Der Hammer

[PeterWithe]

But singing his name at a game he's not attending would seem to give him credentials I'm not sure  this story quite deserves, through no fault of his own I hasten to add, he's not said he wants to be a standard bearer after all. It was there I came in.

[saunders_heroes]

But singing his name at a game he's not attending would seem to give him credentials I'm not sure  this story quite deserves, through no fault of his own I hasten to add, he's not said he wants to be a standard bearer after all. It was there I came in.

I understand that you think "so what" if someone's gay, but sadly a lot of society doesn't think like that. So there's so much more to do to eradicate homophobia from this country, so yes I think a show of solidarity against homophobes would be most welcome at Villa Park to show support to Hitzelsperger.
When I was young racism at football grounds was rife, even accepted as the norm, hardly anyone even batted an eyelid. It was only through education that got us to where we are today. I don't see why homophobia should be any different.

[PeterWithe]

I wouldn't disagree with a word but would continue to wonder if Hitz would want to be, or would deserve to be the standard bearer you want him to be.

[purpletrousers]

I wouldn't disagree with a word but would continue to wonder if Hitz would want to be, or would deserve to be the standard bearer.

Suggest you watch football focus interview tomorrow and come back to this question. He's doing multiple interviews on this subject.

I'd just be repeating my already long posts on this thread, that already answer your questions i think. Standard bearer is your phrase, I'm not trying to name what he's doing.

again:

"I'm coming out about my homosexuality because I want to move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sportspeople forwards"

are current gay players really going to feel more reassured by this? If so why?

From my experience of activism in other areas of stigma, here and overseas, because we are changing what is accepted culturally, by exposing the public to ideas.
you know the drill:
Ignorance breeds fear. Fear breeds hate. Hate breeds violence. Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.

if you don't feel you want to trust my word on it there is loads here,
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/09/peter-tatchell-thomas-hitzlsperger-gay-homophobia
more quotes from him about why he is doing it. Only just seen the Sun frontpage from the other day. That's pretty extraordinary for the Sun, even for 2014.

He's already a much more intelligent/respected figure than I'd realised for what work he has done prior to his coming out. I'm glad he's made his name with us.

Thinking about it, I'd happily chuck anyone a few quid who could make that banner for Monday night. Small acts can be effective, it's on TV, timing is everything. See my prior suggestion, anyone (willing to be) in the upper holte up for it? feel free to PM me. Seeing that in the press would at least soften a bad result.

[edited to add the sun/guardian links...]

[olaftab]

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

Can we see your missive  Brian?

[olaftab]

But singing his name at a game he's not attending would seem to give him credentials I'm not sure  this story quite deserves, through no fault of his own I hasten to add, he's not said he wants to be a standard bearer after all. It was there I came in.

I agree singing his name is a bad idea. He is not ill and nothing bad has happened to him. He is a normal human being who has made a statement about a personal issue.

[john e]

The problem with singing his name is that nothing rhymes with it,
we didn't even sing it when he played for us as 'there's only one Thomas Hitzlsperger' doesn't fit

[supertom]

The problem with singing his name is that nothing rhymes with it,
we didn't even sing it when he played for us as 'there's only one Thomas Hitzlsperger' doesn't fit

Can we not sing Hammer to Fall, and get Bryan May in the stands to just rock out a guitar solo every now and again?

[AlwaysAVFC]

The problem with singing his name is that nothing rhymes with it,
we didn't even sing it when he played for us as 'there's only one Thomas Hitzlsperger' doesn't fit

Wasn't it just de de de de Hitzlsperger

As in this tune http://youtu.be/-N7O87sYi2g

[Monty]

'One Hitzlsperger' fits perfectly though. Scans like a dream. And I think there are sufficiently few Hitzlspergers around that we don't have to specify that it's Thomas there's only one of.

[KevinGage]

The problem with singing his name is that nothing rhymes with it,
we didn't even sing it when he played for us as 'there's only one Thomas Hitzlsperger' doesn't fit

Wasn't it just de de de de Hitzlsperger

As in this tune http://youtu.be/-N7O87sYi2g

That's the one I recall. And 'shoooot!'   Even if he was in his own half.

[supertom]

The problem with singing his name is that nothing rhymes with it,
we didn't even sing it when he played for us as 'there's only one Thomas Hitzlsperger' doesn't fit

Wasn't it just de de de de Hitzlsperger

As in this tune http://youtu.be/-N7O87sYi2g

That's the one I recall. And 'shoooot!'   Even if he was in his own half.

Can we sing "Don't shoooot!" whenever Tonev has the ball? Even if he's 3 yards out on an open goal?

[goldenboot2000]

Hello to all on this forum, I've been an avid follower in the shadows, never thought it would be this thread that would make me sign up.
Respect to Thomas - not easy to do and as others have said not really an issue. It took me back to an incident at VP probably 15 years ago - Le Saux received some foul abuse, probably fall-out from the Fowler thing culminating in a very loud chant from the Holte:

"Do you take it up the a***". 

Don't get me wrong, I was happy to add to the repeated chorus of my old man and I never regret any of the things I shouted out Savage (he's since proved right everything I said) but the stuff aimed at Le Saux was disgusting and seemed to be the start of a decline in humour and atmosphere VP - not that the football has helped in recent years.

Having said that,  it's refreshing to see  the enlightened attitudes on here and I will continue to follow you. I live and work in Bristol, surrounded by  plastic mancs, cockneys and red scouse scum so reading this forum keeps me going and provides plenty of ammunition to fire back at the glory hunting b******S!

UTV

[olaftab]

Welcome  goldenboot2000. UTV.

[olaftab]

The problem with singing his name is that nothing rhymes with it,
we didn't even sing it when he played for us as 'there's only one Thomas Hitzlsperger' doesn't fit

How about "Give me an H..." OK that's going to be a tad difficult.