doesn't make what happened okay. Isolated incidents over the years are what is keeping the hooligan reputation football fans have, and incidents like those yesterday will ensure that true Reading fans, those who go to many more away games than some causing the trouble yesterday, will continue to be treated in a heavy handed way.

We are a family club, like it or not, and there were quite a few younger kids there yesterday caught up very close to the violence. They didn't seem to be enjoying the experience, and their parents won't be taking them to an away game again for a while because of it.

Yesterday put any chances of Reading FC supporting safe-standing back at least 5 years.

[madreadingfan]

Been taken well OTT. Blown way out of proportion. I was in the middle of the goal which was great atmosphere btw. But taking the advertising boards off seemed just a bit of fun where some unfortunate person got hit on the head. Shit happens. Yeah there was a fight but that was due to ONE fan starting on other fans which can easily happen on streets or in clubs etc. Hope there wasn't any racist chanting though as that would be disgraceful. We are a family club and this stuff doesn't normally happen.. It happens once and now the majority of the board sound like were gonna turn into Millwall You should be grateful that this only happens rarely and not to make a big deal out of it when something little happens. Enjoy the game and enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoyed yesterday!

[ZacNaloen]

"Just a bit of fun" doesn't make anti-social behaviour suddenly appropriate.

[paultheroyal]

Been taken well OTT. Blown way out of proportion. I was in the middle of the goal which was great atmosphere btw. But taking the advertising boards off seemed just a bit of fun where some unfortunate person got hit on the head. Shit happens. Yeah there was a fight but that was due to ONE fan starting on other fans which can easily happen on streets or in clubs etc. Hope there wasn't any racist chanting though as that would be disgraceful. We are a family club and this stuff doesn't normally happen.. It happens once and now the majority of the board sound like were gonna turn into Millwall You should be grateful that this only happens rarely and not to make a big deal out of it when something little happens. Enjoy the game and enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoyed yesterday!

I would of loved yesterday too if I stood where you were!

But what has been described on this thread did happen from banter, through to racist actions and chanting, violence etc.

[winchester_royal]

Been taken well OTT. Blown way out of proportion. I was in the middle of the goal which was great atmosphere btw. But taking the advertising boards off seemed just a bit of fun where some unfortunate person got hit on the head. Shit happens. Yeah there was a fight but that was due to ONE fan starting on other fans which can easily happen on streets or in clubs etc. Hope there wasn't any racist chanting though as that would be disgraceful. We are a family club and this stuff doesn't normally happen.. It happens once and now the majority of the board sound like were gonna turn into Millwall You should be grateful that this only happens rarely and not to make a big deal out of it when something little happens. Enjoy the game and enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoyed yesterday!

It wasn't 'unfortunate', there chucking big plastic banners with sharp edges into a group of people, wtf did they think would happen?

But you're right, it was a minority, and we should have some perspective as 99% of the fans yesterday were outstanding, and lifted the team when they could have let their heads drop (as all the players have pointed out since).

It's just a shame that the 1% can't have a few drinks, enjoy the game, join in with the chants, and then bugger off home without spoiling the experience for an unfortunate few who were located around them.

[Maguire]

I'm glad you lot don't support, say, any other club in the country because if you think yday was bad you'd be absolutely fcking terrified every time you went to an away game.

Nothing happened ffs. There was one little dust up that lasted all of ten seconds, get over it.

[winchester_royal]

I'm glad you lot don't support, say, any other club in the country because if you think yday was bad you'd be absolutely fcking terrified every time you went to an away game.

Absolute nonsense.

[Maguire]

I'm glad you lot don't support, say, any other club in the country because if you think yday was bad you'd be absolutely fcking terrified every time you went to an away game.

Absolute nonsense.

Yesterday put any chances of Reading FC supporting safe-standing back at least 5 years.

Yeah, because a few blokes held lightweight advertising boards above their heads? You massive drama queen.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

"Just a bit of fun" doesn't make anti-social behaviour suddenly appropriate.

It's the modern way. "We were just havin' a laugh" excuses everything.

I'm sure the fans who strained over the wall to shout abuse at the muslim steward as he walked back after throwing the fan out, were just indulging in a bit of "friendly banter", saying things like "you look like Peter Kay, you do" and other completely innocent things too.


There wasn't bad trouble by any stretch of the imagination*, but the "it was just a laugh" brigade, prepared to overlook racial abuse, the odd fight, and injuring their own supporters (OK, not badly, but that was just "lucky") have a very odd of what constitutes a good day out.

* had we lost, I can imagine the "boisterous fun" would have taken on a rather different edge.

[Big Foot]

Is it safe to leave the house or are these 70s like yobs still roaming our streets?

One bloke yesterday knocked my thermoflask out of my hands. Didn't even apologise, I was spitting feathers.

[madreadingfan]

Been taken well OTT. Blown way out of proportion. I was in the middle of the goal which was great atmosphere btw. But taking the advertising boards off seemed just a bit of fun where some unfortunate person got hit on the head. Shit happens. Yeah there was a fight but that was due to ONE fan starting on other fans which can easily happen on streets or in clubs etc. Hope there wasn't any racist chanting though as that would be disgraceful. We are a family club and this stuff doesn't normally happen.. It happens once and now the majority of the board sound like were gonna turn into Millwall You should be grateful that this only happens rarely and not to make a big deal out of it when something little happens. Enjoy the game and enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoyed yesterday!

It wasn't 'unfortunate', there chucking big plastic banners with sharp edges into a group of people, wtf did they think would happen?

But you're right, it was a minority, and we should have some perspective as 99% of the fans yesterday were outstanding, and lifted the team when they could have let their heads drop (as all the players have pointed out since).

It's just a shame that the 1% can't have a few drinks, enjoy the game, join in with the chants, and then bugger off home without spoiling the experience for an unfortunate few who were located around them.

In all fairness I didn't see them chucking them around I saw them passing it around the fans which just seemed like a bit of fun. Didn't see chucking but if they did then I can agree with you more. But still there were only very few minor incidents. Nothing OTT, if it affected people that much then there really is something wrong with them. Just enjoy the match!

[Big Foot]

Back to the football, I thought it was a great little cup tie and feared an upset was on the cards when Crawley took the lead.

Hunt and Le Fondre worked well together up front, McCleary impressed and once we got our first goal we were more than comfortable.

Guthrie came on and put in some poor corners, lost the ball a few times and then at other moments was too lazy to put the run in and close Crawley down / keep our pressing shape when they had the ball.

Lot of good chanting and banter from the Reading faithful, chant of the day was the group of lads singing Basement Jaxx - Where's your head at to Guthrie

[Maguire]

Is it safe to leave the house or are these 70s like yobs still roaming our streets?

One bloke yesterday knocked my thermoflask out of my hands. Didn't even apologise, I was spitting feathers.

I grazed my knee yesterday. Doubt i'll ever go to a game again.

[M Brook]

I was in the corner yesterday behind the corner flag where the 'trouble' happened. The first ejection was quite pathetic, the bloke was a complete tool and the stewards handled it well. The second ejection happened so fast all I saw was a head of grey hair being pulled over the hoardings by the stewards. The third ejection was a little heavy handed by the bearded steward. Stupid kid who looked completely out of it fell over the hoarding and landed in a heap pitchside. Apart from making himself look a complete half wit, he wasn't doing much wrong. As for racist chanting, I didn't hear any. As for the hoardings being 'launched' back into the crowd - that's a little bit OTT. Still a stupid thing to do mind.

All in all an enjoyable trip but sad to be reminded that we have our fair share of dimwitted morons who can't handle their drink. long time since I saw pathetic behaviour like that at an away match. They let us down.

[anR]

When I was walking up the Brighton Road after the game, I saw the back of someone's shaven head. Top back middle seemed to be a cut of about an inch down, with a dribble of clotted blood down to his neck, with remnants of where more may have been mopped up previously all around. Was this guy near the corner flag trouble? I was by Floyd behind the right post so didn't get a full view of the trouble.

On another note how did that Dambusters chant go?

[Big Foot]

Is it safe to leave the house or are these 70s like yobs still roaming our streets?

One bloke yesterday knocked my thermoflask out of my hands. Didn't even apologise, I was spitting feathers.

I grazed my knee yesterday. Doubt i'll ever go to a game again.

I've got achy legs from standing on the terrace for 90 minutes, might have tomorrow off work.

Just re-reading some other comments on here - you've gotta question the decision making process of a grown man who doesn't like what he sees around him and doesn't move to another part of the stand. If you didn't like the chanting near you, then you can go and stand on another part of the terrace. Although tbf, when I've been in that situation I've often found the best course of action is to stand there like a lemon, drive home and bore a load of strangers on the Internet about it.

[Maguire]

the group of lads singing Basement Jaxx - Where's your head at to Guthrie

Thought RFC were good value for the win to be honest. Never thought we'd let the lead slip and if anything I thought we might put another one or two away.

Crawley got off to a great start but were very limited after that, couple of decent pings aside.