Der Hammer

[Witton Warrior]

Before we start patting ourselves on the back for our liberalism, let's remember the countless Mark Lawrenson comments.

Very true. And that vile homophobic Matt Upson song we used to sing not so long ago to great glee from supporters is a stain on our club.

Sol Campbell as well I recall. Was in the L Holte when that started a few years ago (the 0-0) and asked people near me not to sing it - was asked "what I was going to do about it" and pointed out that was very much up to those singing it. 

[spk]

Ger and Ads,thanks alot,means the world,feel part of the human race again now !

[barrysleftfoot]

 I liked him when he played for us, and i like him now.No difference to me whether he's gay or not.

[Richard E]

John Fashanu used to get a lot of homophobic stick from certain quarters about his brother every time we played against Wimbledon. Until we signed him, at which point he just used to get stick for being toss.

[saunders_heroes]

John Fashanu used to get a lot of homophobic stick from certain quarters about his brother every time we played against Wimbledon. Until we signed him, at which point he just used to get stick for being toss.

I think John Fashanu used to be every bit as homophobic to his brother then anyone else was.

[Tuscans]

Well done Tommy, but....I kind of knew....did anyone else have an inkling?

[Richard E]

John Fashanu used to get a lot of homophobic stick from certain quarters about his brother every time we played against Wimbledon. Until we signed him, at which point he just used to get stick for being toss.

I think John Fashanu used to be every bit as homophobic to his brother then anyone else was.

The day we signed John Fashanu must rate as one of my worst days in following Villa, not far off relegation in 87 or the 2000 FA Cup Final.   

[saunders_heroes]

John Fashanu used to get a lot of homophobic stick from certain quarters about his brother every time we played against Wimbledon. Until we signed him, at which point he just used to get stick for being toss.

I think John Fashanu used to be every bit as homophobic to his brother then anyone else was.

The day we signed John Fashanu must rate as one of my worst days in following Villa, not far off relegation in 87 or the 2000 FA Cup Final.   

I know the result and performance was bad, but it's stretching to a bit to claim the FA Cup final was one of the worst days ever!

[barrysleftfoot]

 His last minute winner against the Boggies, and the celebratory singing to "Vindaloo" on the final whistle, was one of my favourite Villa memories.

[frank]

I wonder if it will open doors for him in a way, maybe the normal punditry route (as he is eloquent and endearingly foreign-brummie) would be an ideal outcome, not making a 'thing' of it.

Alternatively I do wonder about a role as some sort of inclusion officer/ambassador for our club the FA/German FA etc. not that he should have to make something of it, but just an interesting thought.

I have to say am sick of hearing homophobic comments still at Football, and think I may take this as a confidence boost to challenge a fellow Villa fan if I ever hear some abuse. I've risked challenging racism before and things have got to change.

Here's to the day it's not news anymore.

Thomas Hitzlsperger is already a respected figure in German football. He writes an intelligent, provocative column for the newspaper Die Zeit and a few years ago he was given a prestigious award for his stand on racism in football. His opinion carries weight and his coming-out could do a lot of good.

Sadly, football crowds (not individual supporters) are the last stronghold of racism, xenophobia and homophobia. As an English member of the German Villans I was disgusted as recently as last summer to hear the Villa fans, guests in Bochum, chanting "Ten German Bombers". Thomas's statement has been applauded here and in Germany, but he'll never have to face a football crowd. I fear that it will be some time before the first gay player is able to come out, but today's news is a significant step on a long road.

[keeprighton]

Blues fan here tommy good luck to you fella,although it shouldn't really be an issue these days to be honest,it takes some bollox to do what you have done,good luck for the future chap in whatever you do...

[freethinker]

Thomas Hitzlsperger is already a respected figure in German football. He writes an intelligent, provocative column for the newspaper Die Zeit and a few years ago he was given a prestigious award for his stand on racism in football. His opinion carries weight and his coming-out could do a lot of good.

Sadly, football crowds (not individual supporters) are the last stronghold of racism, xenophobia and homophobia. As an English member of the German Villans I was disgusted as recently as last summer to hear the Villa fans, guests in Bochum, chanting "Ten German Bombers". Thomas's statement has been applauded here and in Germany, but he'll never have to face a football crowd. I fear that it will be some time before the first gay player is able to come out, but today's news is a significant step on a long road.

To be fair it was a small number of Villa fans singing the anti-Germany stuff and I think more Villa fans joined in with chants to drown them out. Still very embarrassing though. Two German Villa fans in front of me smiled - I cringed.

[flybo]

Good luck to Der Hammer

[Lizz]

I vaguely remember reading something about his girlfriend arranging to bring some of his relatives over for his 21st birthday or something similar. Who cares if he's had girlfriends in the past, and, what they looked like? I know a few gay men who didn't feel comfortable coming out in their younger years.

Some posters have mentioned many of us are happy to congratulate ourselves on being liberal minded. Considering there's also been a discussion on Karren Brady's looks recently, until some of the puerile comments cease I don't think we should get too self congratulatory. Hopefully in the not too different future our actions will match what we claim to be our beliefs.

Anyway, hope he has a happy life.

[garyshawsknee]

John Fashanu used to get a lot of homophobic stick from certain quarters about his brother every time we played against Wimbledon. Until we signed him, at which point he just used to get stick for being toss.

I think John Fashanu used to be every bit as homophobic to his brother then anyone else was.

The day we signed John Fashanu must rate as one of my worst days in following Villa, not far off relegation in 87 or the 2000 FA Cup Final.   

Ditto, only time i wrote a letter of complaint to the club.  I heard him interviewed on the excellent Danny Kelly 'Days of our lives' on TS, he still has issues about his brother and homosexuals, still denied his brother was gay.