Club Statement

[YeltzDoc]

Goodness.

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

[AwayDayYeltz]

Unfortunately this is an exaggeration, and also paints over the appalling actions of club staff who have unprovkingly sent direct messages to fans.

We now have a number of playing staff who believe they're above the club, can act how they want, with little regard to how they're representing this club, and more worryingly trying to intimidate fans.

It's sad that it's gone downhill so quickly.

I simply cannot support this group of players. I'm done for the foreseeable.

[fairweatherfan]

Does feel an overreaction, but at the same time people can't expect to be pals with the players and then abuse them when they fall short of expectations.

Well this has all left me rather dispirited.

[andy]

I have to say this doesn't sit well with me. I'm not sure what was/wasn't said or shouted at the game, personally I didn't hear any. As regards any social media surely if the club know who they wish to speak to regarding any apparent abuse they could do so. There hasn't been any personal abuse on this forum as moderators quite rightly would not tolerate it. This makes me feel an honest assessment of a game such as Saturday may land somebody in trouble, I hope this would not be the case. I imagine there must have been a lot said that I haven't seen or heard to warrant a statement such as this but it feels more like a wedge is being driven between us rather than a pulling together. Massive, massive shame.

[SpongeDad]

Wasn't there Saturday so no comment. But any other game I've been to I've never heard anything personal or inappropriate shouted at the players. Saturday night on twitter I did see one fan calling Jamie Insall a c*nt etc and threatening to break his legs when he sees him. Not something I'd put up with personally. Didn't see anything else I'd deem out of order but I'm not following a lot of fans

[fairweatherfan]

I have to say this doesn't sit well with me. I'm not sure what was/wasn't said or shouted at the game, personally I didn't hear any. As regards any social media surely if the club know who they wish to speak to regarding any apparent abuse they could do so. There hasn't been any personal abuse on this forum as moderators quite rightly would not tolerate it. This makes me feel an honest assessment of a game such as Saturday may land somebody in trouble, I hope this would not be the case. I imagine there must have been a lot said that I haven't seen or heard to warrant a statement such as this but it feels more like a wedge is being driven between us rather than a pulling together. Massive, massive shame.

I agree with this. Part of the reason I prefer to engage with this forum rather than Twitter, however, is because for the most part things on here are far more considered and respectful. Not sure it's the same over on the hell site.

There's a subtext to the statement though, in that a decent number of fans don't like Paul Smith and want him removed. Insinuations that he was to blame for the players not clapping the fans don't help this, but at the same time, I'd question whether he helps himself firing off late night messages to fans he deems not on board.

I just find myself bewildered - surely we all want the club to do well? Why do we seem to keep self immolating like this?!

[fairweatherfan]

I'd add that I stand on the side and heard abuse to Rich Gregory coming from the shed on Tuesday. I mean, come on, Rich Gregory?! Genuinely seems like one of the nicest blokes in the world, got time for everyone, makes an effort with the kids. *sigh*

[VanessaYeltz]

I don’t know anything more than what I’ve seen posted and I wasn’t at the game so wouldn’t pretend to be an authority on the matter, however, as I’ve told my kids several times at this level of football be very careful what you fire off at players and officials - theyre not media trained like the top pros, they’re more likely to hear or read it and even more likely to have a pop back.

If you give it out you should be prepared to take it back - these players have the same lives as us, work for a living, worry about the gas bills etc etc.

Having said that, if players etc are having a few beers then jumping into fans DM’s who’ve simply been constructively critical then that also needs nipping in the bud.

[AwayDayYeltz]

Having said that, if players etc are having a few beers then jumping into fans DM’s who’ve simply been constructively critical then that also needs nipping in the bud.

This is the issue for me. This has definitely happened, it's not acceptable, nor has it been addressed.

The first part of your post is bang on.

[VanessaYeltz]

Having said that, if players etc are having a few beers then jumping into fans DM’s who’ve simply been constructively critical then that also needs nipping in the bud.

This is the issue for me. This has definitely happened, it's not acceptable, nor has it been addressed.

The first part of your post is bang on.

If that’s happened (no reason to doubt you at all) then the statement is daft and has simply inflamed things.

Nothing more needed than agreeing to disagree, acknowledging that we all need to treat each other with respect then draw a massive line under it and all move on.

It’s a passionate game and this can bring out some ott reactions on all sides, to drag it out will make it worse.