This comes from Grahame Curtis, head of the NYC Arsenal Supporters. He’s fired up about a somewhat misguided article written in a local NYC sports paper. More fuel for the “the media are anti-Arsenal” faction. Indeed, the offending article is inflammatory as the author makes a blanket accusation towards Arsenal fans which I find to be completely untrue. I would recommend sending a letter to the editor. Judge for yourself…
Hi All,
The New York Sports Express, a sporting rag in this city, posted the following insulting article to their web site and published it in their paper copy:
I have laid down the gauntlet to their editor (letters@nysportsexpress.com) with the following e-mail:
“Dear Spike,
I am writing to you as the head of the New York Arsenal Supporters Club regarding the, frankly, disgusting article in this week’s issue by Spencer Sharp, entitled “The Arse In Arsenal”.
Speaking as the representative of hundreds of Arsenal fans in New York City, I was horrified to see that your paper described all Arsenal fans as “assholes” and “c**ts” and would ask whether you provided editorial approval
for this article.
While no one, including ourselves, could approve of the behaviour of Arsenal players at the end of last week’s game against Manchester United, Mr. Sharp’s article did not simply focus on this behaviour, but instead chose to
personally insult Arsenal fans across the city (a fan group that, by the way, forms the second largest contingent after Celtic). This cannot stand unchallenged.
I am asking now for a written retraction or apology for this slur on the supporters of Arsenal Football Club or further measures may be taken, including making our displeasure known to your advertisers and the bars that carry your paper. If you feel that you cannot apologize, in print, then
lawful actions will be taken to ensure that you cannot again insult so many of your readers.
I look forward to resolving this issue in an amicable way”
If anyone can think of anything further (besides the actions I have planned if we cannot get a retraction) including, if necessary litigation - surprisingly easy in the USA - then please let me know…
Cheers,
Grahame.
7 Responses to “This CANNOT stand unchallenged!”
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September 30th, 2003 at 7:58 am
You do what is necessary. I prefer our neighbourhood punishment beating. Baseball bat across the knuckles so he would need someone to wipe his arse for him.
Can’t get his facts right. Giggs and Ronaldo were charged, Neville, somehow got away with it. Maybe the fact Neville is plain ugly is enough punishment in the eyes of God.
September 30th, 2003 at 10:16 am
To Spike,
I have be careful what I write here B4 I get into trouble..You are a Lucky G…
Funny you got a job C…. But if you have a problem with Arsenal hey that is your problem..
1. I dont think you from North London and if you do it might be from the Tot.. Ham part
2. Am from South London so we can meet up at Central Park and sort out differences…
3. As much as I love America a friend of mine from ITV sports told me not to take comments from someone in America seriously when it comes to Football.. After comments he heard whiles in the USA, when the World Cup was held here.. There were some articles in the UK papers too about some of the comments afterwards..
It’s not too long ago that it was said on CNN “CROSSFIRE” program that -
“Soccer is a game for the 3rd world countries”
World Cup 2002
4. So to Spike I have a word for you” Shut IT”
September 30th, 2003 at 5:11 pm
I had to send a note in to the editor myself.
I honestly don’t think much of online journalism or even print journalism much in this cross-media age, but this took the cake.
It’s actually the first time I’ve ever been called an asshole, I’m a rather amicable primate.
September 30th, 2003 at 7:59 pm
Oh, how I wish I were a member of the NYC AFC Supporter’s Club right now. Mr. Sharp needs to have a humble pie smashed in his face, and I’m thinking Grahame and the gang will be just the ones to do it.
Perhaps I am a Gooner of the ‘bandwagon’ era, since December of 1997 marked the first time I ever watched an Arsenal match - nevermind *why* I began supporting them. And yes, perhaps I’m even an flaming raging asshole, since serving as a US Marine for 10 years can turn you into one at times.
But for this assclown to translate the one-time actions of a handful of players into some massive sort pf personality disorder for a club’s followers makes no sense whatsoever. To do so in a professional cpacity as a (supposed) journailist is grossly irresponsible, and just downright stupid.
Oh, yeah, Lehmann needs to be fined for being an experienced senior player stepping in when the squad’s Captain lost his cool, right? And as mentioned before, Sharp can’t even get his facts straight about how many Mancs are facing charges “at press time”. If crappy old Soccernet.com can get it right, why can’t you?
I guess now it’s clear that the absolutely horrific yellow press perpetuated by so many English ’sportswriters’ is no longer confined to UK rags like the Daily Hate Mail or the Sunday Mirror.
I would very much like to ask Mr. Sharp what our “impotent attempts to transfer domestic success into anything of significance on the continent” make Spurs look like, though. Clearly he’s a Shite Fart Lane schoolboy as well as a soon-to-be-unemployed typing munky.
October 1st, 2003 at 8:30 pm
Normally I walk away from these sorts of things but..I don’t like being herded together and called a name…besides, I can’t afford a fancy private box everytime I go see a match.Middle class,maybe, Ass hole? I don’t think so. My Email reply enclosed.
Dear Editor-
Wow-I think you better check on Spencer’s meds and give him a rest.He’s obviously frothing at the mouth and suffering from delusions. All Arsenal fans are “ass holes” ? Any sane person wouldn’t blame fans (especially one that is 5000 miles away like me) for a in the heat of the moment scuffle between 2 teams.
I can’t remember ever being called an ass hole (my dear mother did her best with me you know) and I certainly can’t think that being an Arsenal supporter alone would give me this title. I’d like to think I can earn that on my own by such actions as pushing a pregnant lady or kicking a dog, not by watching a football match at Highbury and cheering the home team…in the North Bank. (Please inform Mr. Sharp that he may pick up the tab for a box next time I go which will be Oct 18th)
I think I and every other Arsenal fan that has not been met personally by Mr. Sharp is due an apology. You have my Email address, please forward it on to him.
October 2nd, 2003 at 12:17 am
Sounds like Spencer Sharp should have changed his name to Spencer Vodafone a couple of years ago.
-G. Rex
October 4th, 2003 at 10:13 pm
Well, it looks like good ol’ Spencer doesn’t really give a damn to me:
http://www.nysportsexpress.com/1/17/departments/brushback.cfm
Perhaps a tap on the noggin with a cricket bat for a one-note lullaby is the right way to get his attention after all…