I never thought I’d get to the point where the behaviour of my fellow Phoenix fans began to piss me off so much so that all I want to do is (almost) literally begin to crack some skulls together.
Now, I know that the Choirboys are a ‘marmite’ bunch of guys to a lot of fans. For most, you either love ’em or you hate ’em, but in general, most of the Faithful tend to enjoy the noise and banter that they generate on match nights. Yes, sometimes it is childish and puerile, but I think that is often the point. Cheeky without being outright offensive. Obviously, this sophomore level of humor isn’t to their liking, which is fine. If we all liked the same things, then it would be a bloody boring old world. And for some, their banter and chants are often the highlight of the night (at least this season anyway).
But whatever your views on them, can we please stop the nonsense on Twitter and Facebook. And I’m addressing this to BOTH sides. Seriously, it looks ridiculous. a handful of fans who seem hell bent on being some kind of ‘moral police’ for the rest of us pretty much threatening the Choirboys if they don’t ‘stop it’. Tweets in capital letters saying ‘BE WARNED!’, and vague suggestions that season ticket holders are abandoning the club due to the Choirboys antics. Really? If a few puerile chants about Telford selling out, or Sheffield being full of ‘Sheep’ will stop them watching the sport the love so much, then i would rather suggest their lack of commitment runs somewhat deeper. And these ‘threats’ come across as far more childish than anything the Choirboys chant on any given match night. Sometimes I roll my eyes at some of their chants, but thats life folks.
And as for the Choirboys themselves.. well, their handling of this issue hasn’t exactly been a paragon of virtue. Crude insults, and putting peoples full name son Twitter to ridicule them doesn’t help the situation. I know one of their number was aggressively confronted at the rink this week (something I don’t condone), and whilst this possibly wasn’t the best course of action, it is a risk you run when you put yourself out there and publicly insult someone who knows who you are and where to find you. And as for the claims that there would be ‘no atmosphere without us’? Sorry boys (and girls), that just isn’t true. Others would pick up the slack as it were. Yes, you are an important part of the whole Ice Dome experience, but don’t make the mistake of believing you are irreplaceable or vital to it. That kind of self aggrandisement only helps fuel the vitriol from those who have an axe to grind against you.
We used to be a strong, pretty united fanbase. Possibly to the envy of some other clubs. Nowadays, we look like a bunch of spoilt brats tearing each other apart whilst witnessing a bad season on the ice.
All I will say now is if people don’t like the Choirboys, then it is tough shit. They are not about to go anywhere, anytime soon. And to those who have an issue with those who don’t like the, equally so tough shit. People don’t have to like them, and are perfectly allowed to express this (albeit in a more constructive, less aggressive manner if possible).
*Puts tin hat on and awaits the fallout…..
Personally i found the ” sheep song / rhyme ” very funny especially at the playoffs, as for the Telford “selling out ” they’ve got the money and there spending it the same as Guilford has done in the past. So for me the only “team” thats sold out is the E.P.L team. The respective owners know what kind of money telford have at there disposal and yet failed to implement any kind of hard salary cap. So the fans can either hope that telford move to the elite or live with telford winning the league untill a salary cap is implemented.