RANT

(RedHed Blue)

As this column is about "venting spleen" I am torn as to whether to wish all you Blues a very Happy Christmas or whether to just say "Bah Humbug", and considering the fact that I am writing this on the morning after we've just lost to DE ATHLONE (whats the DE about, eh?), and it took five hours and a couple of trips through Abbeyleix to get back to Waterford on the bus, I'm going to say "Bah Humbug"!!!

Okay enough seasonal frivolity, back to the spleen venting...Why is the RSC so quiet on matchdays, surely going to the game means you are there to support the team, sitting there waiting for the goals to come isn't supporting the team though, and moaning if they don't come isn't support either! It is our duty to be an extension of the team, and for us to play our part we should be a bit more vocal at home games, and by being vocal I don't shouting at Kevin O' Brien every time he mis-directs a pass (only joking Kev, we luv ya really).

On the away trips the Blues have dominated the home crowd, several opposition fans have commented on the noise we make, but Jesus Christ, we were out-chanted by a lone St. Pats supporter, in the recent League Cup game. He was the loudest fan I've ever heard, and fair play to him! (No Kevin, seriously the goal wasn't your fault)

Can't we organize ourselves a bit better at the RSC, maybe anyone who wants to Sing the Blues could meet up before the next home game and arrange to stick together inside the ground, and make some noise. (\ldblquote Stick Together", Kev, that means staying close to someone, not letting get to far away from you!)

Creating a good atmosphere can have a many-fold effect, it will give the team spirit when the going gets tough, it will draw in more supporters, it will intimidate the opposition team (come on, we need every edge we can get!) And if nothing else it will keep us warm through the winter. I know that there are times when we all get a bit frustrated with the team (see its not just you Kevin, its the whole team, well except Kirby), but these are the times that the team needs to know we are still behind them.

So Blues it really is up to you, should we ORGANIZE THE NOIZE???? Are we satisfied with the odd shout of C'mon Blues (usually followed by "get rid of it O'Brien") or will we be a bit more like we are on the road??? If you think it's a good idea then let 'btid' know

On the subject of vocal support and the never ending search for new and novel chants: Dave, surely smuggling a mongrel into St. Mels Park and letting it run on to the pitch, just so you could start the "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?" chant was taking things a bit far!!! Okay, okay, you didn't bring the dog, it was "infacta"an inspired lightening quick response to the situation. Brilliant! Finally, a word to Kevin O' Brien, the articles a bit of fun, you've been brilliant so far this season, no Kev really, I mean it!!! That's the end of this month's RANT, I'd rather chant..... BLUUUUESSS TILL I DIE, etc. ************************************************************************************************

GET WITH A PROGRAMME

Just a few words about the programmes at games. Waterford has to be one of the worst in the league. It's just full of ads, little info on the Blues, or the opposition (form, key players etc.) Athlone's programme is full of facts, as well as pen pictures of the home players (nice, clear pictures too). We seem to be paying £1.50 for a colour cover and little else, including the repeat messages from the Chairman and Manager. The only change seems to be the name of the opposition.

It was great to be part of the travelling support in Athlone, especially as the home fans were so appreciative of our noise. Speaking of noise, the P.A. system was the worst I've heard, or haven't heard in this case. You could just hear the occasional mumble of incoherant babble, and I thought Johnny Giles had turned up at the stadium (?)

That's all for now, so until next waffle, stay blue.

NC. (New Ross)Just to let you know there's a travelling support to EVERY Blues game.

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TUBBYS ROMAN HOLIDAY (a European Tale)

Six-year-old Tubby, had gone to Rome on holiday with his family hoping to see the Pope. A couple of days after they'd arrived, the Pope was doing a tour of the city in his Popemobile. Tubby was a bit worried the Pope wouldn't be able to pick him out in the crowd, so his mam said "don't worry, the Pope is a football fan, wear your Waterford United shirt and he's bound to pick you out and talk to you." So they're in the crowd waiting expectantly, but the Popemobile drives past them and stops further down the street, where John Paul gets out and speaks to a child with a Kilkenny "town" shirt. Tubby is distraught and starts crying. His mam says, "don't worry, the Pope is driving around tomorrow, so we'll buy you a Kilkenny shirt and he's bound to talk to you. The next day arrives and Tubbys got on his new Kilkenny shirt. The Popemobile stops right by him, John Paul gets out bends over and says to Tubby, " I thought I told you to fuck off yesterday!!!"

Any similarity to a certain Blues fan is purely intentional.