On the closed facebook group for those of us with SEND kids in Herts this was posted: An awful lot of the posts on the board are *ber-mumsnet and you can probably grasp this by the liberal sprinkling of smilies in the OP. I hope that this was just a misunderstanding concerning the EPL's rules on fan-segregation - was anyone there and can spread any further light on this?
Can I just start off this post by saying the family stand is not a stand where home and away fans are encouraged to mix as they have at Fulham, but is supposed to be for Watford supporting families. The stewards are supposed to turn a blind eye to away fans in there if they're not being "ar5es". There have definitely been incidents when away fans have been in there. A colleague at work has a son who is, as she says, "fully on the spectrum". She is VERY careful of any situation he goes into especially for the first time as it doesn't take much out of the ordinary to trigger monumental meltdowns. I will ask her about this when I'm back in, but surely in this case there is a real issue with sending Man Utd emblazoned kids into the home end and who she herself says was expecting to cheer and celebrate Man U goals? There was always a chance of something like this happening and it could have just as easily been kids giving her lad abuse as well. I'd also question what actually happened as it's very unlikely someone would really be offended by a Man U hat, especially an adult. I would guess that the kids jumping about after the early goal triggered the bloke into saying something, possibly even for their own well being? From what she posted, (you're not joking about Mumsnet), it looks to me like she was totally misinformed about what the family stand is. It's not intended for away fans to be in. BWood, what are your thoughts on this?
Its all about respect for me. I wouldn't dream of taking my kids into an away end in watford kits and cheer when we score, it's completely disrespectful. I'm not against an area in the stand where the opposing fans can sit together trouble free - I think it would be good to discuss the action with other fans and I think there would be a good atmosphere.
that's a great idea. Is it against premier league rules to have such an area I wonder? No doubt it would get abused by some thugs, but it is a nice idea.
Lets hope they didn't get tickets from a STH otherwise that person might be in trouble should the club investigate this incident. Also did anyone notice 4/5 very young and harmless (just as well) run right across the pitch at the end mainly to shake hands with the Man U players at the end of the game. They didn't seem to be approached or stopped at any point!
I fully agree 100% with everything you've posted. I wasn't there - I only have someone's "third hand" account (replete with smilies) of what happened - but I can't actually envisage it taking place as it's been reported. I really can't see anyone (other than kids) saying / doing anything to a "mixed" (teams) family group of supporters and if they did - simply pointing out that the child in question is "autistic" would immediately diffuse any situation. I've mentioned on the FB that I hoped that the entire situation arose from a misunderstanding concerning the EPL's draconian fan segregation rules - especially as the Family Stand is visible on TV. I posted it on here just to discover whether anyone had actually seen the incident.
I wouldn’t take my kid into the home end, especially if it was close to being sold out, as I’d be taking a space away from a genuine home fan. I think the Mum probably doesn’t understand the partisan nature of football. However, if there was adequate space - it’s the family end and it’s a kid. They weren’t being drunk or aggressive (I assume). Who really cares? I certainly wouldn’t say anything, and would be more likely to strike up a conversation about the match. Like you would do in pretty much any other sport. Both are equally in the wrong in my opinion.
It really is very sad to think that a grown man would feel 'offended' or in any way aggravated by the sight of a child wearing another team's colours. Also a little unsettling that such a person is in the 'family' area. The club must make an effort to find this unpleasant sounding individual and, at the very least, warn him about his future conduct. Arguably he should also be reported to the social services.
Bloody hell an eight year old, well this is a new low Why did someone not just take his red hat and give him a yellow one?
Lots of conclusions being drawn on the basis of that mum's account who it seems is relating the whole story on the basis of a text from hubby. In any event, I too find it hard to believe the accuracy of her account and wonder what has been left out. That said, there are eight year olds and there are eight year olds, some are eight going on nine and some are eight going on borstal. The mum's veiled threat to the offended gent may or may not be a clue to the family dynamics. Be interesting to get the guy's account on it.
Having a guess from the mum's version I'm guessing this is a child with a minor ism and the mum sees that everything that is against her child is against her and she is allowed to scream and shout because of her child's situation, meltdown-by-proxy.
Sounds like someone trying to troll their forum to me. If it is indeed real then most likely "it'll be a good idea to take your hat off " for the safety of the kid was possibly mentioned.
