After the tragic events yesterday the England international next Wednesday would be a perfect occasion for people to show their respects - an occasion where I think a mins silence is warranted. I will be there abd woukd want to pay my respects
However.. the game is against the Republic of Ireland. It doesn't need me to explain the history of this fixture and the view of a lot of their support in relation to Britain and British troops.
Would a mins silence be a reciepe for disaster on what could be a tense night anyway?
Your opinions?
Mine is have the silence, hope it's observed but show the Southern Irish up for what they are if they dusrupt it.
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There will definitly be a minority who would want their 5 mins of fame.
Big hats of to the Irish following if it is observed, sadly I cant see it.
But I still remember the Welsh disripting the Ken Bigley one at OT in 2004.
The minutes applause really jars me. Maybe, if some hallowed legend dies in his bed at 85 surrounded by his family it might just make sense to celebrate a life well lived. A 20 something British soldier having his head cut off in Woolwich is nothing to celebrate. Only solemn silence is appropriate.
But a lot would be thinking it's ironic that they would be judged for their behaviour at a football match given what happened in Dublin the last time the two teams met.
And then would that mean the no surrender choir would not be singing at the top of their voices?
It's a bit of a minefield in my opinion.
Without going into Dublin 95 to much, despite the appalling behaviour of some English that night, it was not all one way by any means.
And the Irish refusing to even play our National anthem twice was not the best way to 'offer a hand out'.
Will be interested to see what happens Wednesday, as in any other situation there would be a silence and it will be a cop out if not.
I think most sensible Irish would respect it but any Irish can get there hands on tickets for this easily (ie not a controlled and monitored away support like England's usually is now) and most will be on the lash.
I hope it goes off okay cos I think the reaction to them disrupting it would be very bad.
And people talk about tarring all Muslims.
Things have moved on, you only have to look at the Ireland v England rugby match at Croke Park.
For what it's worth I would be very surprised if a silence were disrupted, true Ireland do attract some Celtic/IRA morons but this is a low key end of season friendly that will attract little interest.
The game in 1995 was played under very different circumstances.
And people talk about tarring all Muslims.
I have not tarred anyone.
IF the ROI support did disrupt it, it would show them up for what their views are, would it not? And then their support would be rightly tarred afterwards, just like England's has many times before.
I should point out I obviously don't want that to happen (I want respect for the soldier and his family) but there is still an element within their support who spout the rebel songs curb-it and make their anti-British stance very clear, so I think its a relevant issue to discuss.
An element yes but not all Southern Irish.
I hopefully believe we have moved so much further on since then.
Yes you would have thought peopel would move on but clearly that have not
No, it would show up *some* of their support, but not all of them.