Sorry folks I have just been approved for submissions and had this post ready for submission so although too late here it is?
Hello to all here who lurk amongst the enlightened.
Recent events have made me feel obliged to crawl out from my hole and make comment on this issue.
I have for a very long time revered this forum with its enlightenment, sacasim , banter but above all, the love of all things Ulster or the White Knights before we became PC!
I like you have been disillusioned over these past few seasons with some of the inexplicable decisions by the management which have lead to the demise of the team we have all chosen to support over the years.
The recent decision by both the IRFU and UR off the back of sponsor pressure, to exile two native players for private immature comments, which are nothing more than male boasting, is without doubt a travesty of any right thinking Justice. Yes the 'private' comments in today's transparent, emotive and victimhood PC society were unacceptable and on balance probably deserved to be sanctioned, but exile!
I have read how some here have decided to attend on Saturday with there own plan to show their disagreement and frustration at the decision. I for one, a season ticket holder for numerous years and a long time Ravenhill attendee cannot find my reason to attend, albeit Tommy's and small Paul's farewell game. Yes the team need support, especially the new blood that's starting to shine, but if we can't show our collective and unanimous disgust and objection to this travesty of justice, by not being visible to the TV cameras and the UR board, then I believe it's pointless to speak of the subject down the road. This is the first and arguably our only opportunity to demonstrate our disgust because by the time next season comes around we will all have mellowed and the IRFU and UR CEO will have played a blinder, in their eyes of course.
Yes it's one game, the last for some senior players, and probably the last of the season but a strong message needs to be sent to the excuse of a CEO and the IRFU, and anything short of empty seats/terraces will not register with them. They can give away free corporate and unsold tickets but they can't fill empty season ticket spots! The TV will control the the onscreen images along with the audible chanting, so a lot of what may be occurring with look-a-like masks, or shirts with sponsors covered, will not be evident to the wider viewing public, what could be evident would be the vacant space and deafening silence?
I feel the official supporters club rolled over on this matter perhaps being too close and not wishing to offend, but the rest of us need at the very least display our disgust!
For those of you who see it differently and are attending remember it's the team your there for and not what is now become a shadow of UR. I feel the guys on the pitch will fully understand and see the possible absence of support for what it is, support for what they must surely want within the club, a CEO who is willing to SUFTUM!
Thank you UAFC for this opportunity and the years of enlightenment.
In addition may I take the liberty to add what has come to pass is an injustice has been permitted without a display of disapproval from right thinking supporters, regardless of wether the 'Ravenhill Two' walked a stupid path.
Having watched this game on TV through a commitment to justice, I have to inform you that all the 'look a like masks', the anti Logan chants and sponsors logos covered, did as others suggested, fail miserably to convey anything what's so ever, even the Beeb referred to a 'good attendance' even though there was clearly less seats filled!
So for what's it's worth Mr. Logan and the IRFU have succeeded, and justice failed, this was the one and only opportunity to display our collective disgust and we failed miserably. So Loganspan is safe in the hands of the IRFU and the muppets up North will continue to flash the cash for their use!