Rohan

Post by **Mike** » Tue Jul 24, 2001 1:11 pm

Rohan, sometimes I agree with what you say, sometimes I don't, but I find that I always take your contributions with a grain of salt.

I don't always do that consciously, but I do know why I do it. The continuing reminder of the importance that you place on your family connection to the Club and the implication that that gives your views added weight, whether it is otherwise merited or not, are enough to make me cynical of almost anything you might say.

Even when you don't mention your family connection in the post, it is always there to see at the top - Rohan Coventry Tateson. I said to you once before that you have every right to be proud of your family name and the contribution that some members of your family have made to the Club. I still believe that, but I don't believe that your family connection makes your point of view any more valid than mine. I have family names as well, I could call myself Michael Lewis Hinton Agar Wilson, because I'm very proud of all those family names and there is a significant achievement in each of them, but I don't, because I'd rather be known for my own achievements and not for those of people who I never personally knew and whose genes are so diluted in me that they are not significant.

Collingwood - the working class Club, has been beautifully and appropriately described by Alf as 'The People's Republic of Collingwood'. The reason that that label is so apt is that our supporter base, historically made up of battlers who have seen the Club controlled and dominated by vested family interests, has revolted against those families and their proprietorial beliefs and installed their own president, Eddie - the people's president. Looking at the Club in that light, can you see that your constant reminding of your personal heritage is counter-productive?

Rohan, be yourself. Your views are reasoned and controversial, let them stand on their own. If you take the family connection out of it people are forced to address the argument directly, rather than relying on the furphy of your family to discredit you.

Footnote: Rohan has just emailed me to say that he has had email directed to him from a user of this BB attacking both his family and his football club (the one he plays for). This board carries many diverse views - if you don't like what someone says, tell them on here, please do not attack them directly and/or personally.

I have never banned a Collingwood supporter from this Bulletin Board, but personal attacks on members will result in banning, regardless of who you support.

mandy · Post by **mandy** » Tue Jul 24, 2001 1:32 pm

I agree with you Mike. I haven't really posted for very long here, but I've read it for a long time.

As soon as I see Rohan's name, I go straight in to see what he has to say. Very occassionally I even agree with him. But I think it's his insistant need to mention his family that incite the people here.

Why does he have to that? And why does he have to think that makes him better and what he has to say any more ligitimate than the rest of us?

ck_nd · Post by **ck_nd** » Tue Jul 24, 2001 2:20 pm

Well said Mike.

Go Pies!

Carol

junkboy75 · Post by **junkboy75** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 5:57 am

Post by **Mike** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 6:44 am

Wonderful post Junkboy, you said what I was trying to say.

I allowed my leftist leanings to creep in. I wasn't casting aspersions on the Coventry name, which is a hallowed name in this club and throughout the AFL, but the name in that context belongs to the men who made it famous - the Club no longer operates on a system of inherited peerage.

I would never suggest that anyone has more or less right to be part of the Magpie army because of their circumstances or background In fact Joffa would argue that I come from a privileged background (Canterbury toff) so I probably have a vested interest in not believing that Collingwood is the realm of the working class.

We're a very cosmopolitan mix these days and there's no place for any form of class distinction whether it be based on heritage or circumstance.

The member / non-member issue also touches a raw nerve with me. I have a perpetually guilty conscience because neither Nick nor I are members this year. It was a case of whether the money was better spent on membership or on this site, and the site won. I still consider myself part of the clan - even without the membership.

junkboy75 · Post by **junkboy75** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 8:05 am

JLC · Post by **JLC** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 8:29 am

I did tell someone on here what i thought yet i was told i should have told them directly ?? Now im confused. I think the best policy is not to say anything at all. I have learnt that the hard way i guess.

APA

EVERYONE IS A COLLINGWOOD SUPPORTER ITS JUST THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE IN DENIAL

junkboy75 · Post by **junkboy75** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 8:40 am

I support freedom of speech as long as it's not personal attacks on people, racist or derogatory comments. sometimes, saying nothing is worse than saying something. but there are ways to respond to people without resorting to the above.

"everyone's a winner hot pies"

Post by **Mike** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 8:42 am

JLC, I beg to differ.

You didn't tell someone what you thought of them, you dropped snide 3rd person comments. What I said then ("Personal attacks or feuds, for whatever reason, right or wrong won't be tolerated on this board. This is not the place for it.") was not inconsisitent with what I said above ("please do not attack them directly and/or personally").

Personal attacks are not tolerated full stop.

I'm not claiming to be consistant in my moderation of this board. I try to be, but I have my days, as we all do, and I'm bound to get things wrong occasionally. I don't like the job, but I do it because without it the BB would die.

Hiya-and-Higher · Post by **Hiya-and-Higher** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 8:44 am

Let me lend my support to the views expressed by Mike and Junkboy75.

Tolerance and courtesy are the strength of any FORMIDABLE group. We here have a common passion. We have the choice in what type of world we want to play in. It's not what we call ourselves that makes us special...it's how we behave towards others...and how honorably we deal with adversity.

JLC · Post by **JLC** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 8:48 am

I have learnt my lesson and i believe personal attacks are uncalled for especially when swearing is involved. If i receive any personal attacks i will let you know.

APA

EVERYONE IS A COLLINGWOOD SUPPORTER ITS JUST THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE IN DENIAL

maggierose · Post by **maggierose** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 9:33 am

Hello out there...

This is my first time here, in fact it's my first time on a bulletin board anywhere!!! I wasn't going to do this but after having read the post on here this afternoon I thought I'd join up and put in my two cents worth!

As a Collingwood supporter for many many years and yes, also whilst living in England for 14 years, I've come across a lot of people who think of us as some sort of subhuman uneducated rabble...they should all read this board I think.

All I want to say is that I'm so proud to belong to a group of people who are fair (for the most part) open minded and egalitarian...thank you so much..it's made me even prouder to belong to the best football club in the world!

Fab4 24-10-26-16 · Post by **Fab4 24-10-26-16** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 9:35 am

Mike and Junkboy probably two of the best posts I've read so far!
Mike and Nick how can you feel guilty or any shame at not having a membership, with the amount of work you must do here? Do you ever sleep?
What you do in keeping this board going is worth more to the club than a bucket load of Legend memberships. It keeps the profile of the club alive and ensures the fans have somewhere to turn to. I turely think the club should help out in anyway possible.

The wait is almost over.

[This message has been edited by Fab4 24-10-26-16 (edited 24 July 2001).]

London Dave · Post by **London Dave** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 10:42 am

Excellent posts Junkboy and Mike. I have tended to agree somewhat with Rohans posts, although I understand the antipathy he generates from some people with his family and football club references.
Nice that we can still remember that everyone is equal at Collingwood.

Well, must rush, off to the Gentlemen v players match at Lords. Rah Rah, come on the Gentlemen!

Post by **Mike** » Wed Jul 25, 2001 10:47 am

Welcome aboard the board Maggierose.

Of course you're proud to be a part of it, it's Collingwood

(but I do know what you mean)

Don't be too concerned about Pies fans being labelled as uneducated rabble, it's all part of the gamesmanship, We love to think of Richmond fans in the same way and Roos supporters (what there are of them) as homeless drifters. All generalisations and harmless until you inadvertantly say it to someone who actually fits the description.

Thanks Fab4, but I've always had that inbuilt belief that all true supporters are members and I'm not handling my lack, and Nick's enforced lack, of membership very well. I suppose it's retribution for my past intolerance.

This is an unofficial Bulletin Board - owned and run by its users. We welcome all fans of the Mighty Collingwood Football Club.

Rohan

Rohan