Good morning.
The game against Bolton was quite rightly abandoned. By the rules the game ought to be rescheduled in theory for the second Wednesday after the original which would take us to the 28th of this month.
Some perspective to those recoiling at the crass, insensitive suggestion of the football world not skipping a beat, on the 6th of February 1958 the Munich Air Disaster occured killing 23 people including 8 of the Manchester United team and 3 members of United staff.
On the 19th of February Manchester United played Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. The last victim of the tragedy, Duncan Edwards passed away two days after that tie.
United went on to face Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup Final and it was the Trotters that won 2-0.
Public emotion toward the depleted Red Devils understandably ran high at the time and aside from the nation wishing United well, Red Star Belgrade actually suggested that United be made honorary European Champions that year.
The Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse scored both of the FA Cup Final goals.
I’ve seen it suggested that the tie be abandoned completely and I disagree. Given the naturally sympathetic mood of the nation towards Fabrice Muamba after his miserable collapse it would be a fitting display of ‘football’ pulling together and carrying on.
Victorian women were supposed to have a specified period of mourning lasting an interminable amount of time. Life for them ground to a halt. It didn’t help poor women who couldn’t pay the bills after the death of their spouse but what the hell, it paid due deference to church and a patriarchal state stuck in reactionary stasis. I really hope that we have moved on from that wretched period in our history so beloved of some politicians and media pundits. How far do we take this nonsense? If a soldier has been killed in Afghanistan does his home town grind to a halt? Please let us move on and play the match.
I think any question of respect is not the issue. The question is whether the players are up to it. If they feel they are not, who are we to question them? Some people are mentally stronger than others. I would presume seeing a seemingly fit and healthy peer, friend and fellow professional collapse in front of you would have a profound impact on you. Leave it to the players to decide.
Men and women who’s lives are taken on the alter of freedom during battle do not have the luxury of reflection and thought. The war continues as should the game. The lad lives….there needs a period of sensibility towards what is best for all parties.
Nobody is asking Fabrice’s mother, fiancee (and mother of their child) or other family members to pull on a Bolton shirt.
Let me pose one question to those of you on here who have jobs. How long would your boss let you stay home from work if John from Accounting (or whoever), who you knew fairly well, had to be hospitalized due to a heart condition?
My boss would give me exactly zero days off.
John from accounting is alive and well and living in Marakesh, I fucked her last night.
My dera boy…The amount of working hours you spend on this blog, I would give you your marching orders, let alone days off!
:whistle:
Great shout. Ugly in its conception. But Brilliant.
If Bolton want to postpone a few games that’s one thing, he may have been a friendly, popular guy and at a stretch some of their players may need some time. But Spurs postponing any would be way over the top. I thought 30 secs applause was a little self serving. I wonder how long till the law makes it a crime to die. People are far too precious about mortality, some one wrote yesterday there’s no logic to death. I find it very logical, a start and an end and in most cases welcome.
Good points.
I would like to add:
HE IS NOT DEAD
You’re right it does read like that. It was supposed to be a more general statement.
memo to me:read your posts before you send them.