Ulster v Glasgow Live

[mack]

And finally, I booed at the end of the Glasgow game and make no apology for it. I was absolutely GUTTED by the performance and that was the only way I could express my feelings at that time. I'm not a football fan nor am I a hooligan BTW.

Suppose you're all going to have a go at me for booing now

I'll get my coat.

Fair play to you WW.

I did not boo, (for many reasons), and one of them being simply that several of the players, IMO, actually played their rocks off and certainly did not warrant that type of reaction whilst leaving the pitch. I appreciate that it is a team game and there is a collective responsibility, but there has to be some acknowledgement of individual performance and to me booing does not recognise that. Sometimes "Silence" is just as an effective weapon to show displeasure.

[Shafted]

I'm afraid I can't agree with a lot of what you say FH, particularly the piece about drinking and swearing.

I've stood on the prom for a number of years now and can't honestly say that there have been more people drinking around me, likewise swearing and jeering. In fact, if anything I think there are less people drinking round me - what does that say eh?

I think this whole issue is being over analysed and an element of the hoo-ray henry's is creeping in. Fans aren't threatening the team - that's a pretty ridiculous statement IMO.

Yes, Ulster have had some bad press this season but it's just our turn - it'll be someone elses next season.

And finally, I booed at the end of the Glasgow game and make no apology for it. I was absolutely GUTTED by the performance and that was the only way I could express my feelings at that time. I'm not a football fan nor am I a hooligan BTW.

Suppose you're all going to have a go at me for booing now

I'll get my coat.

well said WW, likewise i booed, and make no apologies for it and like you am no hooligan, i was gutted at the manner of the defeat...not the defeat, but unfortunately the stiff upper lip mentality often prevails, in future i'll write a sternly worder letter to the branch, telelgraph etc!

get real, booing isn't criminal, its not an pattern, it was one way the fans could vent their displeasure after a woeful run of performances! as i said before if players and management want the plaudits for success, they must expect and accept criticism for consistent underperformance!

my biggest concern is that there have been evident problems for months and nothing has seemingly been to done to change this! as einstein allegedly said :-

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"

[Wee Woman]

Cheers Mack.

There's been a lot of debate over this (page 11!!). I'm just miffed at the of the critisism the booers are getting - the fact is our team lost ugly, really ugly last week and I fail to see how booing after that performance was unhelpful to the them.

I'm there at every home game, I'm behind them in every game - but c'mon do they really expect us to cheer for them at the end when they put in performances like that?

I don't dispute that the guys were trying but how else does one go about expressing displeasure? The only time you'll get total silence from the crowd is as a mark or respect to someone recently deceased.

I don't agree also with the fact that people were saying it was a minority of fans who booed - from where I was standing and even from the coverage on the telly on Sunday - it was a brave bit more than a 'minority' of the crowd.

Better still - what about the supporters who left early? At least the booers stayed to end and supported the team right up to the end. It would be interesting to hear opinions on that

[Shafted]

it was a brave bit more than a 'minority' of the crowd.

yup, it was a small majority where we were on the prom that booed, and most of these, ourselves included are long term rugby fans/players/ex-players who are well versed in the traditions of the game!

[BR]

I may well have joined in the booing, had I not already been on my way out of the ground; something I'd first considered at half time, but my heart had said, "stay on!" I'll be listening to my head next time.

[jamesie]

i don't see the problem with a bit of booing where its warranted... it shows that we don't suffer fools gladly... the fools being the dudes on the pitch. they need to know how much it hurts

[Fly Half]

I'm afraid I can't agree with a lot of what you say FH, particularly the piece about drinking and swearing.

I've stood on the prom for a number of years now and can't honestly say that there have been more people drinking around me, likewise swearing and jeering. In fact, if anything I think there are less people drinking round me - what does that say eh?

Must be just where I go then - in the Stand and the Terrace. The Stand is easier to hear swearing as it's quieter.

I think this whole issue is being over analysed and an element of the hoo-ray henry's is creeping in. Fans aren't threatening the team - that's a pretty ridiculous statement IMO.

If the "support" is taken away from anything it will fall - a fan booing is demonstrating their removal of support - a significant threat IMO.

Yes, Ulster have had some bad press this season but it's just our turn - it'll be someone elses next season.

Other team's would love to have the number of supporters that Ulster have. Anything that undermines that support reduces Ulster's power at Ravenhill. Even though the three incidents fell favourably for Ulster to a greater or lesser degree, I expect them to raise their head in some shape at a later date. It's bad enough having opposition trying to undermine the support but for the Ulster fans to do it themselves is suicidal.

Why not write a letter to each individual you are unhappy with, expressing your disappointment, and how you expect them to behave or improve? As has been mentioned before, some players tried their hardest, so is it fair that they are booed? What about those players who did "deserve" it, did they know it was directed specifically at them?
Booing is negative, indiscriminate and destructive, probably the last thing the team needs at the moment.

[BR]

Firstly I think the majority of people supported the team for the 80 minutes (was it really only 80 minutes, seemed like about 3 hours). But that support does not neccessarily extend to post-match.

Secondly - I support Ulster - that isn't the 15 players on the field nor the management. Those individuals are representing me, and if they are not doing it properly, I feel I have every right to tell them (whilst remaining civil).

[Wee Woman]

Why not write a letter to each individual you are unhappy with, expressing your disappointment, and how you expect them to behave or improve? As has been mentioned before, some players tried their hardest, so is it fair that they are booed? What about those players who did "deserve" it, did they know it was directed specifically at them?
Booing is negative, indiscriminate and destructive, probably the last thing the team needs at the moment.

Like a letter from me to each 'individual' is going to change anything - are you a school teacher or something??

Saying that, you write away if you really believe that it will change a single thing - you must have plenty of time on your hands. I await with anticipation any replies you might receive.

I'm rubbing my slapped wrists concerning your last statement - I'm a married woman in my thirties and have just been give my first cyber b*ll*cking - it would be funny if the issue wasn't so bloomin frustrating.

I'm none of the above and still make no apology for booing. In fact, if we get another dire result like the Glasgow one this Friday I might even consider booing again - or do I need your permission first???

Typical example of how this issue has been hi-jacked by the hoo-ray henrys IMO.

Bottom line is, no amount of pontificating on your part is going to stop supporters expressing how they feel and no amount of letters to individuals from individual supporters is going to change a jot.

[Fly Half]

Why not write a letter to each individual you are unhappy with, expressing your disappointment, and how you expect them to behave or improve? As has been mentioned before, some players tried their hardest, so is it fair that they are booed? What about those players who did "deserve" it, did they know it was directed specifically at them?

Like a letter from me to each 'individual' is going to change anything - are you a school teacher or something??

Saying that, you write away if you really believe that it will change a single thing - you must have plenty of time on your hands. I await with anticipation any replies you might receive.

... and booing changes what exactly? I take it you can't be bothered to write then - so it's obviously not that important to you. I don't intend to write as I personally don't think that criticism is what the team needs. IMO it is not helpful to kick them when they are already down, however if someone feels the need to do so, writing would be better than booing as it at least shows personal commitment.

Booing is negative, indiscriminate and destructive, probably the last thing the team needs at the moment.

I'm rubbing my slapped wrists concerning your last statement - I'm a married woman in my thirties and have just been give my first cyber b*ll*cking - it would be funny if the issue wasn't so bloomin frustrating.

I'm none of the above and still make no apology for booing. In fact, if we get another dire result like the Glasgow one this Friday I might even consider booing again - or do I need your permission first???

I've had to re-read my post quite a few times to see what constitutes a "cyber b*ll*cking", but if that's what you think, then I'll take your word for it. Since you mention the "last statement", I take it you consider booing to be positive, specific and constructive?

(if you want to boo again of course you'll need my permission, unlicensed booing is the first step towards anarchy and can only be tolerated if I receive £20 in a brown envelope.)

Typical example of how this issue has been hi-jacked by the hoo-ray henrys IMO.

Bottom line is, no amount of pontificating on your part is going to stop supporters expressing how they feel and no amount of letters to individuals from individual supporters is going to change a jot.

I've never been called a "hoo-ray henry" before but hey there's a first time for everything - who knows I might be booing next, spluttering my champagne and prawn sandwiches over the great unwashed? (Oops did I say champers - I meant Schloer of course, there's not the same amount of drink at Ravers these days.)

However, I see you have entirely missed the point of my post - I am not seeking "to stop supporters expressing how they feel", but rather encourage them to express those feelings in a more constructive and specific way. In this technological age, hardly anyone writes letters any more because of text, e-mail, MBs whatever. A letter shows the recipient that the sender is affected deeply enough to be bothered to do something more than a contemptuous hoot of derision from an anonymous crowd.

[Wee Woman]

[quote="Fly Half"]
I take it you can't be bothered to write then - so it's obviously not that important to you. I don't intend to write as I personally don't think that criticism is what the team needs.

Ok so - I obviously can't be bothered
I happen to work for a living and don't have time to be writing individual letters to individual team members - if that constitutes not caring in your book fair enough.

I take it you consider booing to be positive, specific and constructive?

And where exactly in my posts did I say that? You're putting words in my mouth.

(if you want to boo again of course you'll need my permission, unlicensed booing is the first step towards anarchy and can only be tolerated if I receive £20 in a brown envelope.)

Looks like you'll make a killing this Friday then if it's another bad result eh?

I've never been called a "hoo-ray henry" before but hey there's a first time for everything

A first for everything indeed, I booed once and this is the reaction I get!

However, I see you have entirely missed the point of my post - I am not seeking "to stop supporters expressing how they feel", but rather encourage them to express those feelings in a more constructive and specific way.

You'd be best doing something at Ravers this Friday night then, you'll have a few more than me to deal with.

A letter shows the recipient that the sender is affected deeply enough to be bothered to do something more than a contemptuous hoot of derision from an anonymous crowd.

Yeah, ok - very nicely put BTW but I'm educated enough to know what letters are for thanks. But do you REALLY honestly think anyone is going to write back?[/quote]

Anyway, that's enough from me on this matter. I will be standing where I usually stand on Friday night supporting my team come hell or high water.

I hope, just like everyone else - we can end the season with a solid performance and most importantly - a win

[Fly Half]

Booing is negative, indiscriminate and destructive, probably the last thing the team needs at the moment.

I'm none of the above and still make no apology for booing.

Sorry, I thought when you said you were "none of the above" you were referring to the "last statement"? i.e. "negative, indiscriminate and destructive". Please note that I refer to the term "booing" rather than to you personally - I'm sure you are none of those things.

If you disagree with my definition that's fine, but the logical inference is that a counter definition would be "positive, specific and constructive."

You will also note from McCall and Best's statements today that they seem to have taken the booing to mean the former rather than the latter, presumably because they don't know that you didn't mean it that way.

[mack]

[quote="Wee Woman]I will be standing where I usually stand on Friday night supporting my team come hell or high water.[/quote]

I think this is what most of the supporters will be doing WW and not a boo in earshot

[BR]

. Sad to say BR that I and my wife cut our losses and left 10 minutes into the second half. Some remark like - "If they can't be arsed playing I can't be arsed watching" was passed.

Good call LK. There was similar analysis done amongst our party, but I'm sad to say inertia won the day until about 75 minutes.

[Judith Harrison]

WeeWoman..my suggestion to you is: DON'T go to the game this week, if u intend boo-ing if team loses..NOR trying to gather support from others, by indicating where you'll be situated at game. "You make no apologies for boo-ing"..indeed, then why go to another match?! Stay right away..the team doesn't need twits like you. It's a shame that u embroil other posters in ur asinine 'who agrees with my boo-ing?' techniques..there's not many sensible people agree with you. From Y.Man : "rude and vulgar"..how right! Such a pity (but perhaps luckily for you!) that I can't be at game..you would soon know where I was seated too..!