My complaint wasn't about the abuse levelled at him, it was more about some one telling a fan of more than 20 years to go and support someone else. A fan that's prepared to sing himself ho at Cougar Park when he could have been making money selling burgers from his shop instead. You're right, we've had this debate before and i've made my point that I think the rules on swearing are draconian and fly in the face of why mass spectator sport took off in this country in the first place, namely allowing the working class man to be entertained and let off some steam on his day off from a hard weeks graft. I think it's to detriment of the sport because it sanitises the atmosphere and passion of the game. The law is an

so to speak so I can't justify the use the F word in the context of the "Rugby League is a family game" mantra that we have now, all I can say is that in mitigation for the lad, he'd just seen his team bomb a 12 point lead and was frustrated at a really poor effort from the team that he'd paid good hard earned money for him to support. I admit that I myself let a few choice words rip myself up at Whitehaven earlier in the season, it's very easily done in the heat of the moment. If anything it shows how much somebody cares or can be passionate about the club.




No she was stupid because folk pi55ing off and supporting somebody else is the absolute very last thing this club needs at the moment. Especially fans who have stuck by the club through thick and thin.



True, I'm man enough to dish criticism out and will always be man enough to take it back. You have to understand why it is so frustrating for us, we're trying to create an atmosphere that will bring more down to the Club, we'd love to see other groups join in and share the effort, but it seems a hell of a lot of folk can't be bothered to be honest. At the same time they seem to think that the sun shines out of the players' backsides and that they are beyond criticism on any level whatsoever.



Agreed, in the last few days i've been fired up more than usual due to some unfortunate personal circumstances.

Unfortunately I for one won't be making it down to either London or Bridgend.

You know I usually make most games including Toulouse away last year, but the expense is too much this time around as I've other things to attend that are much more important.

Stealth maybe people, just don't express themselves in the same way as you and your mates.
It may not be a case of not being bothered.

Maybe you're right, but is it any wonder why we can only get manage 1.3% of the town's population down for a 2nd vs 3rd league game at Cougar Park when the atmosphere is as flat as a fart.

But why is it?

Thats the thing i really would like to find out.

I have head this all before - oh yes Joe!!!

I've my own opinions

A lack of 16-30 year olds coming down

Moving on from my first idea, an ageing fan base overall.

The "family sport" concept sanitising the passion of more hardcore fans.

It would probably be a good thing for the club to go and do a bit of market research and find out these things to be honest.

I agree that we need more youngsters coming along. If we got bigger crowds, maybe one are of the ground could then become a sort of unofficial 'family stand', where it would be acknowledged that swearing and abusive language was not acceptable.
Then all the noisy buggers could have a bit of leeway at the other end of the ground. (Near the bar, preferably!).
I can see both sides of the argument; I accept the passion and frustration of fans spilling out, I also don't like to hear effing and blinding around kids and lay-dees.

The atmosphere and chanting obviously improve the larger the crowd.When you get more away supporters coming chanting for their team you always get a better response from Cougar fans.The fact at the moment is in this division the away support coming to Cougar park is'nt going to be that good thats why gaining promotion is my first concern although i'd love to see more people from Keighley coming down.Stealth,for the next home game wear a Gateshead shirt,shout for them and lets see what comes back

Only if I survive wearing my Exiles shirt in the South Stand at Headingley on Friday

You come across as a reasoned poster but here I think you are taking an unbalanced view because it’s your mate. Lots of fans swear but not at a volume that can be heard in Tommy Holmes.

People have reacted to loud swearing in this way at Cougar Park for years, surely your mate knows this or does 20 years give him dispensation? Will he get a bag of free rotten tomatoes to throw for 30 years support, and a set of stocks for 50? I’m being stupid now, but you can see my point.

It seems like you are excusing your mates behaviour based on how “good” a supporter you think he is, whilst not accepting the same mitigation for someone who shouts back at him. Don’t you think that everyone was frustrated with the team’s performance? Maybe they were frustrated by your mate’s constant high volume chelping.

What if others have supported the club for more years than him, put more money into the club, were more loyal, had a bigger shop that sold better burgers etc…etc – does it give them more rights?

If your mate went into the bar after the game and got frustrated because it was busy and he couldn’t get served as quick as he wanted, then shouted “you’re F*ing cr@p” at Mandy, then I think being told to go and support someone else would be the least of his worries.



The singing is brilliant but in my opinion the loud swearing isn’t.

From where I was stood I didn't hear anyone telling him to Pi55 off, however two people said "if you want to talk like that, why don't you go and support someone else".

I could turn your statement around and say that they were justified baring in mind the promotions the club have put on for children and women. The last thing it needs is people swearing loudly and putting them off.

The singing is brilliant the loud swearing is not (IMHO).

That's simply not true. Again we have been over this before, what people think and discuss amongst themselves may be quite different to what they shout during a game at the players. I prefer something motivational to something abusive, but that's only my opinion.

You could see that JD was down after the game, I preferred to comment "get your head up, we are better than this" than "we were F*ing cr@p". But again that's only my opinion.




I hope you get them sorted.

We do have a kind of structure to it.

1. You can't say "Gerrum on side Ref" until your second game at Cougar Park.

2. You can't say "Forrrrrrrrrrward" until you've not missed a home game in 6 months or watched 2 successive Leeds Whinos games on Sky.

3. No one is allowed to make the V for Victory sign and shout " Two! Two! Two!" for a kickable penalty in the first half unless you're Obeone.

4. You can't say "There's two teams ref" until you're in your third season.

5. Saying the word Br*dford or B*lls in any context, including if they're getting beat by 90 points, is forbidden, Dulls or B*llsh***ers must be used ideally the latter.

6. Finally you can't say "Give him a bucket" until you been coming for 10 years.

We don't have anything that covers swearing





Absolutely not. As I posted previously I can't defend the use of the F-Word in the context of the Family Sport mantra the RFL have decided to force upon us, only offer mitigation. Likewise I can accept the same mitigation for someone telling somebody to go and support someone else however daft I think it maybe to say it.

I remember when I was a lad (and it makes me feel far too old saying that given I was asked for ID in Sainsbury's last week) attitudes were so much more liberal to what you could and couldn't say at a game. I used to love it because it was the only place I was allowed to swear and not get a bollocking off my dad, it still is to be honest

. We'd go back in to school and talk about that chant about the referee and who Joe Grima had battered and whether or not we'd washed our hand after Carlton Farrell had given us a high five whilst running down the edge of the pitch.

What i'm getting at is whilst society in general is becoming more liberal Rugby League has become more prudish and in my opinion to it's detriment. Of course there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, racism, sectarianism, bigotry, homophobia, use of the C-Word, hooliganism and other biff that's not confined to the 34 men playing. You've got to admit it was so much better down at Cougar Park 15 years ago.

Jesus,one F word and people go balistic

How many times do you hear it on the streets,in the town,at schools,in the workplace ,in the bar? need i go on?

What about last season when Barry was giving the players what for when letting in a sloppy try. F this f that.Nobody said a dickie bird cause we all knew he was right.Then a couple of seasons ago when we played York and one of the March brothers (god bless em

)dived on one of our players after he was tackled.
We all went crazy and the language was pure filth,me included,once again not a dickie bird

FFS whats wrong with everybody

Now you've opened up a can of worms! I could strongly argue that parts of society are NOT more liberal.



All sport has been. It started with the national effort to curb football hooliganism. I remember being stood in the Longside at Turf Moor as a 14 year old - Things have changed for the better.



Yes it was much better - we had the spice boys.

At a time when alternative comedians were making swearing fashionable, [ithey[/i took football songs and replaced the swear words to such good effect that it was fun - everyone loved them. Kids used to come down just to say they had stood next to them, adults would move to that part of the ground just to join in, when we were away they galvanised our support. They made coming to rugby an event. Sure they swore occasionally and amongst themselves, but they self policed themselves and quite often actually apologised to those who heard them. Lads who got drunk, had fun, and made match day an enjoyable experience for others (except the away team).

I'll say it again, just for those with selective hearing, The singing is brilliant, the loud swearing isn't.

That is simply not true.

I heard the swearing, I told him to shut up (as did at least 30 others) and that was that. His behaviour did not make me want to run on here and complain, because I accept that in the heat of the moment such things happen.

I had no intention of mentioning it on this board, but what I objected to here, was Stealth's apparent mitigation of his mate's behaviour yet condemnation of someone who complained, that's what made me post.



Quite true, and within reason and at a moderate volume, I couldn't give two hoots. I use a few choice words myself.

However, what would happen if:
You shouted in the Bank at the top of your voice "your F*ing cr@p"
You shouted at the headteacher at the top of your voice "your F*ing cr@p"
You shouted at your boss at the top of your voice "your F*ing cr@p"
You shouted at the bargirl in a nightclub at the top of your voice "your F*ing cr@p"
Need I go on



If, at a rugby match you swear conversationally it's unlikely to be overheard, but if a family overhears you, they can at least move a few meters until it's lost in the background noise. However, if you shout at the top of your voice you don't give them the choice - they can hear you everywhere.



Not true. I heard several people complain.



Nothing, what's wrong with you



This is a message board, people have different opinions. It's not the end of the world.

Right I've sat back and read all these posts and now it's time to say my piece,yes it was me that used the F word on Sunday,and I am ashamed of myself for doing so,I have 2 children myself and do not condone that particular swear word on any level,yes I did wrong,I admit it but have to defend myself and those who know me well enough will know that I want the best for Keighley,it was in the heat of the moment of a very frustrating afternoon of rugby,it won't happen again I assure you,one because I'll be making a conscious effort of those around me and secondly,perhaps I'll give up on the singing,95% of what came out of mouth on Sunday was praise and encouragement,the other 5 % was a regretful mistake,oh and Dreamer I did PM you a few days ago apologising,not sure if you read it,anyway that's it.

Top man.....



What a hippocrite I would have been if I'd have entered this debate...!

There wouldn't have been any glass in my greenhouse

I'm sorry Andrew, I didn't see your PM. Have sent you one in return.

It wasn't the swearing that made me post, more the way it was defended. I must admit that once I get drawn into a debate I find it hard to let go until I've had my say.

We all come down to support cougars in our own way and I hope you continue to sing and enjoy yourself.

We are all frustrated by recent performances, lets just hope they can turn it around

Is that as in Hippopotamus ........ or as in [ihypocrite[/i

A joke but not the best what do you get if you cross the all blacks pre match chant and lead singet of wet wet wet.......Acca pellow. Blame it on the booze.

That is a very [idodgy[/i joke.

How very dare you critisize mi spilling..

wee kneed a spel cheque