Sons of Struth speak up!

[MisterC 12,281]

I seem to remember folk were asking why certain fans groups such as SoS had been rather quiet about the partial stadium closure etc. Fear not folks we have a statement! If I was unkind I'd say it does nothing to dispel theories that the SoS are patsies of the board...

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2475790949318685&id=1377493309148460

[B1872 20,759]

Sons of Struth

TO SING OR NOT TO SING, THAT IS THE QUESTION

There’s been many words spoken, many arguments started and much debate about “why us” since the UEFA ban was made public at the end of last week. I’ve seen many blogs and posts which question “what about them” and many claim “it’s not racist”. We’ve all seen claims of “I will never stop singing our songs” and countered with “we need to stop” but beyond all of this, one fact remains. If we carry on doing what we are doing our club will be sanctioned again.

We can argue all we like about the true meaning of words that are claimed to be offensive. We can point to others until we are blue in the face. We can highlight how one sided FARE are or attempt to debate how unfair UEFA sanctions are but none of this will change the fact our ground will be 3,000 bears lighter for an important Europa League play off on Thursday and we face potentially larger sanctions for any repeated reports of similar behaviour.

Many fans suggested this would be the outcome as soon as we started qualifying for Europe again after a few barren seasons. With hindsight it was inevitable and no amount of blogs, posts or shouting in public will change where we are.

So what should we do? There’s only two choices, we carry on regardless or we change. If we carry on regardless then we will see larger ground closures. It’s that simple.

We’ve all seen fans claim “they’ll not stop me singing what I want at Ibrox” and that may be true but regardless of how you view the songs that get us in to trouble, surely this attitude is putting person before club? If walking down the street singing any song of your choice could lead to criminal proceedings against the individual then it’s a matter of personal choice and personal risk but to do so in a stadium in full knowledge that you’re putting the club at risk does seem very selfish for a fan of any club.

I’m not intelligent enough to convince 50,0000 folk how to behave nor influence a full house at Ibrox. I’m not educated enough to fully debate the intricacies of either side of should we/shouldn’t we argument but I’m wise enough to know that if we don’t do something it will only get worse and those who are adamant they’ll sing what they want will jeopardise our clubs future in Europe.

Despite all the above, no fan is better, bluer or more staunch than the next and those taking the moral high ground against others are neither more righteous nor more correct as there are few clear lines in this debate other than to continue will see our club face more sanctions. Some of the words and phrases used buy those on both sides of this debate would make you question if those arguing are actually fans of the same club. As usual polar positions are highlighted more on social media but in the real world I’m convinced the Rangers fans will do what’s needed to protect our club.

If we are completely honest, there’s very few fans who’ve not sung the songs that are causing issue. They’ve been sung by most in homes, cars, buses, clubs and pubs for generations but it’s clear now that some of these songs will cause more grief for the club if they’re sung in stadiums. To point the finger at anyone who sung them yesterday proves pointless and to apportion blame is futile. It’s what we do tomorrow that’s important.

WHAT MAKES YOU A BIGGER FAN?

Continuing to sing them in an act of defiance and standing up for my rights or finding other ways of supporting my club vocally? I understand both stances but I know what choice will protect my club.

We’ve a long tradition as fans of putting our club before most other things in our life. Hopefully we do the same again on Thursday.

[eejay the dj 31,964]

Clearly given the aporoval of the board 

 

[MisterC 12,281]

1 minute ago, B1872 said:

Sons of Struth

TO SING OR NOT TO SING, THAT IS THE QUESTION

There’s been many words spoken, many arguments started and much debate about “why us” since the UEFA ban was made public at the end of last week. I’ve seen many blogs and posts which question “what about them” and many claim “it’s not racist”. We’ve all seen claims of “I will never stop singing our songs” and countered with “we need to stop” but beyond all of this, one fact remains. If we carry on doing what we are doing our club will be sanctioned again.

We can argue all we like about the true meaning of words that are claimed to be offensive. We can point to others until we are blue in the face. We can highlight how one sided FARE are or attempt to debate how unfair UEFA sanctions are but none of this will change the fact our ground will be 3,000 bears lighter for an important Europa League play off on Thursday and we face potentially larger sanctions for any repeated reports of similar behaviour.

Many fans suggested this would be the outcome as soon as we started qualifying for Europe again after a few barren seasons. With hindsight it was inevitable and no amount of blogs, posts or shouting in public will change where we are.

So what should we do? There’s only two choices, we carry on regardless or we change. If we carry on regardless then we will see larger ground closures. It’s that simple.

We’ve all seen fans claim “they’ll not stop me singing what I want at Ibrox” and that may be true but regardless of how you view the songs that get us in to trouble, surely this attitude is putting person before club? If walking down the street singing any song of your choice could lead to criminal proceedings against the individual then it’s a matter of personal choice and personal risk but to do so in a stadium in full knowledge that you’re putting the club at risk does seem very selfish for a fan of any club.

I’m not intelligent enough to convince 50,0000 folk how to behave nor influence a full house at Ibrox. I’m not educated enough to fully debate the intricacies of either side of should we/shouldn’t we argument but I’m wise enough to know that if we don’t do something it will only get worse and those who are adamant they’ll sing what they want will jeopardise our clubs future in Europe.

Despite all the above, no fan is better, bluer or more staunch than the next and those taking the moral high ground against others are neither more righteous nor more correct as there are few clear lines in this debate other than to continue will see our club face more sanctions. Some of the words and phrases used buy those on both sides of this debate would make you question if those arguing are actually fans of the same club. As usual polar positions are highlighted more on social media but in the real world I’m convinced the Rangers fans will do what’s needed to protect our club.

If we are completely honest, there’s very few fans who’ve not sung the songs that are causing issue. They’ve been sung by most in homes, cars, buses, clubs and pubs for generations but it’s clear now that some of these songs will cause more grief for the club if they’re sung in stadiums. To point the finger at anyone who sung them yesterday proves pointless and to apportion blame is futile. It’s what we do tomorrow that’s important.

WHAT MAKES YOU A BIGGER FAN?

Continuing to sing them in an act of defiance and standing up for my rights or finding other ways of supporting my club vocally? I understand both stances but I know what choice will protect my club.

We’ve a long tradition as fans of putting our club before most other things in our life. Hopefully we do the same again on Thursday.

Many thanks, I tried to copy and paste but didn't quite manage!

[SeparateEntityMyArse 53,752]

"I’m not intelligent enough to convince 50,0000 folk how to behave nor influence a full house at Ibrox"

😂😂😂😂

 

[MisterC 12,281]

2 minutes ago, SeparateEntityMyArse said:

"I’m not intelligent enough to convince 50,0000 folk how to behave nor influence a full house at Ibrox"

😂😂😂😂

 

I laughed at that too

[Malvern 11,329]

Well it is the board that SoS wanted so of course they will not point a finger at them and ask some questions.

[Virtuoso 27,180]

9 minutes ago, eejay the dj said:

Clearly given the aporoval of the board 

Nod nod, woof woof.

Expect much of the same from C1872 🙄

[graeme_4 34,613]

Not the biggest fan of the SoS, but not much I disagree with in that.

[bluenoz 30,904]

weak.

[rabc10000 5,061]

Went to post and forgot I'm banned or whatever from posting on their page

[McEwan's Lager 30,545]

.

[dougie76 15,359]

12 minutes ago, graeme_4 said:

Not the biggest fan of the SoS, but not much I disagree with in that.

Same.

[Blue Avenger 22,567]

Oh well, sorted!

What unadulterated pish that was.

Back under their rock they crawl.

 

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

Times like this it’s good to remember why you liked the SOS so quiet. 

Feel free to resume the silence. 

[eejay the dj 31,964]

2 minutes ago, Courtyard Bear said:

Times like this it’s good to remember why you liked the SOS so quiet. 

Feel free to resume the silence. 

😂😂

[Zulu 981]

Fukin snowflakes

[Reformation Bear 6,453]

So the basic message is don't sing in a way that the Chairman of Rangers, the directors of Rangers, the execs of Rangers, the Manager of Rangers and now the voicepiece of SOS find offensive...... an offence is imported into their current way of thinking via UEFA.      Or else.

It'll be interesting to see how well this message is received and acted on by the Support at the game on Thursday...…...and at the OF game at the weekend...…...and at the next European games if we qualify...……..and at domestic games throughout the rest of the season.    

Its also worth noting that the author refers to hindsight (see extract from the statement in italics below - text in bold by me).    

Frankly the Chairman and his Board and his execs - or even Supporter groups -  should not just be looking at things in hindsight and reacting as though they've just been ambushed by some unexpected event.    IMO there is a fundamental failure by King and his Board to anticipate this sort of risk and grasp the seriousness of the matter far more thoroughly and proactively far earlier.   I think they just hoped that things would just muddle along and hope nothing serious would happen.   

Then when it does the only approach they seem to be willing to take is to issue a statement and then shelter behind the skirts of this type of SOS statement in the hope that some attempted leverage by fans groups will somehow do the trick.      So much for top quality pro-active leadership by the Chairman and his directors.    Why do some serious work with the Support to reach a long term definitive resolution when you can get fan groups to do a bit of lapdog type barking and see if that does the trick.

The Chairman and his directors appear to me right now to be prepared to go for a lucky throw of the dice and hoping that it lands double 6.  Meaning that with the King statement and the manager's words and fan group words they hope a double six wins them no more trouble from UEFA and no more trouble from domestic football authorities.     They are gambling when they should have been far more pro-active in leading before it came to this.      Maybe its all too difficult for them and all they are left with is dishing out 'don't be naughty' notices and hoping that fans groups will somehow magically do the heavy lifting on this for them. 

We'll see if it has any effect and if they can make their pleas stick on Thursday …...and then again at the OF game......and then again at future European games if we qualify...….and then again at the rest of the domestic games for this season.

 

"...............….Many fans suggested this would be the outcome as soon as we started qualifying for Europe again after a few barren seasons. With hindsight it was inevitable and no amount of blogs, posts or shouting in public will change where we are.   So what should we do? There’s only two choices, we carry on regardless or we change. If we carry on regardless then we will see larger ground closures. It’s that simple."

[Virtuoso 27,180]

Not one comment on the lack of impartiality from FARE 🙄

[Sparkle 53,611]

1 hour ago, SeparateEntityMyArse said:

"I’m not intelligent enough to convince 50,0000 folk how to behave nor influence a full house at Ibrox"

😂😂😂😂

 

Oh the irony 

[Craiggybear 6,192]

Just now, Sparkle said:

Oh the irony 

The place is gonna be a library on Thursday with just 497,000 in attendance. 

[gogzy 31,195]

First sensible thing I've ever seen them post.

[Siam69 26,962]

Nothing wrong with what it says.

Esky said basically the exact same in a post last night. I don't remember anyone posting responses to him like the above.

 

 

[rabc10000 5,061]

1 minute ago, Siam69 said:

Nothing wrong with what it says.

Esky said basically the exact same in a post last night. I don't remember anyone posting responses to him like the above.

 

 

Aye but he gets a lot more respect from most members in here than those idiots from SoS 

[LochendBilly 8,413]

15 minutes ago, Sparkle said:

Oh the irony 

I'd love to see the invoices Mr SoS sends to the club for "Security" services rendered.