Celtic fans' behaviour tonight

[broadsword]

well im glad you finally have something to smile about.

is it a big happy smile like the one sutton had last night.

or is it a fake forced smile like souness when he claims europe dosent matter hes to busy worrying about the league i.e. relegation battles.

Gx

Oh, definitely a big happy one. There you go again, making me laugh - relegation battles! You are a wound-up little pooper, aren't you?

I have actually posted elsewhere that Celtic deserved to go through - there's no rancour, no ire, nothing. All the best against Celta Vigo.

[Ste B]

If there was this "trouble" you are desrcibing I would guess it was because you were very unwelcoming hosts "HOME FANS ONLY" etc etc.

I've saw Celtic all round Europe and we've never been treated like that. A complete disgrace.

We've never EVER had trouble when we've travelled before.

The same pubs which are home fans only every match for 2 reasons 1) Police / Safety advice, 2) They normally get too many home fans in without worrying about away fans.

Theres also Away Fans ONLY pubs (Fernhurst) and yesterday a number of pubs in the centre (O'Neills, Old Yates).   You were also welcomed in a number of pubs around the ground, and did get in pubs that normally are Home fans only.

We had a good drink with the Celtic fans around town before the match (and in Glasgow), a lot of banter going on, and met lots of good people.   I find the "we werent welcoming" type phrases disappointing, as the vast majority in the area did what they can.

For those who seem to expect us to be raving about the celtic performance, well -  This is a BLACKBURN ROVERS messageboard, so people tend to discuss what went wrong from a Rovers point of view.    We look for where we can improve our own game, not at what celtic did well or not.

I dont think either club particularly covered themselves in glory and put on a decent footballing spectacle over the 2 legs.  I'd suggest that both teams are capable of a better quality of football.    In the end though, Celtics was good enough to get past ours.

[alchemist_gs]

well im glad you finally have something to smile about.

is it a big happy smile like the one sutton had last night.

or is it a fake forced smile like souness when he claims europe dosent matter hes to busy worrying about the league i.e. relegation battles.

Gx

Oh, definitely a big happy one. There you go again, making me laugh - relegation battles! You are a wound-up little pooper, aren't you?

I have actually posted elsewhere that Celtic deserved to go through - there's no rancour, no ire, nothing. All the best against Celta Vigo.

cheers for the support, did you go to parkhead?

im sure you wont get relegated...

dont think youll beat everton though they are really flying at the moment, but you might get a good reaction from the players after last night.

Gx

[alchemist_gs]

If there was this "trouble" you are desrcibing I would guess it was because you were very unwelcoming hosts "HOME FANS ONLY" etc etc.

I've saw Celtic all round Europe and we've never been treated like that. A complete disgrace.

We've never EVER had trouble when we've travelled before.

think of it this way rebel , would you expect a warm welcome in annie millers or the glaswegian?

everyteam has pubs for its own supporters

BTW was that iain mcleod on the pitch last night?

Gx

[Rovermatt]

"Chuckie ar lah" is frankly embarrasing. To Mr and Mrs Lancashire the chanting of such things is not only totally alien but also highly offensive.

And what exactly is offensive about it? Do you know what it means?

Of course I know what it bloody means! It's a widely used Republican slogan which means "Our Day Will Come." The chanting of this has been used by generations of Republicans and Celtic fans alike. It is an IRA saying used by killers of innocent people. That is why it is offensive.

[Ricky]

Moderation mode

rovermatt and tamerton can you leave the politics out of this thread please.

Lets try to keep to the subject in hand please.

[ABBEY]

well just stopped chucking up ,ive been a bit ruff today.

May  I say had good drink and laugh with celtic fans .All I can say to whoever (dont know if was rovers fans or celtic fans) threw the bottle at the window in the ewood arms >>>>YOUR A #####!!!!!!!!!!  AND did you know there was women and kids sat there...................tosser!!

[Rovermatt]

edited

[JonnyH]

"The 2 idiots who tried to start "no surrender..." every 30 seconds - brain removed at birth, maybe?  How many times - no-one's going to join in!!!"  

Those two were sat directly behind us. It's all they were singing. I think they were looking around for proud approval. "We learned a new song"

They were just ignored.

[Modi]

1.  Didn't care much for the Celtic fans totally ratted at the bottom of Livesey Branch Road at just turned 1800, using just about every swear word to any passing Rovers fan - some of the young kids were terrified - first time I've seen young girls have to grab hold of their dad for protection at a footie match.

2. Didn't care much for the Celtic fans who abused me and a mate for having the audacity to not sell our tickets to them.

3. Didn't care much for the Celtic fans sat just in front of me in the JW, who decided smoking in a no-smoking area (especially in the present situation) was a good idea.

4. Didn't care much for the same Celtic fans who then hurled abuse of a most interesting variety at me for several minutes after I asked our friendly steward (John who is excellent, superb person skills, a Scot, and a Celtic fan at heart alongside Rovers) to have a quiet word with them regarding the smoking.   Some of the insults were clearly not true as my Dad was sat next to me.

5.  Didn't care much for the Celtic fans around us who put fear of god into the 6 year old in front of me with their boorish attitude.    Thankfully some of them left at half time, and the others mor or less shut up when we actually had a police presence for the last 45 minutes.

Apart from that, no real complaints about the "world famous good natured fans".

[RangerRover]

It was painfully obvious that the town of Blackburn was ill prepared for the visit of such a massive Celtic support- although I think it's unlikely that they will be so unprepared next time.

I'll start by pointing out that when Celtic (and Rangers for that matter) travel to important Euopean games, some supporters will tank themselves up throughout the day. We witnessed  various fans drinking at Southwaite, on buses and in the town early on and obviously some of them will be in a state of drunkenness when kick-off time approaches. That's the nature of some Old Firm supporters although it has to be said that the majority of fans make-do with a few pints and then head for the game. I suppose normally at Blackburn matches, Rovers fans would not bat an eyelid at a couple of drunks but you have to remember that Celtic supporters travelled in their thousands last night and I'm afraid the culture shock of seeing so many fans suffering from the effects of drink must have been a real eye opener for the Auntie Doris's who sat near me in the Jack Walker stand.

Before the match, we queued up to get into the Moorings. The five of us were surrounded by Celtic fans and the banter was good (although I did have to change the tune on my mobile and also didn't mention that three of us supported another Glasgow team - not Partick !) While we were waiting to get in on a one in - one out basis, two of the biggest looking monsters I've ever seen, both Blackburn fans - one with a terrible scar on his face, attempted to walk straight in. No one was arguing, not even the bouncers. However, the Police arrived and escorted the guys to the end of the line - a clear case of the authorities doing their job. Can I just add that the sight of three barmaids clearly harassed and rushed off their feet proved to me how local businessmen can under-estimate a sudden influx of customers. I have to say that I didn't think the Moorings was overbusy given the fact that the queue outsude was always over fifty-sixty long. We were served within five minutes and had plenty of room to find a corner to stand in - in stark contrast to Glasgow where the bar is packed and you have to basically hold your drinks shoulder high as their is so little room to move. In my opinion, the manger of the Moorings could have made a fortune by employing more staff and allowing more customers in. The staff would still have been hard pressed but the benefits would have been worthwhile to the owner. As I've said - they couldn't cope with what I thought was a busy - but not crowded - group of thirsty fans.

I saw a few drunks but no trouble outside the ground. I was at the very left of the JW stand and did see some Celtic fans getting attacked after Larsson scored. I also saw the guy who needed four or five policemen to hold and handcuff him before he was led away. The truth is they shouldn't have been there and generally it only results in the fan being escorted from the ground - it's not often you see violence though - anger, yes, but usually home fans just call a steward and the resulting ejection is enough to calm folk down.

Stewarding in England is a farce - in my opinion. In Scotland, stewards face the crowd and don't watch the match. They certainly don't chat away to each other, are regularly visited by their superior to gage any problem or incident that could/has occurred, and know that help is available should the situation get out of control. I agree with those who said youngsters shouldn't be asked to steward such highly charged games. I also thought the reaction of stewards and Police was slow when the guy in the Rangers strip ran towards the Darwen Road End - we loved that.

I've heard various viewpoints about the Ewood atmosphere and how some Rovers fans don't get behind the team - but nothing prepared me for what I heard last night. Although my mates sit in the JW stand, they are very vociferous - like me. Yet I was shocked when I heard comments such as " Oh, there's a helicopter" " OH look - a sea of scarves" "Look at him - oh my - he's actually resisting arrest " !  I should add that they were all pensioners but come on - this was during play. Fair play to the lads in the Blackburn End stand who tried to get the atmosphere going - even if the Souness song got a little monotonous towards the end. Oh, and if you were in the JW stand and you heard guys with Scottich accents shouting "Come on - get behind your team" - that was us.

Apart from the result, I enjoyed the day out. Met my old mates, had a few drinks and a laugh. Top night.

As for Alchemist - Gs. I don't think you were at the match - part timer - so don't come on here and spout nonsense at what has been good natured banter up till now. Pete, Jmc and Jas have all contributed to decent views and points on this forum - pity you couldn't do the same. You are wrong though, alchemist, when you say there wouldn't be a welcome for you in Annie Miller's - come on in - I'm waiting with the blowtorch and the pliers....

[thenodrog]

- allowing Celtic fans to get away with racist chants (pro-IRA) throughout the game

It's a trap that a lot of people fall into:

The "Soldiers Song" (which came across great on the BEEB) is not a PRO-IRA song ~ it's the Irish National Anthem.

Given the origins is there much difference?

Anyway moving on......speculation is not factual of course and all this holier than thou crap about the Celtic fans behaviour is just fine and dandy but I shudder to think what could have happened if we had scored 3 second half goals and won 3-1?  

Sorry but I cannot see any sane person in England who would want Celic playing down here.  It's simply asking for trouble.  It's bad enough when they win but should any future season turn into a relegation battle the scenario would be horrific.  They are a threat to peace amd harmony on their own but I could envisage various sections of dickheads from Millwall, Burnley, Leeds Chelsea (even here)  etc etc organising themselves to follow Celtic around for some 'action' when their own teams were playing away. Should more IRA attrocities occur the situation could turn deadly.

[Cheeky Sidders]

I had the "good fortune" to encounter Celtic fans from as early as 10.50am yesterday when I narrowly avoided knocking one down on Railway Rd... despite my best efforts to hit him.  In response to commenst made by other Rovers fans, I think it is only fair and proper to sat that although many Cletic fans were abusive, violent, loud, foul-mouthed and sectarian, the overwhelming majority just managed to be just boorish, inebriated and generally tiresome.

Perhaps it was the fault of the good burghers of Blackburn for "not being prepared" but we are just a small, provincial town and as far as I am aware there has never been a zoo in the borough (apart from St John's Tavern, of course) so how could we have been ready for what hit us?

Oh well, all over now and the green hordes have returned north leaving us with our resident, peaceful Scottish community... and those Caledonian apes that drink in The Swan.

Can't say I'm too impressed with the suggestions that the people of Blackburn were unwelcoming or that the authorities were heavy handed.  If Celtic fans want to know the true meaning of unwelcome, they ought to go to an away game in East London.  And if Celtic fans had bloody well behaved themselves and some charmers in Glasgow hadn't forged tickets, there wouldn't really have been a problem.  That doesn't excuse the behaviour of some of the Rovers fans who disgraced themselves but you get arseholes at every club.

In fairness, it's not the first time we've had difficulties with visiting fans and I think the biggest problem this time was due to the sheer volume rather than the actual behaviour of the Celtic fans.  At least they didn't climb the walls and invade the pitch like City fans and I haven't heard of anyone speaking of their cars being stolen and turning up in the frozen north like when our friends in black & white stripes have paid us a visit.

Fair play to the Celts, the better team won but it's only a Mickey Mouse cup anyway  

[thenodrog]

Careful Sidders that last line of your post employs heavy use of irony with a touch of humour.  Thats Yellow card territory for sure on here!

[Baz]

Anyone know why the Celts where singing 'Ar-gen-tina, ar-gen-tina'?

Is it to do with the Falklands, France 98 or summat else?

[thenodrog]

just to aggravate I guess.....they were doing it in Glasgow too.

Incidentally I cannot confirm the validity of this but my mate in the pub  afterwards swore that he had seen 4 or 5 Iraqui flags being waved behind the Darwen End.  

Personally I saw a few peculiar tricolour flags with black bars and triangles on em but I dont know what they signified.  Anybody else know the significance?

[jim mk2]

Sorry but I cannot see any sane person in England who would want Celic playing down here.  It's simply asking for trouble.  It's bad enough when they win but should any future season turn into a relegation battle the scenario would be horrific.  They are a threat to peace amd harmony on their own but I could envisage various sections of dickheads from Millwall, Burnley, Leeds Chelsea (even here)  etc etc organising themselves to follow Celtic around for some 'action' when their own teams were playing away. Should more IRA attrocities occur the situation could turn deadly.

Agree with that. I would imagine every police force in England would object to them joining the Premiership anyway.

I met some charming Celtic supporters in Glasgow and at Ewood but the bad ones, like those at Rangers, are truly horrible.

Hardian's Wall wasn't built for nothing. Keep the Tartan hordes behind it sine die.

[adopted scouser]

every heard the phrase

YOU CANNAE TAKE A BEATING  

No, but you can, Culloden.

Look, you were the better team at Ewood and you went through, end of story.

Now please leave our message board and return from that place from whence you came. And while you're there, remember me to your mother.

[Alex Rover]

just to aggravate I guess.....they were doing it in Glasgow too.

Incidentally I cannot confirm the validity of this but my mate in the pub  afterwards swore that he had seen 4 or 5 Iraqui flags being waved behind the Darwen End.  

Personally I saw a few peculiar tricolour flags with black bars and triangles on em but I dont know what they signified.  Anybody else know the significance?

Don't understand the Argentina chant as it can't be the Falklands because, well not to put too fine a point on it, we won.  As we did in the last World Cup.

I saw quite a few Basque flags (to be expected I suppose).

But there were loads of the tricolour flags with the black triangle which I think maybe is the Kuwait flag - the significance of which escapes me.

[broadsword]

It's to do with Palestine.

[Rovermatt]

Not allowed speak my language apparantly.

That's not what I'm saying.

[Rovermatt]

still people regard last nights result as some sort of fluke.

It wasn't a fluke, we were well and truly done.

[Rovermatt]

rovermatt and tamerton can you leave the politics out of this thread please.

Lets try to keep to the subject in hand please.

No I'm sorry, but I am not trying to steer anything anywhere (as was insinuated in the warning PM.) Such things are bound to arise in a topic where people are relating their experiences with the Celtic fans from last night. You can be rest assured that politics is pretty low on my agenda also. I was asked a question and I answered it. You want it left alone? Fair enough.

[Rovermatt]

It's to do with Palestine.

It is indeed. There are Israeli flags all over too, possibly with Rangers fans. Direct empathy you see. The colour coming from the Celtic end was fantastic. The atmosphere down there, favourable or not, was electric.

[Paul Mellelieu]

I think a of of people on this thread are avoiding the issue; that there was/is a significant minority of Celtic fans (mainly inadequate young men) who don't know how to behave in public and believe it's ok to drink themselves into a stupor and threaten and harass their way round Ewood last night.  They also manage to graft on "anti-establisment" politics football style - support the 'Ra, the Palestinians and whoever, ironically whilst sporting Papal banners.  Spot the inconsistnecy there.  

Jas and the like close their eyes to those facts - and to the central issue that the old firm is based on a deep seated sectarian heritage which fuels the kind of behaviuor we saw last night.  

I am very sorry to hear about the Celtic supporters with tickets who didn't get in last night and I'm ashamed to hear that some Rovers fans were involved in trouble, so my basic points remain.