Obviously, I’m as disappointed as everyone else with the result yesterday, and it’s going to hurt for a few days. Due to work commitments I’m not a regular at the stadium, I go to as many games as I can and if I can't make it, I’ll be at home watching every week on Falkirk TV.
Yesterday I frequented the South Stand and sat up the back corner near what now would be described as the choir or young team. Usually I sit at the other side of the stand, but I fancied getting in amongst the atmosphere.
I've got to say, I left the ground yesterday feeling absolutely sick to the stomach about the result, but more so about the conduct of some of our fans.
I should caveat by saying, I’m no prude by any means. Playful jibes at alleged incest from those across the water doesn’t bother me that much, it's harmless fun and I’ve even been accused myself as being a little over the top with my reactions at certain games.
However, yesterday was different. The incessant chants about gassing fifers for 90 minutes was totally sick-making. And then we throw into the mix, shouts at “F*enian c***s” and large section chanting “All the fifers are gay.” I mean, come on.
In 2022, when we want football to be a means of bringing people from all background, gender, race together. It was embarrassing. It genuinely, felt like going back in time, and in that moment I was ashamed to be a Falkirk supporter.
I couldn’t believe that such a high percentage of the chanting was coming from hate for one group people as opposed to love for another. I’ve not got children, but if I had I would not take them anywhere near that section of the stand.
Now some people may accuse me of being too “woke” or a “snowflake” but I couldn’t care less to be honest. I turned up to the ground to support the team that I’ve supported for over 20 years, and I’ll continue to do so.
I couldn’t help but think of the people that turned up yesterday on a one-off occasion being subjected to some pretty cancerous, neanderthal behaviour from a small portion of our fans. Without an already, deep-rooted love for the club, I don’t see they would return - I certainly wouldn’t.
I don’t know how we expect our culture and society to evolve if this behaviour isn’t called out. I genuinely thought we were passed a lot of this. When I got home I thought about one of the great moments before the game, the South Stand belting out A Little Respect by a well publicised gay man… Yesterday we all sang, “Make love, not war.” And on reflection, I couldn’t ignore the irony.
It’s not just Falkirk, every club in Scotland has their fair share of morons and I’d be surprised if there wasn’t the same level of chants coming from the other side of the stadium. It goes without saying, that the vast vast majority were there to support their team and were creating an incredible atmosphere. This was a small minority, make no bones about it.
Like I say, I’m sure people may accuse me of being too sensitive and encourage me to stay at home if I don’t like it - But that doesn’t solve the problem.
COYB.
