Having supported RL for my adult life (so far) I can't recall any racially motivated barracking or booing. Am I wrong and have I missed it?
Spelly has a massive supporting history, any thoughts or correction of my memory?
What puzzles me is that the sport-supporting RL and soccer crowds are from similar backgrounds so why is there such a difference in response?
I can definitely remember some individuals/small sections barracking black players including making monkey noises. Though this is going back to the 1980s. Nothing remotely recent.
I suspect Martin Offiah might have a different perspective on this one.
Having supported RL for my adult life (so far) I can’t recall any racially motivated barracking or booing. Am I wrong and have I missed it? Spelly has a massive supporting history, any thoughts or correction of my memory? What puzzles me is that the sport-supporting RL and soccer crowds are from similar backgrounds so why is there such a difference in response?
I've heard no booing mate. In fact I've mentioned summat on RL Fans Facebook, that on Sunday at York, both sets of fans were singing up to the "knee" but you could've heard a pin drop, when the ref blew the whistle.
If you can't keep quiet for a few seconds when asked to, you shouldn't be in the ground in my opinion.
Spelly.
I think you must have missed it Sandgroper, particularly in the 70's and 80's.
As for the knee, if the players want to show some solidarity in their opposition of racism and to promote racial equality, fans should at least respect that, but it is a free country.
Fans booing players "taking the knee" seems to be more of an issue within football, but I am with Spelly on this one. Just respect the message and be quiet for a few seconds.
My short term memory isn’t what it was .....l Tony Clubb anybody ?
Thought the original post referred specifically to fans.
I remember Josh Charnley been welcomed to Widnes with the loud chants of “gypo, gypo, gypo”. Ultimately, surely the abuse Charnley experienced was the most appalling racial incidents in recent times. But because he ain’t black, it was never highlighted.
Martin Offiah was subject to racial abuse every single week back in the day, I seem to remember Castleford, Hull and Wigan being the worst culprits for it ...Ironic really considering Wigan had Henderson Gill and Ellery Hanley in their ranks, Castleford had David Plange in theirs,and One of Hull's greatest ever players was of course...Clive Sullivan.
At the time, I put it down to pure jealousy because Offiah was light years ahead of every other winger in the game.
The jealousy wasn't confined to the supporters either, I seem to remember Offiah was the subject of a long running feud with Castleford winger St.John Ellis.
I remember Josh Charnley been welcomed to Widnes with the loud chants of “gypo, gypo, gypo”. Ultimately, surely the abuse Charnley experienced was the most appalling racial incidents in recent times. But because he ain’t black, it was never highlighted.
It was never highlighted because it WASN'T racial abuse.
The gypsy lifestyle is a culture, not a race.
Thought the original post referred specifically to fans.
I don’t think racism would recognise the difference between a fan and a player really (and nor should it imho)
Not having a go MT, just saying that the fight against racism and most other forms of discrimination is all pervasive.
I seem to remember Offiah was the subject of a long running feud with Castleford winger St.John Ellis.
He was one of those shithouse players who couldn't get anywhere near Offiah.The closest they could get to him was when he stopped running to slide over the try line at which point they would take the opportunity to put knees into his ribs, disguised as a tackle attempt.
Some good points.
I feel that part of the problem is some white fans think it's up to the them when black people and other people of colour have had there say.
Really hope the euros can knock all this shite on the head and pull the country back together having watched the 96 euro Alan shearer doc.