Statement from President on Chanting

Peggy wrote:

Argyle Against Racism wound itself up some years ago, because we'd achieved our aim of getting the club to take the issues on board and promote anti-racism. Had we known what was going to happen in the last eighteen months, when understandably other things have taken precedence and some of the key people have left the club, we'd have kept going.

There is a lesson here, though. First, there's no need to reinvent the wheel: there's lots of fans with lots of experience of educating and campaigning on this - AAR was a big group which worked on cooperative principles. Second, the fact that some of those fans are disliked by some of those in the inner circle means that experience isn't being utillised - to the detriment of the club as a whole.

Sounds like there *is* a lot of experience in this issue that could be drawn on.

I'm sure whether I'm involved or not it'll be something the new Trust Board will ensure is foliowed up, and quickly.

Just an idea but what if we as a forum took the lead and a stand and instead of "Argyle against racism" we set up "ATD against racism" and even included it in the advertising hoarding we maybe going for?

GOB wrote:

As you know Peggy and as we've discussed, I was in the past against the setting up of AAR. Now I think there's a very legitimate reason for its existence. What's the chances of "reinventing" that wheel, I think it's going to be needed?

I agree: with hindsight, it's a shame we didn't keep going all along: we'd have been all over it after the first allegations (at the Torquay match, I think) rather than waiting for what? the fourth?

In theory, there's nothing to stop anybody getting things going again. In practice, though, I think there are loads of obstacles. Far better in my opinion that the club pick things up again with the Trust keeping a watching brief.

I guess it'll be one of the reasons why the Trust will exist, maybe it would be good for the Trust to take it on and work in-conjunction with the club? - I think it would be a good initial thing for the Trust to pick up on but we can't expect them to do it without help from the membership and as Tim states, there's a hell of a lot of experience about with a few of us trained for such things!

Meanwhile, back on the advertising board, did you get a look on Saturday GOB?

GOB wrote:

I guess it'll be one of the reasons why the Trust will exist, maybe it would be good for the Trust to take it on and work in-conjunction with the club? - I think it would be a good initial thing for the Trust to pick up on but we can't expect them to do it without help from the membership and as Tim states, there's a hell of a lot of experience about with a few of us trained for such things!

The Trust can within its rules set up subcommittees for specific things so that help can be formally brought in. That might more normally be for areas such as membership or fundraising, but it could equally be for a Kick It Out initiative. Something for the new Board to consider anyway.

The club really needs to take the lead and pull, rather than the Trust doing all the pushing.

Let's see what Chris' full statement says later this week.

Tim Chown wrote:

GOB wrote:

I guess it'll be one of the reasons why the Trust will exist, maybe it would be good for the Trust to take it on and work in-conjunction with the club? - I think it would be a good initial thing for the Trust to pick up on but we can't expect them to do it without help from the membership and as Tim states, there's a hell of a lot of experience about with a few of us trained for such things!

The Trust can within its rules set up subcommittees for specific things so that help can be formally brought in. That might more normally be for areas such as membership or fundraising, but it could equally be for a Kick It Out initiative. Something for the new Board to consider anyway.

The club really needs to take the lead and pull, rather than the Trust doing all the pushing.

Let's see what Chris' full statement says later this week.

The trouble is, Tim, by the time the new board is announced, meets, sets up an AAR/Kick It Out group/committee, that committee meets, well, how much time will have passed, and how much might the problem have escalated?

The club and the Trust need to get together asap (preferably this week) to start a campaign to rid the club of this problem. I'm happy to make myself available to do any work that's required. I'm sure others are too.

Fair comments Tim, it's no good the Trust running before it can walk but I also agree with Andy, the problem seems to be growing at each match that is played and needs addressing sooner rather than later.



Cerbs I did. I would say the prime location would be facing the pitch on the Mayflower side and therefore facing the Lyndhurst, but I expect the cost would be significantly higher? Failing that then yes, the Lyndy facing in would be the second best location. What do you think? - Maybe a different thread?

Newell has said he will carry on calling people on here freaks and weirdos.
So he can say things like that but no one else can??

katman wrote:

Newell has said he will carry on calling people on here freaks and weirdos.
So he can say things like that but no one else can??

I've come to love the names.

katman wrote:

Newell has said he will carry on calling people on here freaks and weirdos.
So he can say things like that but no one else can??

It's got to the stage now that every time Newell says that, people are realising that it says so much more about the type of person he is, rather than the people he's trying to insult.

Andy_Symons wrote:

katman wrote:

Newell has said he will carry on calling people on here freaks and weirdos.
So he can say things like that but no one else can??

It's got to the stage now that every time Newell says that, people are realising that it says so much more about the type of person he is, rather than the people he's trying to insult.

Like Andy says, I think it's just accepted now that everytime Newell opens his big mouth it says more and more of what the type of person he is and more people are realising everytime.

His little snipes at people like Andy and his dig at me last week are seen for what they are, hot air from behind a keyboard. One day though somebody will take him up on his invite of meeting in person and it will bite him on his arse.

Unfortunately the controversy this issue is causing right now will encourage a certain sector of our society/support to step up their efforts to "make a name for themselves", they might not even be the appropriate "ists" but thrive on the attention they gain. I fear it'll get worse yet.

Charlie Wood wrote:

Unfortunately the controversy this issue is causing right now will encourage a certain sector of our society/support to step up their efforts to "make a name for themselves", they might not even be the appropriate "ists" but thrive on the attention they gain. I fear it'll get worse yet.

I do agree with you Charlie, we're highlighting it to a degree.

I'm in favor of bringing this kind of behavior to the surface because it gives us the chance to counter it and hopefully change opinions. The problem here that you rightly point out, is that we're also providing those that encourage such behavior a focal point.

There are bigots that will never see the light of day regarding this topic and we will never change their opinion, but I hope that the younger and more easily influenced will pick up on the debate and gain an understanding that the vast majority of societies members consider this behavior as unacceptable.

There will always be the folk you'll never change, and racism has never gone away, they are just corralled into a tight corner waiting for the world to spin around.
It is a good thing when sites like this one, the Trust and hopefully the club stand together and show everyone just what the huge majority of people think is right.

Is there still nothing on Pasoti?

Cerbera wrote:

Is there still nothing on Pasoti?

It's in their sign up policy, apparently.

Andy_Symons wrote:

The trouble is, Tim, by the time the new board is announced, meets, sets up an AAR/Kick It Out group/committee, that committee meets, well, how much time will have passed, and how much might the problem have escalated?

That's probably true. I would hope the first Trust Board meeting could be this coming weekend. One of the first topics needs to be roles and initial thoughts for co-optees and subcommittees.

Quote :

The club and the Trust need to get together asap (preferably this week) to start a campaign to rid the club of this problem. I'm happy to make myself available to do any work that's required. I'm sure others are too.

Let's see who is on the Trust Board come tomorrow and take it from there.

Rather than sit around and wait for committees to be formed and Boards to be elected, I've contacted three anti-racism organisations - Searchlight/Hope Not Hate; Kick It Out (the anti racism campaign backed by the PFA) and I've spoken to my friends and colleagues at Plymouth UAF - asking for practical help and assistance in organising to combat these problems.

As I get more information back from each I'll post it here so that people know what these three groups can offer by way of literature, displays, posters, and some sort of campaigning presence at games.

I have mooted this on Pisoti and got ignored but everybody is forgetting the fact there is already a body of people equipped to deal with this problem and as we actually pay them to attend our matches lets demand that they sort it out. I am talking about the police, instead of videoing me and my mates/family whilst we enjoy the game why don't they deal with this problem? They could easily have a plain clothed officer in the section where it's happening, even if they don't press charges they can caution someone and pull them from the game and then that's it, you have been warned. Coppers, sort it out!

Couldn't resist the emote.

Any official statement should come from someone in authority at the club, I would suggest Brent, statements coming from Webb will only fuel the argument.

While we are on the subject of banned chanting; I want to see an end to 'Pasties and Cider', and 'Ooh arr, it's Ambrosiarrrrr'. Frankly I feel very uncomfortable in the presence of these two footballing, non-gems.

Andy_Symons wrote:

Rather than sit around and wait for committees to be formed and Boards to be elected, I've contacted three anti-racism organisations - Searchlight/Hope Not Hate; Kick It Out (the anti racism campaign backed by the PFA) and I've spoken to my friends and colleagues at Plymouth UAF - asking for practical help and assistance in organising to combat these problems.

As I get more information back from each I'll post it here so that people know what these three groups can offer by way of literature, displays, posters, and some sort of campaigning presence at games.

Thanks for that Andy, much appreciated. The sooner people realise it's not open season at Home Park, the better.

hmdr wrote:

Any official statement should come from someone in authority at the club, I would suggest Brent, statements coming from Webb will only fuel the argument.

Edited what I previously posted as I see Chris is trying to seek help from Peggy via Andy. Well done Mr President!

Good work also Andy_S.

penzancepirate wrote:

Andy_Symons wrote:

Rather than sit around and wait for committees to be formed and Boards to be elected, I've contacted three anti-racism organisations - Searchlight/Hope Not Hate; Kick It Out (the anti racism campaign backed by the PFA) and I've spoken to my friends and colleagues at Plymouth UAF - asking for practical help and assistance in organising to combat these problems.

As I get more information back from each I'll post it here so that people know what these three groups can offer by way of literature, displays, posters, and some sort of campaigning presence at games.

Thanks for that Andy, much appreciated. The sooner people realise it's not open season at Home Park, the better.

Yup, thanks, and looking forward to see what they say. I *think* Gareth may have already spoken to Kick It Out, but I may be wrong.

Tim