Lincoln City fans ditch financial backing of club due to 'supporters' foul language'
Two avid Lincoln City fans say they are axing their financial support for the club because they are sick of "persistent foul language from supporters".
Retired Terry and Sue Miller, who moved to Branston in 2002, have season tickets in the Co-Op stand at Sincil Bank.
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Avid fans say they have had enough of foul language from Lincoln City supporters.
They have bought shares in the club and sponsor players every season.
But, after three years of experiencing foul and abusive language from supporters around them and the perceived lack of action from stewards, they have decided to cut all ties with the club.
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"We moved here 11 years ago and decided we wanted to go along and watch the team," said Mr Miller, of Woodside, Branston.
"The whole atmosphere was so welcoming and family friendly so in 2003 we bought season tickets.
"It was in the 2009/10 season that we started having problems.
"There were a group of men sat behind us and one of them had a very loud, booming voice. He would be screaming at players and officials and at times it hurt your ears.
"He said he wouldn't come again if we were relegated so that issue stopped."
The couple wrote to the club twice about their concerns but received no response.
However, a recent fixture against Newport County proved to be the final straw.
"The events at the Newport game led us to our decision," added Mr Miller, 64.
"There were people using all kinds of swearwords towards the Newport supporters for the whole game.
"They were also saying things that in this day and age could be considered racist towards Welsh people.
"I spoke to a female supervisor and she made it clear to me that she was not going to do anything as the club does not have a no swearing policy other than in the small family stand.
"I made a list of events that day which makes for unpleasant reading.
"We want to attend as many games as we can for the rest of the season, but fear that a similar incident could happen," he said.
"If that is the case, we will leave the stadium and request a refund.
"I think that is a fair and reasonable request."
Mrs Miller, 66, said the couple had not taken their decision lightly and was concerned for the future of the club.
"It upsets me seeing the children at the games," she said.
"What on earth is going through their little heads when they hear it?
"We have seen people with children leave at half-time and not come back.
"What sort of a future is that creating for the club? We really love Lincoln City but we have been left with no choice but to withdraw our support."
Lincoln City chief executive Steve Prescott said the club takes incidents of foul and abusive language seriously.
"This season we have had three complaints of foul and abusive language which we take very seriously indeed," he said.
"We monitor areas of the stadium which are complained about and take action where necessary.
"We do value Mr and Mrs Miller's support and would hope they renew their season tickets and sponsorship."
The Imps have an anonymous text number to report incidents.
Text your seat number, row, block and a brief description of the problem to 07530 794710 and the safety manager will take any action needed.
27 Comments
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by eatmygoal
Monday, March 11 2013, 1:47PM
“Not sure I agree with that. I don't like people playing loud music on the train but the day I ask the lad with a hoody to turn it down might well be my last. Perhaps that is because I live in a city where someone got stabbed to death for politely asking someone to stop throwing chips at his girlfriend, but I can understand why you would think twice before approaching someone who is behaving aggressively at a football match and go to a steward who is paid to do just that.
I fully agree though, you hear worse and when I do get people playing loud music on the carriage I tell the guard or move to another one. In this case, I would move stands.”
by DontBuyTheSun
Monday, March 11 2013, 12:53PM
“If the Millers actually tried speaking to the people doing the swearing rather than a steward or the club they might even get somewhere. People are just that, people, and we can all get passionate. If I'm at a game and somebody points out that there are kids or women present, my initial reaction would be to apologize, but also to point out that while I would attempt to curb my bad language from now on, a badly timed penalty decision might make all promises void. Football after all is a game of passion and I can dash and tut with the best of them. But I agree that there is no room for racism, even against the Welsh.
However, as a regular at a Premiership ground with a capacity of over 40,000, I regularly hear fouler language from people on their phones on the bus.”
by Steve_Lincoln
Sunday, March 10 2013, 2:58PM
“Armyoldsweat, I would hardly call myself "young" or describe me as a "balling clown" (though I think you will find it's called bawling, but I don't suppose they taught you English in the army), as I'm in my mid 50's but, hey ho who cares.”
by eatmygoal
Sunday, March 10 2013, 11:03AM
“Agree, foul language and football go together I am afraid. Having stood next to the pitch a few time I suggest the couple don't get too close to hear what the players are saying. I do sympathise with them to an extent but the echo stand is the place to go. Keith himself once asked me to move to the back of the stand at a reserve match when I could no longer hold my tongue watching Tony Battersby.
As for the end of days collapse of society nonsense. 1970s and 80s was not exactly a summer tea party when it came to fans behaviour. Inter city firm of west ham, boiler suits of Leeds, Stretford Reds of Man Utd etc.
Shakespeare itself could give a shock and I suggest stealing well clear of Titus Adronicous...”
by Armyoldsweat
Sunday, March 10 2013, 10:13AM
“Well said Steve laddie. Typical response of the average young shouting and balling clown on the terraces every week. You probably wouldn't know the diference if they played with a tennis ball.”
by Hecky_imp
Saturday, March 09 2013, 10:31PM
“Whist I do not condone foul and abusive language, if you think you can go to any football match and not get swearing or abusive language then you must live in Cloud Cuckoo Land!!! It is not only at Lincoln it happens but you only have to watch any televised games and you will hear such chants by thousands of supporters! I do think your article was very unbalanced in that whilst you made reference to some comments being racist towards the Welsh then why didnt you mention the similar comments being made by the Newport fans towards the Lincoln fans???? Also you fail to mention the number of times you have been offered seats ANYWHERE else in the stadium, away from the offending group,so please, when you are making your moans and complaints public by going to the local press please have the decency to give the full story!!!”
by Steve_Lincoln
Saturday, March 09 2013, 10:28PM
“Armyoldsweat, who cares what the weight and size of the ball is apart from the ref and linesmen.”
by DavidSLincoln
Saturday, March 09 2013, 8:59PM
“This made me laugh, perhaps Lincoln City ought to ban all those that get emotional and use choice language at a football ground. This would then leave these moaners and a few familys to enjoy a nice game of stale sterile football. You couldnt make it up.”
by joimp
Saturday, March 09 2013, 6:44PM
“@whiley45, not sure if u meant me but if u did then u took what I said out of context. I did not mean that Lincoln wouldn't miss the supporters, we need all the supporters we can get at the moment, I meant that the club would not do any thing about it as they can not stop individuals/ large groups, from swearing so their protest will be in vain. Again, I feel that there must have been something else going on as like I said they could have sat in the echo stand if they enjoyed the game so much. I would be happy if the swearing stopped but I'm not holding my breath!”
by Armyoldsweat
Saturday, March 09 2013, 4:43PM
“Touche Bill....but what is the size and weight of an Association Football at the commencement of the game?”