Usmanov

To the tune of Sailing

We’re not stupid; we’re not stupid

We’re not stupid, David Dein

We’re not stupid; we’re not stupid

We’re not stupid, David Dein

In the rough and tumble of football it is part and parcel of the game, the heritage and the culture for supporters of one team to be rude – even obscene – about other teams.   This does not mean there are no limits – most of us feel that certain songs about Tottenham and its Jewish connections are utterly unacceptable, while continuing to call the team’s supporters Yiddos – but the limits tend to go beyond those of every day society.

In effect football came from the streets, and it uses the language of the streets which is not considered to be ruled by the norms of polite middle class society.

This rough and tumble is true in all walks of footballing life and affects everyone from the kid who can’t afford to go to the game but knows all the songs, to the club chairman or owner.  Indeed the better you are the worse it gets.  

Until 2007 everyone accepted this – the guys in the board room might not like it, but they accepted it.  As Mr Hill-Wood, an upper class fella if ever there was one, and the representative of the third generation of his family to chair Arsenal, recognised as much in a telling interview in the Guardian in September 2007, when he spoke of his feelings at hearing 20,000 people chanting “Fuck off Hill Wood”.  Interestingly he did not complain about such an event – he just commented that “it is not something you are likely to forget in a hurry.”

So that’s how it was, and no one so any reason to change this until Mr Usmanov came along and started buying shares in Arsenal.   Because what he most certainly does not like is what he feels is untrue criticism.   Where ever he and his team of lawyers has found it on the internet, they have acted to have the relevant pages removed.

Now I must admit, if someone started saying that I had been locked up for 7 years for fraud, extortion, paedophilia or anything else I would not like it, and indeed I might be tempted to try and stop the person who said that.   But – and this is the key point – I don’t hold any high profile office, I don’t have billions of pounds, and I am not seeking to change the face of the second largest football team in the world.

That is the key point – if you enter the football arena you must expect the shit that flies around in that arena.   We all know Manchester Utd supporters always sing the most appalling song about Arsene Wenger’s past.  There is not an element of truth in it, but they sing it and Mr Wenger endures it each time Arsenal play Manchester Utd.   To be fair Arsenal supporters regularly sing about Martin Jol;’s mother (although the allegation is nowhere near as bad as that made against Mr Wenger.

This is what football is about, and has always been about.  It might cost £30 plus to get into Arsenal where it used to cost 6d but that hasn’t changed the essence of football.

Apart from all the disagreements we have with Mr Usmanov attempting to buy the club, because we don’t want anyone to own the club, this is the big issue.  Mr Usmanov is trying to stop free speech – and free speech is one of the major factors of football.

As the chants against Mr Usmanov grow match by match at Arsenal we wonder what he will do next.  Will we see his henchmen directing the police and stewards to remove the banners, and eject supporters singing “Fuck off Usmanov (cos we are top of the league).”   If so let us all remember that Mr Hill-Wood never did such a thing.

Good on you, Mr Hill-Wood.  I know you are portrayed by some as an old duffer – and maybe you are – but there is honour and dignity there, and when contrasted with others, it shines through in a manner that is utterly rare in football.

Thank you sir.  It is an honour to attend the games.