The Diary looks at the Poppy Day Massacre Fall Out.
Neil Doncaster is a man with the air of a Grange Hill sixth former left in charge of the tuck shop at the end of year disco. He has been allowed out to comment to the media while the rest of the gang get drunk on cider.
“We have invited comments from Celtic, Hibernian and Hearts on the back of the of the weekends events” he trumpeted. You now need to ask why R*ngers haven’t been asked to comment regarding the banned chanting at the recent derby game. I’m all for a bit of smoke bomb action and peaceful protest.
The movement from the press is towards that the protest breaches the SPL’s rules forbidding political demonstrations. It would seem they want blood. They may as well shot a passing cat.Â
Doncaster refused to comment on this only saying that “all 12 of the SPL clubs will be wearing poppies on their shirts next weekend in support of Poppy Scotland for the third year in a row“.
His refusal to comment is telling. If you bring a symbol that is used for political means then you get a protest that can be termed political. No blood can be spilled over this as it would be hypocritical of the SPL.
Incidentally, this will be the last year as Poppy Scotland state that they don’t want the Poppy being devalued by being over exposed. The end of Poppy Fascism is nigh but that hasn’t stopped the people who took part in this peaceful protest being called thugs, morons and louts by those whose moral compass is set to hate anyone that doesn’t follow the party line. The irony eh?
The overall comments seem to suggest that this protest is not in-keeping with the general public’s view. No, it’s not in-keeping with certain papers editorial view and if they look at the comment sections on their own and other websites they will see that thousands even millions agree with the overall sentiments of the banner.
Celtic released a statement. “We are currently investigating the matter and, clearly, apologise for any offence caused” and have vowed to ban those involved, Well, they do know their names and addresses. Â
You have to wonder if they are also apologising to those who tried to discuss the matter with the club but were meet with a wall of silence?
You have to wonder why none of the major news agencies, which reported this matter picked up on the spelling mistake? No proof readers or it didn’t suit the agenda to point this out?
And if they are demonising those who took part can they ban John Reid for causing it?
The Poppy is proving to be a decisive symbol. Time for it to be reclaimed for the purpose it was meant for and it wasn’t meant for being put on ANY football kits or to gain political favour.
Here ends the political broadcast.
I must be honest I still prefer a tulip.
From Amsterdam? We done that joke?
@LOTW
Aye but im sick of bloody poppies.
….Oh I will probably be lynched for that ^^^^
Traitor.
Can’t agree with you mate. I don’t want the poppy on the Hoops any more than any GB member. The board fucked up 2 years ago (when Reid was still in Government) and should have made a stand then.
However, it’s a done deal for one more year, and any protest now is just teenagers slamming the door when sent to bed.
Last week I felt that we were united as a support and out to get the SFA. For the first time in my life we had them on the run. This self-indulgence has just given them a break.
I have never bought a poppy and never will. I’ll not call the GB “thugs, morons and louts”. However, I will call them a shower of pricks.
Have to agree. Fan opinion is really polarized on this and I feel it’s split us right down the middle. Granted, it doesn’t take much for us to be put under the spotlight, but this display was idiotically bad timing.
When was a decent time?
As I said on another thread the board done fuck all so not to damage the brand as then we might not get invited to Lincoln for friendlies and such.
Celtic shooting themselves in the foot from a position of power? We have never done that before.
its a disgrace banner waveing, for people dying for their country and to stop terroisim on our streets to protect the morrons waving the banner, poppies for heros shamrocks for zeros.
your spelling is a disgrace.
As was the gullibility of the sentiments.
The poppy has been used by those wishing to turn the so called British hero soldiers into secular deities. The GB only articulated what many if not the majority of us felt.
Putting the poppy on the hoops………..given our history IS a political act in itself, thus requiring the kind of principled response that was given.
Someone earlier condescendedly dismissed the GB as spotty teenagers slamming a door. If so then they grew up during the Aberdeen game