Disgraceful bus behaviour of so called supporters

baldeagle09 · Post by **baldeagle09** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:35 am

I can't comment on the trip back from Dublin as I wasn't on board, however there is a helluva difference between indulging in a bit of banter and the drunk and offensive nature of extreme rugby songs with a tendency to being aggressive and the possibility of sexual harassment. Standing up and dancing in the aisle would be a no no in my book as well!
Obviously there was inadequate or non-existent stewarding. Simple question....Why?. Personally I think there is a silent majority who grin and bear it, but it certainly puts a lot of supporters off from travelling on the URSC coaches. They vote with their feet and either travel independently or worse still, dont travel at all.
I have been on just 2 URSC organised trips - to Glasgow and to 'The Last Stand'. Ironically the latter was well organised and I had a most pleasant day with my partner.
The trip to Glasgow was fine too with ample opportunity to indulge in a few bevies. It did degenerate on the journey home with some offensive singing and put me off travelling. Ironically 'The Last Stand' was after this!
On hearing the news of this latest episode, I dont think I would be encouraged to come back into the fold!
It would be interesting to find out if the numbers travelling are up or down on previous years.

LePaul · Post by **LePaul** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:00 am

Kofi Annan wrote

FDAU: Did one not think it appropriate to approach the chaps and state your concerns ie "I know that you are here to enjoy yourselves lads however this bus has several women and children on board who are offended by your behaviour" I am sure that a positive response would have been the outcome

I would have thought that for dog and ulster's opening statement clarifies this issue quite adequately when he states that

Having correctly identified that their behaviour was offensive they then targeted their abuse at those like myself who did not find it amusing. Since there were a group of at least 8, all drunk and one very aggressive, it would not have been prudent to have responded.

Clearly I wasnâ€™t there, but I would have thought that when someone states that he (or she for that matter) felt threatened then they did indeed feel threatened. The fact, furthermore, that this particular person is a regular on this Forum and was on a bus run by URSC gives clear validity to permit him to express his feelings about this incident. In no way am I making a judgement on the incident I merely respond to your (IMHO) post. As for point scoring - surely that is something that is nigh on commonplace on this board these days and something that we have come to live with and for most carry on regardless.

On a personal level one of the joys of rugby, again IMHO, has always been that going to a match was a family occasion where you could without fear or real concern bring your family, as most of us have done. For one among us to feel otherwise should be something we look to resolve for us all.

And might I suggest that as one given to seeking peaceful resolutions you take this on as a special envoy task.

for all of our sakes.

Rooster · Post by **Rooster** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:31 am

Think Rooster was right in his thread regarding bus 1,2+3 only way around this IMO.

RHH not my idea, it was browners.
Agree with the bit about having a go at Freddie, just don't think it is his style and by the sound of it he was not the real problem in this debacle.

Cap'n Grumpy · Post by **Cap'n Grumpy** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 11:39 am

For the record, can someone confirm that Gavin Henson is not a real Ulster fan, and that he wasn't on the bus?

for dog and ulcer · Post by **for dog and ulcer** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 11:49 am

Captain - a very apt point- Henson is being prosecuted for disorderly conduct. I get the feeling that some posters think I am referring to choirboys on a Sunday School outing. I am not- I have 30 years motorcycle marshalling experience and 35 years teaching experience.

Cockatrice · Post by **Cockatrice** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:08 pm

Cap'n- I doubt it unless he got the e-mail directed at those fans being referred to as being true.

In saying that the understanding here is that some of those involved in this unsavoury incident are season ticket holders and as such are probably some of the true fans that UR wrote out to.

browner · Post by **browner** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:12 pm

some posters think I am referring to choirboys on a Sunday School outing

More like those by Joseph Wambaugh.

jamesie · Post by **jamesie** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:13 pm

Cockatrice wrote:I can assure those that intend to look at this (if indeed they do) that such behaviour would be totally unacceptable for football supporters in those clubs

wash your mouth out cockahoop!!! 'nice-grammar-educated-rugger-chaps' behaving worse than them nasty 'granny-mugging-chavball-supporters' ......surely not!!!

doodle · Post by **doodle** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:17 pm

I had decided that I would make no further comment on this message board, but there seems to be some confusion about the nature of the "incident" which was not a single bout of unpleasantness, rather one that lasted from boarding the 'bus in the car park until the offending parties disembarked on Balmoral Avenue.

I was dismayed that no-one backed me up when I approached the chorus in question. I am a small (if rotund) middle aged woman and I really wasn't fit to take them on alone; they were quite confrontational in their manner - although they completely ignored me. I thought that I must be the only person on the 'bus who thought it was unacceptable.

FDAU was not the only person on the 'bus who did nothing, he is only the man on the 'bus who posted on this forum. In fairness to others they were seated between most of us and the driver so it wasn't going to be easy to make any sort of protest and the fact that there was a small audience of inanely giggling girls was one of the indications that there would have been even more unpleasantness had they been confronted. Their often issued challenge following the singing of,"We're going home on an organised rugby coach." was, "What do you expect on an organised rugby coach?".

I prefer to think that everyone just settled down to endure it and hoped to get home as soon as possible.

I feel that those who were not there should know that it was the content of the songs which was objectionable, the enjoyment of anal intercourse, bestiality, the descent of a young woman into prostitution, the sexual subjugation and objectification of women for sex in general and the putrefaction of Yogi Bear's genitals are not usually topics for discourse in mixed company and not often regarded as entertainment.

I hope that the posters who appear to think that it was amusing are simply trying to defuse the situation and don't really think that it was a "boys will be boys" situation. The fact that there was no steward is immaterial. I am more disappointed that adults have so little self control, such small regard for other people and so little self respect that they would conduct themselves like stars and guttersnipes and be indifferent to the opinions of anyone else. They should not have needed to be told that their behaviour was deplorable.

If I knew who the young men were I would tell their mothers...

Likewise I would love to tell the mothers of the three young men at the back that they were a credit to them.

Could the subject be closed as the opinions of people who were not there are adding little that is useful or positive to the discussion and the matter should now be dealt with by the relevant and appropriate organisation?

edit for clumsy sentence

Tazz #15 · Post by **Tazz #15** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:46 pm

Thank you FDAU and doodle for your very kind words.

Indeed, Colzo, Cairnsy and myself do know how to have a bit of fun and try and cheer ourselves (and fellow fans) up after another dismal ulster performance (activities included are singing of Ulster chants and handing out of quality street!

), and we most certainly do not need to go anywhere near, or even consider, the level of vulgarity and offence created by these galoots on bus 2. Good clean fun can be had without interference by such songs!

Sorry to both of you, and your families, that it ruined your experience, and i hope you dont stop supporting Ulster and indeed going on away trips because of these seven or eight sad individuals.

Gemma · Post by **Gemma** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:59 pm

The handing out of Quality Street Tazz was definitely one of the highlights of the trip - good idea!

GLENN CORNICK · Post by **GLENN CORNICK** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:04 pm

Arghhhh!!!!!!

Someone mentioned Chavball!!!!!!

Cockatrice · Post by **Cockatrice** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:12 pm

I think the point has been made and the time is now to let go and allow Chambers, the URSC and anyone else involved in the booking etc of the buses to provide answers.

I assume that those that used this method of raising the subject did so out of a sense of frustration at there being no URSC representative being available to report it to at the time to.

No point counting them on and leaving them to it, the club should exercise some responsibility and as reported here stewarding had been used in the past so why was it dropped now. In these days of litigation those running these sorts of things should probably be more wary.

Post by **The Fonz** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:37 pm

With those closing sentiments from Cockatrice which are similar to my own thoughts on the matter I am locking the thread as it no longer serves any real usefull purpose and is merely going around in circles, and most views of those involved seem to have been aired.