Ian Hart: Football fans are entitled to an opinion but there are boundaries - and some Worthing supporters need a reality check
It’s 54 years since my late father first took me to Woodside Road for the first time, and on that journey ongoing with both Worthing FC, and Brighton and Hove Albion (53 years) part of the process has been that I’ve been allowed an opinion on the football I’ve watched.
Through various means that opinion has had me writing and broadcasting that opinion for over 35 years, a privilege I value to this day.
At times, I’ve clearly crossed the line, on one occasion I ended up in the High Court!, but part of the caveat of crossing the said line is that I not only conceded I’ve crossed it but have had to take ownership of my actions and where possible rectify them.
Last night (Tuesday) Worthing entertained Maidenhead United in a National League South promotion ‘6 pointer’, it was an end to end stuff , no quarter given, the amount of yellow, and one red, cards a testament to this, but ultimately the 0-0 draw was disappointing for all concerned in the Worthing camp and the overwhelming majority of 1500 or so fans in the ground.
But for a very small minority that disappointment became more, some supporters specifically behind the home dugout decided to vent their spleens in the direction of Rebels manager Adam Hinshelwood. Football is a game of opinions, but calling both Adam and his players [insert obscenity here], goes way beyond that.
For a start Adam is anything but that, he is in fact the most talented manager the club has had in its 140 year history, and with that the squad he is assembling after he hit the ground running in October is shaping up to be the best group of players ever at the club.
A spate of injuries haven’t helped, and with the extremely competitive nature of the NLS, every game is both a cup final and a dogfight.
So a couple of fans mouthing off is almost laughable, I’ve no doubt through social media the said individuals will read this.
My message to you is simple, go home, take a look at the League table, then go back and look at the league table the week before Adam came back, then switch in the news and see what else is going on in the world and then have a huge reality check.
Clearly by the very fact you pay your money at the turnstile you profess to support Worthing FC, so carry on doing that, constructive opinions are all part and parcel of the beautiful game, but what you did and said, well it crossed a line, if you want to have a future, an exciting one at that, at Worthing FC, thenthink before you speak, or shout, next time.