I wasn't at the Old Crocs game at the weekend but had heard from supporters who made the journey over that the OC crowd was out of line, abuse towards the ref at levels not seen at Broomfield in the past. Its usually a great atmosphere down there but I've never known it spill over, hopefully a one off.
On the Moortown front though, those in glass houses...
Interesting one this. We had a nightmare first game of the season but notwithstanding with hugely mitigating circumstances which was reflected in the dock. Adding to this I think, for us, the Yorkshire Discipline panel have been first class. Forward thinking, helpful but firm. We reached out to Yorkshire for some Club support as many on here and other vessels all comment on Moortown's discipline and crowd. At a very helpful meeting our data was brought forward. As a senior section, referee satisfaction was in the top 3% of the County, with some very high scores for players, officials and crowd. This is echoed home and away. Our crowd score home and away is fair to mid with some great scores and some room for improvement.
Of late I have taken time away from the dug out and with the spectators that some complaint about. It was very, very clear to me that some opposition supporters simply don't like singing and volume. Some of the language and vitriol that comes back at these young Lads for singing things like "We're Moortown aren't we" is outrageous. I ran touch this season at a top placed Club away....wow! I was chased up and down for 20 minutes and called a cheating see you next Tuesday and the very same Club last season has a spectator removed for calling the girl on the gate a prostitute. Needles to say, the Lady sec of the Club apologised and we took no further action.
The message we are getting is to report this behaviour and make Clubs accountable, which, does go against what we are like as a Club. But, we certainly, as a whole do not treat the officials the way I saw the poor chap on Saturday treated.
Glass houses.....We can see out easier and it's not pretty.
