Club Statement
Posted: 22 Aug 2022, 09:27
Goodness.
https://www.ht-fc.co.uk/club
https://www.ht-fc.co.uk/club
Club Statement
Following our FA Cup Preliminary match away at Romulus FC yesterday, unbelievably we find ourselves needing to make the following announcement.
Given we've only played two league matches (that we won convincingly and played really well) and one cup match (where credit is due to the opposition, who were set up well, played well and stifled our play; and yes, clearly we didn't respond or play well). Proportionality is needed here and fans need to recognise that whilst constructive criticism is the prerogative of any of us, inappropriate abusive comments during the match or made on social media are not constructive or welcome in any form.
As fans, you cannot expect to be close to players and management, as we have encouraged and achieved in recent years, as our results have improved, our fan base has grown and believe that this gives you the right to say whatever comes into your head! However, disappointed, or gutted we may be with the result sometimes, there is no excuse and this never gives anyone the right to say what they think when it is abusive, personal and downright rude and vitriolic - which was some of the comments shouted at players on the pitch yesterday and certainly some of the comments on social media last night and this morning! Astounding behaviour and not something we are going to tolerate at Halesowen Town FC.
This management team and players work incredibly hard at getting and keeping fit, delivering winning performances. Yes they are paid, as its one of their jobs - they also have day jobs and families as well, like the majority of us. They don't step onto the pitch and deliberately not play at their best. Individuals wouldn't make these kind of comments to colleagues at work if they didn't perform, so why is it acceptable at a football match? Players do not respond to abuse and vitriol, ask any psychologist, indeed ask yourself whether you would perform better with shouts of encouragement or shouts of abuse - you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know the answer!
We also have many children and young people at our matches, home and away and these type of comments set a poor example to these impressionable individuals and do not fit with our family community culture that we've always prided ourselves upon. Additionally, some of our older fans do not appreciate the foul and abusive language and behaviour either and want to enjoy the match without this anti-social behaviour that threatens to ruin non-league football.
We all need to step up and stop this toxic anti-social behaviour and recognise that at Halesowen Town FC it won't be tolerated. Please help us eradicate it - if you see it, report it and we will deal with it. Remember, we were the first registered football hate crime reporting centre in the Midlands, working with West Midlands Police.
The players and management team have been requested not engage with fans on any social media platform, which is sad, but appears to be one of the measures we need to take to protect them and the football club.
Anyone, heard shouting or indeed found posting, abusive messages directed at a player, member of the management team, an official, or the football club, at a match or on any social media platform, will be investigated and will be subject to a banning order — not something we want to do, but something we absolutely will do to protect our family community culture and the football club that we all hold so dear.
Up the Yeltz.
Karen Brookes & Keith McKenna
Chairman and Director of Football