Topical at the moment, just wondered if any of you come across racism of any kind nowadays at Watford games? I don't come up often, but haven't seen / heard any myself in probably over a decade or more. In the late 80's I was at a game away at Brighton as a 12 year old and witnessed the most racist person (Watford fan) I've ever come across in my life. Even then he appeared to be moved away from, certainly no-one joined in, although no-one challenged him about it.
Away at Leicester under Mazzarri there was 1 racist ***** calling Gomes a few things. Also Palace away under Quique I remember a letter being sent out to all away fans about racist chanting.
There were claims that Nyom was racially abused at West Brom away. I was in the front row and didn't hear anything racist, but a fair amount of abuse.
I go back to the late seventies, and I can honestly say I've never once heard a racist comment at a Watford game. Homophobic yes, but not racist. Even back then Watford had a lot of black players, and they were our best players, such as Barnes and Blissett, so it never was a problem. I know Barnes had a banana thrown at him at Chelsea once, but I've never personally experienced anything like that at Vicarage Road in nearly 40 years.
I have never heard anything vaguely racist at Watford games ... Vitriol at some players even our own over the top at times
I've never heard anything racist at Watford games for many years. Indeed, there doesn't even seem to be even a recognition that many of our players are black. Certainly not on here, where every player gets equally insulted!
I was there and about 5 rows in front of where a racist shout came from when Nyom goaded us after they got their third goal.
I'm surprised you didn't hear any in the late 70's. There was certainly plenty at Vicarage Road in my memory. Loads. Monkey noises especially. It's unrealistic to pretend otherwise.
It was impossible not to hear on on the terrace at Brighton that day. Full on repeated over and over. Small and Codnor (I think that were there names) were scoring against us in a fairly one sided 3-0 defeat and that was the reason for the insults. The guy shouting it out looked deranged.
Unfortunately yes. My mates heard a bloke shouting "black ****" several times loudly this season from where they sit in the the SEJ. I joined them for the Liverpool match and they pointed him out. Unfortunately I recognised him and I'm pretty sure many of you on here would as well.
2 years ago at arsenal the guy infront of me shouted something racist at a black arsenal fan across the way. Away at Charlton in the Oscar Garcia game a friend of mine was abused by another Watford fan completely out of the blue. There are definitely a few out there who seem to lower their inhibitions after a few tins on the train.
I've only heard one racist remark during the last 18 or so years that i've been a season ticket holder at the Vic. Which was from a Watford fan in the Rookery and aimed at Micah Hyde. The guy stood up, started to shout 'Hyde you black..' then sat back down again without finishing. Its a shame that racism has crept back into football given the recent actions of a few spurs & chelsea fans, in this day and age you should be able to go and watch/play in a football match without being racially abused. Having said that, given how tribalistic football is i'm not sure you will ever truly eradicate it fully.
I've heard some once or twice, last time was 20-odd years ago in the Vic when it was our home end, a few rows behind me. I turned around and glared at them but was then jeered by them in return. I didn't follow it up but I know now that if anyone is racist within my earshot I would report them without hesitation. They don't deserve to be called Watford fans and I do not want to be associated with such vermin. What has to happen more regularly is for fans to report this stuff immediately. It's sad to think that those Chelsea 'fans' who abused Stirling the other night only got caught because they were in the front row on a televised match. If they were a few rows back and not obviously seen, or Sterling hadn't mentioned it, would others have reported them? I'm not sure any would and maybe the same applies to our fans (and indeed every club)? I understand that there is a fear of getting involved but someone has to stand up to them. The more people that report them, the more likely they'll get caught & thrown out. That scum in the SEJ who regularly shouts out racist abuse - has he been reported? There's a text number the club has promoted, I've already put it in my phone. The club should investigate and if proven, no second chance, ban him and any others for life. That'd really be 'kicking racism out of football'.
In the case of the SEJ person it would make it a very awkward situation for the club if he was pointed out. If I actually heard it myself then I'd have no choice but to report it.
Couple times over the last few seasons - we've got some real idiots within our fan-base, especially at away games. The one I didn't really get was the letters sent out after Palace away about the Adebayor song?
Stamford Bridge FA Cup game a few years ago. 4 or 5 spotty adolescents stood at the front giving out abuse to an Asian steward. "f''off out our country" "you're taking a white man's job" and "ya f'ing suicide bomber" just some of the delights that came out of their mouths. They'd clearly had a couple of ales which encouraged their act up at the football routine. After giving them the evils (yes i should have spoke to them) i eventually apologised to the steward, to which he smiled and said.. "i get it all the time"
I should have added that having followed us through the bad old days of the late 70's and thorough the 80's i heard very little in the way of racist stuff from our followers. The odd idiot shouting something out but nothing more than that.
Does anyone have a link to details on the text number and how to report issues. I did see it on the screens before a game recently, but cannot find any details online.
If supporters experience any form of abuse or discrimination inside the stadium, please help us eliminate it by texting us on 07825 535269 or by reporting it using the free reporting app created by Kick It Out.
I have heard it plenty of times at away games. Most recently this season at Reading a bloke shouted out Black B*****d at one of their players this ended up in an argument with his black friend sitting next to him. At one game I heard a fan shout racist remarks at an Irish player for a good few minutes. Also didn't a few of our fans get done for racism at Norwich a few years back.
Going even further back I think we had one of the very first black players in league. Roy Brown came to us from Stoke in 1953. To this day he is the best header of the ball I have ever seen. Certainly there was no racism directed towards him from our fans, there was a sort of curiosity as black players were so rare. Totally OTT but his brother later became Lord Mayor of Stoke.
One of my all-time favourite moments at the Vic. The Watford captain and current Player of the Year was bringing the ball out of defence when he was tackled from behind by a black Bournemouth forward. The ref blew for a free kick. Did we hear "You black *******"? No. "Watford reject"? No. We heard "Luther! Luther!". Luther was giving it 100% as always, and that counted even more than a foul against the legendary John McClelland, even if he was playing for the opposition.
Come on, give us a clue! You don't have to name names but, for example, has the mystery racist been given a knighthood in the past 20 years for services to the music industry?
I think it’s absolutely disgusting in any form. It doesn’t matter what colour a person is, we are all the same species and the sooner this is kicked out of football and the world in general the better it will be.
