After the elections
This is a football site, but one which has always taken the view that football takes place in, and reflects, society, and cannot be considered in isolation. We therefore make no apologies for continuing to talk about racism, and political developments in the town of Burnley. With that in mind, the following are two pieces of correspondence we received following the local elections in Burnley, which we thought we’d share with you.
As a lifelong Burnley fan who remembers both good and bad times, I was recently appalled and dismayed to see that on networked and syndicated TV news our club badge and logo was displayed behind the recently elected BNP candidate.
As someone who has lived in a multi-cultural inner city environment for many years (Toxteth / Liverpool) and has always had a club sticker in my car, as of last weekend I have had to remove this. Many of my friends and colleagues are either red or blue fans, but they have always shown a fondness and quiet respect for Burnley as a real club. I contacted the club immediately to express my concern, and am awaiting a response.
I trust that the club and its fans can recognise the gravity of this situation. Can anyone even think that Ian Wright would have considered us had this occurred last season? I think not. I also feel that many of our other players of ethnic extraction will think about their careers and look at the damage that this could potentially create.
The insidious nature of the growth of racism and associated problems in football are only exacerbated by this lack of understanding, and perhaps it takes someone from outside the town to bring this to the attention of real Clarets fans who care. We saw what occurred with the Millwall mob, and I am sure that this is a pointer for the future.
I firmly believe that Burnley FC need and must make some statement to the wider football public and press. To simply say, quoting club secretary Cathy Pickup, that Burnley FC supports no particular group or party politically, is simply not good enough, and shows a lack of understanding of the bigger picture. Get real - and quickly.
Martin Dempsey
Following the results in the Burnley local elections, I would like to put forward a suggestion. Does anybody else feel like proclaiming, i.e. through some kind of positive action rather than just passive verbal dismissal of racism that BFC supporters aren’t racist - because I think we are going to have to demonstrate it. I am sure other towns and cities are going to be unsure about Burnley with the election of three BNP councillors. I don’t have any definite suggestions at this point (maybe T shirts, maybe banners?) but I do have a feeling that supporters clubs could take the lead in showing that the Football Club (and by implication the town) isn’t racist. Just a thought.
Lumberjack
May 2002
As with all articles on the site, the
views expressed in the comments section are those of the individual contributor, and do
not necessarily reflect the view of the Burnley FC London Supporters Club
