Der Hammer

[Brend'Watkins]

the gf may have been a ts?
or a cd?
apparantly hes been offered a spot on an HBO series
about pillow biters in san francisco
in the report the rep of some agency applauding the news  was named S Dick
i kid you not

Is that some kind of poem?

It Smells like Peen Spirit.

[Chris Jameson]

His goal against Bolton, in what seemed like the 95th minute,

I'm glad there was a net to stop it otherwise I'd still be comatose in hospital.

[not3bad]

the gf may have been a ts?
or a cd?
apparantly hes been offered a spot on an HBO series
about pillow biters in san francisco
in the report the rep of some agency applauding the news  was named S Dick
i kid you not

Is that some kind of poem?

It Smells like Peen Spirit.

With a spellcheck
He's less dangerous

[paul_e]

The albion goal is probably the one for me, I'm not sure why but it's one of the few goals we've scored more than a few months ago where I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard it on the radio - I was on my way home from a rugby game having scored 4 tries (the only time in 12 years) before having to come off with concussion, maybe the concussion gave me a bit of clarity of mind.

[brian green]

I am extremely angry about a piece in the i newspaper today written by Simon Kelner about Thomas.   I will quote you the sentence which I find particularly offensive "And the statement from Aston Villa, well meaning though it was, gave no real encouragement, making it sound as if their player had an 'incurable disease'."

I have not read the Villa statement but I would appreciate from ones of you who have read the club statement in full if there is any basis to state in a public newspaper that Villa considered that their player had an incurable disease before I fire off a strong letter of complaint to the editor of the paper.

At a lesser level of offensiveness but equally wild and generalizing in my opinion Kelner goes on to say  "But the biggest challenge in terms of changing perceptions may be on what used to be called the terraces, which are still, as anyone who goes regularly to football matches will know, a repository of racism, sexism and homophobia."

I suspect that Kelner never has been a regular attender at football matches because the view he espouses is pure anti football and untrue.
Posters views would be appreciated.

[Legion]

"Everyone who knows Thomas from his time here at Villa has great respect for him, not only as the fine player he was but also as a man.

"His statement is a straightforward statement and, along with our support as a club, we hope that everyone involved in the game extend to him their support as well."

[dave.woodhall]

I am extremely angry about a piece in the i newspaper today written by Simon Kelner about Thomas.   I will quote you the sentence which I find particularly offensive "And the statement from Aston Villa, well meaning though it was, gave no real encouragement, making it sound as if their player had an 'incurable disease'."

I have not read the Villa statement but I would appreciate from ones of you who have read the club statement in full if there is any basis to state in a public newspaper that Villa considered that their player had an incurable disease before I fire off a strong letter of complaint to the editor of the paper.

At a lesser level of offensiveness but equally wild and generalizing in my opinion Kelner goes on to say  "But the biggest challenge in terms of changing perceptions may be on what used to be called the terraces, which are still, as anyone who goes regularly to football matches will know, a repository of racism, sexism and homophobia."

I suspect that Kelner never has been a regular attender at football matches because the view he espouses is pure anti football and untrue.
Posters views would be appreciated.

"The club supported Der Hammer with a social media statement, commenting: "Everyone who knows Thomas from his time here at Villa has great respect for him, not only as the fine player he was but also as a man.

"His statement is a straightforward statement and, along with our support as a club, we hope that everyone involved in the game extend to him their support as well."

[brian green]

Thanks Lee

[brian green]

And Dave.   I shall type my letter to the editor on something fireproof.

[PeterWithe]

If Hitz returns and comes  on the pitch I'll gladly give him a round of applause. As for singing his name on Monday, why? I thought it was a pretty widespread view that 'who cares', one with which I wholheartedly agree. If another ex-player announces he now prefers ginger birds I'll be similarly non-plussed.

[brian green]

Done.   Pick the bones out of that.   Thanks again Lee, Dave.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Doesn't change my opinion of him one bit. Never liked Germans. 

[purpletrousers]

If Hitz returns and comes  on the pitch I'll gladly give him a round of applause. As for singing his name on Monday, why? I thought it was a pretty widespread view that 'who cares', one with which I wholheartedly agree. If another ex-player announces he now prefers ginger birds I'll be similarly non-plussed.

Why? Because I oppose prejudice. Because a player who used to play for my club has stood up to be counted in a way which shouldn't be necessary and shouldn't matter, but very sadly does.
Because I hear homophobia at football still, and I don't want to and I want to be part of the change.

Because I've experienced homophobic abuse just for being with a gay friend in a takeaway.

Because I have friends in a country obsessed with the premiership where  it's illegal to be gay, and people are abused and killed for their sexual preference, and where if their heroes come out it will make a difference.

Tommy coming out makes it that bit easier for the next, however far away down the line that is.

I can't go to the Arsenal game as I live work/in London and have a voluteer commitment Monday night, but if I could go to the match I would like the applause for the 12th minute, and I'd even go further.

I'd also do a banner from the Upper Holte, just for the press shot, something like,

"#12 Tommy Hitz
We're not fickle
We just like you

Against homophobia
at Villa. Are you?"

I'd also like not to care about the announcement. Just saying like, since you asked.

Thoughts, PW?

[PeterWithe]

I simply don't agree, I also don't think he's been particularly 'brave' in the way this has come out, brave would have been to do it whilst playing, as it is who cares?, it's 2014 and an ex player of reasonable ability has declared he's gay, after the big pay cheques have stopped, are current gay players really going to feel more reassured by this? If so why?

I wish Hitz no ill, far from it, but as I said, I'm no more interested or impressed than if he announced any other personal matter in hello magazine.

[saunders_heroes]

I simply don't agree, I also don't think he's been particularly 'brave' in the way this has come out, brave would have been to do it whilst playing, as it is who cares?, it's 2014 and an ex player of reasonable ability has declared he's gay, after the big pay cheques have stopped, are current gay players really going to feel more reassured by this? If so why?

I wish Hitz no ill, far from it, but as I said, I'm no more interested or impressed than if he announced any other personal matter in hello magazine.

Well it's a start isn't it? There was a time in this country that no gay person would come out for fear of being ostracised, bullied, ridiculed and attacked by society, and going a bit further back even prosecuted for it.
So yes, he IS brave. One only has to read the moving article by Graeme Le Saux to realise what kind of homophobic morons exist at football clubs.