How exactly does the family stand work and do you have to be with a child to gain entry ?

[raul]

I think you should have a stand all to yourself Cahill. L'oreal.

 

[cahill]

If that was a dig at me, I didn't seek out Mick's help. He saw a post on here or similar forum with me moaning that we had to move, pm'd me and said he'd do what he could and sorted it. Just like he does for any Blade whenever he can.

Now, I never mentioned you did I ? Interesting.

 

[Bladesway]

Swearing in front of kids. How cool is that? The clue to the Family stand is in the name, it should be for families. Hence the behaviour should be that you would expect in a family environment. The fact the Kop is singing something obscene is one thing isn't justification to do it yourself. Is it such a difficult thing to control yourself in a family environment? Makes me not want to take my soon to be 4 year old to a game if that is the way people in the family area behave.

 

[Bradford Blade]

I find there are plenty of ways to curse and show disapproval with resorting to common dirty swearwords;

".....go and boil yer bra" - is a good one to throw at any woman who is annoying, including the missus.

I find a "shove-off" pretty effective, and "..... you stupid swamp donkey" quite demeaning.

Totally agree but it's horses for courses at the end of the day. As much as I rarely use four letter words (seriously), I do use them occasionally, and football tends to one of the places that I do so.

IMHO, football is still - for the most part - a working class sport, and 'philosophically' something I consider is one that belongs to the grafting folk of umpteen generations, where we are permitted to relieve that banal monotony of the working day. To me, football and beer are like like two peas in a pod. I simply can't have one without the other. And after a few beers - as bald as I am - I like to "let my hair down" at the game, shouting, singing, even swearing occasionally, and coming away with the feeling that the 'pressure valve' of life has well and truly diminished, at least for a week or two.

My kids understand this and will quite probably share such an attitude when they're out in this God forsaken world grafting for peanuts in an environment that makes Victorian England look appealing. My son who was here for the Vale Cup match is in the Yorks Reg and loved the ability to chill out and vent on Sat. Some people - it could be said - 'need' such opportunities...

I think when all is said and done, non of us will ever manage to avoid any and all unsavoury behaviour and language at footie matches and I believe it's rather unrealistic to expect such too.

But re: Linz's post above, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the Club could put aside a few blocks for those of you who would like to engender a more subtle 'Family' atmosphere. I personally would have little desire to use it, but that does not negate anyone's else's desire to utilise it. All power to them - live and let live IYAM.

When all this said, though, I also think it depends hugely on the social environment we are acclimatised to outside football. I know of some kids in my locality who could teach me plenty of colourful language, kids who are not even 10. So I have to ask: just where are these bairns learning such - it's deffo not at football. Those footie fans privileged enough to live in a far more genteel, 'civilised' environment, I think, need to appreciate that a social 'underclass' does exist whom, as per my point above, equally come to football as has been the case in their families for generations.

But all said 'n' done, it would be nice if the Club could get something sorted out regarding this. It so hit 'n' miss that I really don't see a point in calling JS the 'Family Stand'.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Now, I never mentioned you did I ? Interesting.

Not particularly interesting actually. Having read through the thread, I was the only one who had put anything about someone from the club helping me out. Not surprisingly, I assumed you meant it was me in the know. You seem a bit aggressive , had a bad day?

 

[cahill]

This thread wasn't started as a complaint against swearing or even the criminal offence of swilling beer 'cos I'm guilty on both counts. It was a query as to why I am surrounded by groups of adults seemingly without kids in the "Family" stand when I can't get a ticket in there as an adult. That query has been answered.
That said, the justification for swearing has been presented as the working mans release from the stresses and strains etc. I'm from a mining community and it was considered "manly" for men NOT to swear among women and children . Going by some messages on here some people don't even like children being at matches, if that's the case why go in the Family stand ?
Personally I prefer the atmosphere standing at the back of the kop and the swearing such as it is isn't as bad as you might think

 

[Bladesway]

IMHO, football is still - for the most part - a working class sport, and 'philosophically' something I consider is one that belongs to the grafting folk of umpteen generations, where we are permitted to relieve that banal monotony of the working day. To me, football and beer are like like two peas in a pod. I simply can't have one without the other. And after a few beers - as bald as I am - I like to "let my hair down" at the game, shouting, singing, even swearing occasionally, and coming away with the feeling that the 'pressure valve' of life has well and truly diminished, at least for a week or two.

My kids understand this and will quite probably share such an attitude when they're out in this God forsaken world grafting for peanuts in an environment that makes Victorian England look appealing. My son who was here for the Vale Cup match is in the Yorks Reg and loved the ability to chill out and vent on Sat. Some people - it could be said - 'need' such opportunities...

I think when all is said and done, non of us will ever manage to avoid any and all unsavoury behaviour and language at footie matches and I believe it's rather unrealistic to expect such too.

But re: Linz's post above, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the Club could put aside a few blocks for those of you who would like to engender a more subtle 'Family' atmosphere. I personally would have little desire to use it, but that does not negate anyone's else's desire to utilise it. All power to them - live and let live IYAM.

When all this said, though, I also think it depends hugely on the social environment we are acclimatised to outside football. I know of some kids in my locality who could teach me plenty of colourful language, kids who are not even 10. So I have to ask: just where are these bairns learning such - it's deffo not at football. Those footie fans privileged enough to live in a far more genteel, 'civilised' environment, I think, need to appreciate that a social 'underclass' does exist whom, as per my point above, equally come to football as has been the case in their families for generations.

But all said 'n' done, it would be nice if the Club could get something sorted out regarding this. It so hit 'n' miss that I really don't see a point in calling JS the 'Family Stand'.

Crikey you sound like a Dickensian consumptive living in a work house with the above statements. A world that makes Victorian England look appealing? God forsaken world? Banal monotony of the working day. Please sir can I have some more.

With regards to family areas I agree, the club could/should have an area where you can take your kids at 4 or whatever and not be worried about the idiot behind calling the ref a f*****g w****r. Or abusing a player for whatever reason and spitting bile out in front of young children. I'm sorry but I want to protect my children from that behaviour. If they pick it up somewhere else then so be it, but not on my watch. If wanting your son/daughter to learn his/her industrial language outside of their parents is asking too much then perhaps we are better hurling ourselves back 100+ years. If and when my kids get to an age where they know and understand what they are saying then that is slightly different.

If you want to set the bar low then indeed you will never be disappointed but just because swearing and rolling around pissed is common behaviour doesn't make it right in front of young kids. I don't think it is at all unrealistic to expect that in a public place where it is supposed to be a "family" stand (again clue in the name) you shouldn't be able to take your young children and introduce them to the club you love in an environment that doesn't scare the crap out of them and make them not want to come back.

I am genuinely amused that you feel football still is the preserve of the "working class". Multi Billion pound owners paying players hundreds of thousands a week and paying over £25 on average to watch football in the third tier of english football. Players on the pitch even at our level getting thousands of pounds per week and driving around in big 4x4's. Executive boxes being the preferred method of delivering the "product" to its "consumers". Lashing out hundreds of pounds on "merchendise" and being part of a "global brand". Perhaps a different debate for another thread I'll grant you and I am not having a pop at you directly, but to say that the game has any connection to the working class any more (how would you define working class in any case) is a bad joke.

 

[Eskimo]

I personally don't like to hear swearing and yobbish behaviour generally. Yet would regard myself as liberal in my views. I'm a hipocrite too, on occasions I have been ashamed of what I've shouted at linesmen/ refs etc.

Point is football now attrtacts an eclectic group of people and we should as a club cater for individual preferences as much as possible so as not to put folk off. So an area like a Family stand where I comfortably might take my church going mother in law and my sons mates from school. And a kop where I might fucking swear seems a reasonable atrrangement

We had tickets in the family stand for years and the atmosphere was great, no swearing and have no complaints in the South Stand now except for the strange group in front of us who arrive 15 mins late, disappear for a drink 10 mins before half time and return 10 mins into the second half. each to their own I suppose

 

[sitwell]

you take the passion out of football ,you will lose more supporters than you will who object to it. I watched a game the other week behind the glass in the jSS ,great view but I hated it and had to watch from the seats in the second half. I know there are people who differ but couldnt they find a seat away from the crowds ,its not like the Lane is packed. You arent going to stop 500 away fans calling the ref a wanker or the home fans agreeing so they are going to hear swearing no matter what.

 

[God]

you take the passion out of football ,you will lose more supporters than you will who object to it. I watched a game the other week behind the glass in the jSS ,great view but I hated it and had to watch from the seats in the second half. I know there are people who differ but couldnt they find a seat away from the crowds ,its not like the Lane is packed. You arent going to stop 500 away fans calling the ref a wanker or the home fans agreeing so they are going to hear swearing no matter what.

The day that all we are allowed to sing or chant is United United Ra Ra Ra will be my last ever game. And the way the PC brigade are going it wont be that long IMHO.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I go on the JSS hblock ,have had my seat since it was first put in ,I think you can stay there even when the kids arent with you/grown up ,but if you stop for a season and try to go back without kids I think your knackered.

I think that is true, Sitters.

 

[metalblade]

you take the passion out of football ,you will lose more supporters than you will who object to it. I watched a game the other week behind the glass in the jSS ,great view but I hated it and had to watch from the seats in the second half. I know there are people who differ but couldnt they find a seat away from the crowds ,its not like the Lane is packed. You arent going to stop 500 away fans calling the ref a wanker or the home fans agreeing so they are going to hear swearing no matter what.

The day that all we are allowed to sing or chant is United United Ra Ra Ra will be my last ever game. And the way the PC brigade are going it wont be that long IMHO.

The passion has already gone from football grounds around the country and BDTBL is just another one of many. Week upon week the atmosphere is more and more akin to a library at the lane, the matchday experience has become Americanized to the point where any noise is generated by a over loud PA system............. the team comes out to music, on cue the first few notes of John Denver blast out as a signal to sing the greasy chip buttie song at the beginning of each half, we have music to help the fans celebrate should we score a goal (at least it is no longer Tom fookin Hark) We have campaigns to kick racism out of football as if football is the only place where racism shows it's ugly face but today's game has to be seen to be politically correct I suppose.
Then we have the whingers moaning about swearing in the ground full of horror that it might be within earshot of their delicate little offspring who will have heard all the naughty words well before they leave nursery for the infants school anyway. Could it be a guilt trip for the parents who a few years earlier were the beer swilling foul mouthed men who they now loathe so much swearing in front of kids ??? a bit like looking back in time for some parents I suspect.
What exactly is so special about football, the kids hear swearing everywhere do we stop em watching a dvd or take away their games console do we take them out of school ??? no we teach them it is not acceptable to swear in front of granny etc. At a football match you can expect to hear quite a lot of swearing, if your kids are too young or delicate to be exposed to it don't fookin take them they are obviously too young and will be just as happy at home playing on their Nintendo DS or whatever in the warm rather than outside in the cold and damp surrounded by swearing drunks.

 

[cahill]

Agree that football is over sanitised and controlled. Too Americanised and ra ra. Music when the teams come out, music after a goal's scored, bloke dressed as a Pirate puppet walking round the pitch, overenthusiastic/aggressive stewarding in the away/Bramall Lane end.
Back of the kop's the place to be, seems to be an amicable working arrangement between the club and fans with low key sensible stewarding which allows back few rows to stand. I love it.

 

[boo radley]

I now visit different areas of the ground after years in the family stand. My kids now grown up and have other things in their lives.
When in the family stand I had no problem with telling those swearing to shut it. Most apologised and did not swear after. I had one guy coming out with the argument about 'what to expect at a match' and these peole try to make out they have a 'right', with an inverted snobbish attitude trying to suggest that 'Ive watched footie all mi life, is this your first game?'. As the argument continued, others joined in on my side and a nearby steward started making his way to find out the problem. The bloke backed down and was sat in the same area all the rest of that season. He had the occasional slip and immediately apologised.
If you don't agree with what is going off in your club TELL THEM. If they don't know then they cannot act.
When I now go with my grown up kids we go anywhere we want for that particular game knowing full well they have heard all the regular chants, songs and grown up with certain language being more acceptable in certain places than others.
Today, Westfield corner. Not much swearing there.

 

[God]

I now visit different areas of the ground after years in the family stand. My kids now grown up and have other things in their lives.
When in the family stand I had no problem with telling those swearing to shut it. Most apologised and did not swear after. I had one guy coming out with the argument about 'what to expect at a match' and these peole try to make out they have a 'right', with an inverted snobbish attitude trying to suggest that 'Ive watched footie all mi life, is this your first game?'. As the argument continued, others joined in on my side and a nearby steward started making his way to find out the problem. The bloke backed down and was sat in the same area all the rest of that season. He had the occasional slip and immediately apologised.
If you don't agree with what is going off in your club TELL THEM. If they don't know then they cannot act.
When I now go with my grown up kids we go anywhere we want for that particular game knowing full well they have heard all the regular chants, songs and grown up with certain language being more acceptable in certain places than others.
Today, Westfield corner. Not much swearing there.

Yes I agree BR if we dont agree with whats going off at our club we should let them know. So thats my e mail off asking why families insist on NOT using the areas ALREADY provided for families i.e John Street where hundreds of season ticket holders were deposed to make way for Mummy Daddy Jack and Jemima to play happy families, and also the family corner. How many more areas of the ground do Mummy and Daddy et brats want to infest and complain about the laddish behaviour and swearing ?

I use to go in the Westfield corner but the Tranmere game was the last straw for me as my son whos 22 had to move down a row because some inconsiderate GIT wouldnt stop their brats, looked like abour 4 and 6 , kicking the back of our seats for the entire game. So we went on the kop for the first time in a while for the Scunny match, where we were plesanly surprised to find few kids, humorous banter going on and yes they were swearing too ! all in all 100% better than WC and a much more enjoyable day out aprt from the weather.
That is of course until Mummy and Daddy decide to infest that as well cos its their "right", so that little Jack and Jemima can join in with the silly songs, of course Daddy will have to agree because he cant say no to his little darlings, and when they all start questioning the referees parenthood Daddy will jolly well tell them all to shut it as its making little Jacks ears bleed.

 

[boo radley]

If you use colourful language in other areas and you get complaints tell them their is a dedicated stand for families and people with children. Ultimately the law is on their side but if there are a thousand fans shouting
'Who's the bastard in the black', they'll have a job making their point. Where as in the family stand they would not if they decided to grow some and make a point about it. If I decided to have a coulerful rant in any other stand and some parent told me to calm it, I would point out that that is why there is a family stand to use so you as a parent can best protect your child. I did and now I can let go a bit more.