Getting it off my chest....

So, this is a 2 part post about Sunday.

Part 1:

We won. Good, solid performance from the team, with some nice looking plays. Coupled with the previous nights result, this will have done the lads a world of good. Augers well for the upcoming pair of home games this coming weekend.

Part 2:

This is the part that will piss some folks off.

As I am sure most of you are aware, there has been an ongoing situation within the Phoenix fanbase recently. Mostly conducted via social media and the forum, a divide has seemingly arisen between the so-called 'happy clappers', and the more vocal element of our support who are deeply angered at the recent state of the teams results.

This has become a bit nasty, to be honest, and has even resulted in a player receiving what can only be called personal abuse from a small element of the latter group.

During the past week, a club official made an ill advised comment about 'real fans' on Twitter, using their own personal account, which some took offence at. One thing to note here, I wholeheartedly agree that the comment was uncalled for and very ill advised. This amplified the tensions, and it seems a certain group of vocal fans decided to take action regarding this official during the game.

As said official was doing the announcing for 1 week only, they decided it would be acceptable to use their drums to drown out his announcements. It must also be noted that this official did ask to speak to these individuals before hand in an attempt to remedy the situation, a gesture seemingly ignored. Indeed, during the night, Neil Morris himself came and spoke to one of them in the bar during the period break, which did have some impact

Now, I am a passionate believer in the right of every fan to have and express their personal opinion. Indeed, I believe that this is essential if the club is to grow and learn from its mistakes. That being said, when this impacts upon people who have had nothing to do with any disputes, then I believe a line has been crossed.

The disregard shown to the hundreds of other fans in attendance, many of whom wish to hear the announcements such as scorers, penalties, plus those who made requests for birthdays, showed a disregard for the rights of others. Irrespective of the rights and wrongs of the initial spat, to show such disregard was petulant at best.

Some folks have tried to defend this group, claiming it wasn't deliberate. It was. I saw the tweets from these people after the game, gloating about how it was 'mission accomplished' and how 'normal service' would resume next week.

So fine, its done with at this point, right?

Wrong.

Another fan uses their right to express their dismay (something the group of disruptive fans mentions in their own defence frequently) on the forum. Cue one of their entourage of one of these fans attacking the complainant saying they were out of order. (I believe the actual wording was 'How dare you'). How dare they express their dismay indeed?

Now, sorry if this offends folks, but if you want to be able to express your disgust/anger/dismay in the manner of your choosing, then you have to expect that other people may well hold differing views, and will also expect to be able to express then as best they see fit. That's how it works. Or, to put it more bluntly, behave like a bully (which in effect they were doing), then expect to get called on it by others.

On a personal front, I believe that the actions of these fans were out of order, and any issues they had with the club official could, and indeed should have been dealt with in a mature, grown up manner. The official himself was willing to discuss it, as would any club official (myself included). Was it 'childish and petulant' as one forumite described it? Yes, I believe it was. And with my club official hat firmly off, and speaking very personally, I don't care if that upsets anyone, be it the fans in question, their friends, or hangers on. As I said above, you have to accept that people will express themselves freely, if you wish to express your likewise.

And if anyone has a problem with this, you all know where to find me, and what I look like. If anything I have said is out of order, please do come speak to me on Sunday. I will gladly discuss it, and if you an prove I was wrong in anything I have said, I will apologise right here, for everyone to see.

A couple of bad results.....

And the usual bitching starts up again.

Yes, we were poor against the Bees. Very poor. But the way some folks have reacted is too fucking much. Just because we didn't play well does not mean we were not trying. Sometimes shit just does not go how you want it to. Thats the nature of sport. Win some, lose some.

The simple fact is we are still in the hunt for 3 trophies. Guildford and the Bison certainly wont go from now til seasons end without losing a game or 2. And as for the Cup... 3 players (including our starting net minder) missing, and we lose by 2 goals.... which is a good result. Lets be honest, at the start of the season, if I told you we were going to Guildford with Jorge in goals, and 2 outskaters injured, a 2 goal defeat would have been considered a result..

Sadly, a sense of entitlement is becoming ever more apparent within our fanbase. Yes, we are a big club at this level, but that does not translate into winning every game comfortably. The sooner people get this into their heads the better. And the same goes for this 'I paid my money so I want to see huge effort every game'. That shit isn't going to happen. Everyone has off days. Do you always give 100% at work every single shift? I very much doubt it.

And as for some folks wanting Coach Hand to apologise for the Bees game? Are you fucking serious? You have more chance of me running bollock naked across centre ice at the St Pete Times Forum in Tampa. The only person TH is answerable to is Neil Morris, his employer.

Fuck, we are beginning to sound like whinging Steelers and Panthers fans. The only thing we are 'entitled' to is seeing a team on the ice. Nothing more, nothing less. Some folks should cast their mind back 5 or 6 seasons. We are lucky we got out alive and found a level we can prosper at. Never forget that, folks.

See you all on Sunday!