Yes mate i understand and respect your stance mate and standing up for what you believe in. I'm older and a lot wiser nowadays mate. I;ve learnt to pick my battles and try and focus on and throw everything into the ones that i can win. The knee thing was not a damage free win. The booing did cause us problems and unwanted attention when we didn''t need it.
It has caused issues here and there and i've seen proper fall outs because of it. Example of how it can have a negative affect- my mates wife had a work mate call her a racist cause he follows us. She read about the booing. That's fucking outrageous mate but you can understand how easy it is to tar us.
Saying that, i will admit that had all of that happened 5/10 year ago i would have booing too. No fucking doubt about it.
And as it happens it didn't do the damage that was widely predicted, Such as- no black player will sign for us- Tell that to Afobe, Tanganja, N Cuffey, Harding, Esse, Emakhu, Obafemi, Bennett, Boateng,Topolloj , Addai,, Adom Makaili, Mckay, Smith, Walker, Akoli, Banguru Williams, Lawson . Abdulmalik, half our acadamy and Aiden O'brien*
Gates are up, families we bring, countless black parents with their kids, black women with their young boys/ kids and all sorts of hipsters, Ruperts and plumby couples that wouldn't come near our stadium if it was how the media still fucking lazily stereotype us.
We've been a multicultural club/ fanbase for decades. Remember our firm coming out of New street bout 20 year ago. The main OB looked at us bowling out and says- fuck me they've got more blacks than our lads firm
He also wished some of us luck cause he obviously hated them. We had an eventful evening to say the least. Moody gaff and their lot a right handful most of the time.
Again mate i can only agree with the sentiment but we know what happens next regardless. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what they wanted from us because at the time they can say this is why we do it- racism exists- job done. The wiser me wouldn't give them the chance of that cause if you just ignore them we've won cause it's fallen on deaf ears. Stick you fucking stereotypes up your hairy pipes- Advantage us.
I think Kavanagh was on a hiding to nothing. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be him at the time. I will defend him because during his tenure we've been a success on and off the pitch. This time last season we were in the top six and getting big crowds, We're a competitive and established championship club. If he'd due flack for shit that's happened under his watch then i feel it's only right that he also takes the credit when it's due.
I can tell you that he done some wonderful stuff and stood up to be counted when Mr Berylson passed away. They were good friends as well as colleagues. I have it on good authority that he and Rowett as it happens went way beyond the call of duty to pull our club and some of it's people through a very dark period.
He is top notch when our armed forces and veterans are concerned. He has a bit of clout too. I have never met him. I don't have to like him but i respect him for what he does in his working hours for our club. It really is a thankless task and he bats our corner well in the main.