Petrov has Leukaemia

[PeterWithesShin]

It's not grief applause though is it. It's showing support for one of ours. I'm surprised people find that giving up a minute of their life every couple of weeks to clap to be too much.

[Monty]

Texts can have many different readings as I'm sure you know Monty. I will just say that I limit myself to giving my honest opinion about coercive/organised (as opposed to spontaneous) public and collective displays of grief and emotion.

I definitely stop short of facile assumptions and judgement of others.*

* I'm probably bullshitting here too.

I'd agree that if you don't feel the sentiment to be genuine, there is no point in applauding. If you do honestly feel it, however, then why not? And perhaps Stan appreciates it which, from a utilitarian point of view at least, makes it a perfectly fine thing. I agree with people being coerced into false emotional reactions and grief especially - I actually just watched Christopher Hitchens speaking very ill of the late Jerry Fallwell, which was hilarious and totally correct - but if people genuinely want to express support for someone in some public and coordinated way, that's up to them.

And for the record: come on Stan! And everyone else who has leukaemia.

Well exactly.

[saunders_heroes]

saunders_heroes has reconciled me with the rest of humanity. Thank you!

It's only because I agree with you this time! ;-)
Seriously though this has been bugging me for a while now. I was brought up to deal with grief in private etc. I can't bear all this public wailing.

[Bad English]

I know you WILL stick the boot in when you don't agree with me, so it counts that you did this time sir!

[brian green]

I would sooner show my support to a very sick man facing an uncertain future of pain and distress than for a fit and healthy man without a care in the world scoring a goal or saving a penalty.   The former is in the real world the latter is in the fantasy world of professional sport.

[Bad English]

I'd agree that if you don't feel the sentiment to be genuine, there is no point in applauding. If you do honestly feel it, however, then why not? And perhaps Stan appreciates it which, from a utilitarian point of view at least, makes it a perfectly fine thing. I agree with people being coerced into false emotional reactions and grief especially - I actually just watched Christopher Hitchens speaking very ill of the late Jerry Fallwell, which was hilarious and totally correct - but if people genuinely want to express support for someone in some public and coordinated way, that's up to them.

Now we are getting somewhere.

If I want to applaud I do. If I don't want to, I don't.

If people want to "that's up to them". Exactly. No need to be questioning people's goodwill or asking to see just what is declared in the charity section of their income tax returns.

Now, it was great to see the big displays of applause for Stan but once it becomes an official "duty" then it loses the power. Spontaneity is the key for me. If people browbeat me then they can most likely fuck off. I'm sure Stan appreciates that too.

[Monty]

I'd agree that if you don't feel the sentiment to be genuine, there is no point in applauding. If you do honestly feel it, however, then why not? And perhaps Stan appreciates it which, from a utilitarian point of view at least, makes it a perfectly fine thing. I agree with people being coerced into false emotional reactions and grief especially - I actually just watched Christopher Hitchens speaking very ill of the late Jerry Fallwell, which was hilarious and totally correct - but if people genuinely want to express support for someone in some public and coordinated way, that's up to them.

Now we are getting somewhere.

If I want to applaud I do. If I don't want to, I don't.

If people want to "that's up to them". Exactly. No need to be questioning people's goodwill or asking to see just what is declared in the charity section of their income tax returns.

Now, it was great to see the big displays of applause for Stan but once it becomes an official "duty" then it loses the power. Spontaneity is the key for me. If people browbeat me then they can most likely fuck off. I'm sure Stan appreciates that too.

I knew we'd agree. And I'm glad I now have no reason to question your goodwill, I'm sure you'll accept you seemed slightly flippant before.

The Yams who had a go are still bastards though *winky thing*.

[dave.woodhall]

Edited

I think it might be a good idea if you took the rest of the night off.

[Bad English]

Pointless and inappropriate comment deleted. Apologies for putting  it on this thread.

[Legion]

Update

At the final home game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur, there will be a donor drive as well as the opportunity to sign up for a fun run.

Supporters can join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register by heading to the Villa Park Indoor Academy before kick-off and providing a small saliva sample.

The charity uses this sample to match donors to patients in need of a lifesaving stem cell transplant.

If they do come up as a match for someone with blood cancer, they will be asked to donate their stem cells in a process similar to giving blood.

Anthony Nolan particularly needs young men aged between 18 and 30 to sign up, as they make the best donors yet account for just 12 per cent of the register.

[rutski]

Update

At the final home game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur, there will be a donor drive as well as the opportunity to sign up for a fun run.

Supporters can join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register by heading to the Villa Park Indoor Academy before kick-off and providing a small saliva sample.

The charity uses this sample to match donors to patients in need of a lifesaving stem cell transplant.

If they do come up as a match for someone with blood cancer, they will be asked to donate their stem cells in a process similar to giving blood.

Anthony Nolan particularly needs young men aged between 18 and 30 to sign up, as they make the best donors yet account for just 12 per cent of the register.

this is very good cause, i would also say that being a blood donor is very important too. replenishing red blood cell count is important when anaemic. even though you never lose blood(ie in an accident or injury) you existing levels need topping up. during my leukaemia treatment i had about 25 pints of blood extra. very important in your recovery

[Louzie0]

Good to see several Villa players adding to the sponsorship of 'pedal for Petrov'.  It's up to about £26,000 and they're going for £250,000.

Hope that there will be some more donations from the awards evening, tonight.
http://www.justgiving.com/pedalforpetrov

[FatSam]

Does anyone know where you can buy a Support Stan t-shirt online in an adult size? I can only find kids ones on the club shop website.

[Chris Smith]

I can only add my best wishes to Stan and wish him a full recovery. I've got to know a few Lukaemia sufferers recently so have some insight into the condition. He's going to have a lengthy treatment process and his prospects will depend on any other health issues he might have and how soon they've caught it but I imagine both, along whith is his age and fitness, are in his favour. That said it's probably a 12 month process between diagnosis and being back to full health.   

[Dave Clark Five]

Regarding the Albion fans, some did join in with the clapping. Loads more probably would if it were not for the kind of mob mentality that exist among supporters. Sometimes people try too hard to be a rival supporter. At least they didn't boo or jeer throughout it or try to drown it out. You could read that as being as respectful as the ring-leaders wanted to get.