Stan and 19th minute applause?

[silhillvilla]

If the club aren't putting Stan's pic up on the screens then I think it will gradually fizzle out. I might use the 19th minute for a toilet break for the next few weeks to avoid any potential "politics" around joining in or not.

[frank]

I stood up slowly as everyone around me on the Lower Holte was standing. I then missed the goal as the guy in front of me was still standing as I sat down.

As others have said, it was a fine and moving gesture of support at the time, appreciated by Stan and, for the most part, respected by the opposing fans. At Anfield, for example, most of the stadium was standing and applauding, and at the Etihad they even had a picture of Stan on the screen. But we don't want this noble response to Stan's illness to become an embarrassment and I think that the start of the new season is the appropriate time to end the 19th-minute applause.

What concerns me, however, is that some of our fans will continue use the 19th minute as an excuse to taunt the opposition support with "No respect m'lord" when they don't join in. You'll always get the chants of "Empty seats" and "Sh*t support", but to drag Stan's illness into it is unjustified and embarrassing.

[sonlyme]

Got sent a clip of the AVTV coverage after I got back last night from my mate in the States.  Jack Deadwood goes off on a eulogy about how magnificent the Villa fans are - how amazing the 19th minute thing is - how everyone at the club loves it - etc etc. 

I am not a JW hater.  He may well be clueless - devoid of self awareness - and doing a bad Jim Rosenthal impression - but he can also be funny.  He is the comedy element of Villa's media team - whether he knows it or not.  But we need to send a message to the media muppets at the club that this is now getting mawkish.  Woodward needs a bollocking.

A clear and unambiguous message needs to come out - probably from Stan himself - thanks - but time to stop now.

Stan is on the mend thank god and Villa are on the up.  We don't need to applaud in the 19th minute to feel we are special because  - we are special.

Lets start looking forward to standing and applauding in the 90th minute instead.

[fredm]

As I said last night, the vast majority around me got up for it straight away. Most of them were people who do not regularly sit in the area and some were, I think, an American youth football team.

I honestly do not think this will stop unless Stan comes out with a thank you message to supporters requesting it be stopped.

Oh and I also missed Vlaars goal I as was sat down and those in front had remained standing whilst we took the corner!!

[peter w]

We could ask Stan to change his squad number to 91? 

[Chris Smith]

Had no intention of doing the 19th minute yesterday, and only joined in with the applause eventually because I felt obliged to.

I agree with the sentiment that once the battle is won, the sympathy has to end.

As a suggestion, why not make the 19th league fixture this season the official last ever ovation?

Would give a few months for word to get around and could be made a special day with banners etc and perhaps Stan could address the crowd at half time if he wanted.

Sorry to keep labouring the point but the battle isn't won, in football terms he's 1-0 up at half time. He's in remission, which means that there is currently no evidence of it showing up on his tests, whether that is temporary or permanent only time will tell.

It's a big step for him but we have to get away from the idea that it is all plain sailing from now on. Every time he gets so much as a headache he'll go through the process of wondering whether it's a sign of it returning.

That said, I agree with the sentiment that the 19th minute thing has run its course but don't think you can tell people they have to stop it. 

[paulcomben]

If the club aren't putting Stan's pic up on the screens then I think it will gradually fizzle out. I might use the 19th minute for a toilet break for the next few weeks to avoid any potential "politics" around joining in or not.

The play does not stop and yesterday you would have missed a goal in such a toilet break. Do you need support applause for a bladder weakness?

[edgysatsuma89]

I think we should all have those Petrov masks on. Permanently. For every game.

[Ryu]

Had no intention of doing the 19th minute yesterday, and only joined in with the applause eventually because I felt obliged to.

I agree with the sentiment that once the battle is won, the sympathy has to end.

As a suggestion, why not make the 19th league fixture this season the official last ever ovation?

Would give a few months for word to get around and could be made a special day with banners etc and perhaps Stan could address the crowd at half time if he wanted.

Sympathy has to end?  Bit harsh I would say.  He'd probably still be a Premier League player if he hadn't gotten ill.  And I would see it as a mark of respect rather than one of sympathy.  And as Chris has pointed out his Leukemia is in remission but I'm sure his doctors won't be telling him the "battle is won".

I accept that some people might think it is a bit naff or whatever but the 19th minute clap is an organic thing and it will stop when the majority of people at games think it has run it's course, not because some people are uncomfortable with public displays of emotion

[mr woo]

Well ok, maybe 'sympathy' isn't quite the right word, but you know what I mean.

And yes, Chris, I also know where you are coming from in saying that once you are diagnosed, you will always live in fear of a relapse (believe me, I really know) but at the same time, the suggestion was that the applause would remind him of his suffering at a time when he should be looking forward optimistically.

It's only my two bobs worth, but surely the true mark of respect would be to stop if the man himself requests it?

[Chris Smith]

Well ok, maybe 'sympathy' isn't quite the right word, but you know what I mean.

And yes, Chris, I also know where you are coming from in saying that once you are diagnosed, you will always live in fear of a relapse (believe me, I really know) but at the same time, the suggestion was that the applause would remind him of his suffering at a time when he should be looking forward optimistically.

It's only my two bobs worth, but surely the true mark of respect would be to stop if the man himself requests it?

I pretty much agree, I'd like it to come to a dignified end, it's served it's purpose, which to me was to show sympathy (or empathy) and support for what he was going through. What I'd hate to see is for it to cause any problems with people who might have good reason for wanting it to continue.

[Clampy]

Maybe we should make this weekend his last one for now seeing as Arsenal away was the last game he played before he retired.

[levico]

Question is, what does Stan want? My view is that he wants to move on and put his illness behind him. He's coming to terms with having to retire and he's got a new job and challenge to get to grips with. He has no doubts about the fans affection for him, he just wants to look forward.

[Pete3206]

Take it off the screens. If people still want to politely applaud, fine. If you don't want to join in, fine also.

[PeterWithesShin]

Take it off the screens. If people still want to politely applaud, fine. If you don't want to join in, fine also.

It is off the screens.