Tom Hark

[amberaleman]

Right, this is where I put on my "grumpy old man" hat.

One of the things that annoys me as a footie away fan is celebratory music played when the home side scores. A particularly irritating choice of PA announcers is 'Tom Hark' (a tune which, in other contexts, I'm actually quite fond of). I first heard this as a goal accompaniment at Reading FC a few seasons ago. Recently, it's spread virus-like to some non-League grounds. This season I've heard it at (if memory serves!) Eastbourne and Dorchester. Personally, I found it more irksome than the Eastbourne drum. At Dorchester, we Sutton fans had to endure it five times.

What is the point of playing a burst of loud music after a goal? Do some people think the home fans need to be encouraged to celebrate?

It wouldn't be so bad if the music were also played when the visiting team scored - but, of course, it never is.

This sort of barrage is the musical equivalent of crowing at the away supporters. At best, it's bad manners. At worst (if tension is running high), it amounts to incitement.

I'm thinking of starting a campaign to outlaw this pestilent practice. Who's with me?

[medibot]

I'm more pissed off with f*cking "easy" chants. Mainly because the sort of sad f*cker up watching soccer AM in the morning is the sort of sad f*cker who decides it is a marvellous idea to sing it in public at the most inappropriate times.

[Giggy of Telford]

Surely it would be easier than campaigning to just start winning more away games......I'll be quiet.

[ambersalamander]

Yeah, I find it extremely annoying when they play that when they score but nothing when the opposition do- it's not sporting in my opinion. In fact Mr Aleman, we've been to three grounds this season where they've played that tune when they score. The other one was Bedford, I think? It was recent anyway. Wasn't Newport as far as I can remember. And bloody Eastbourne combine that AND drums

Medibot, I think you've completely missed the point- the Dorchester fans were chanting "easy" in an ironic way, because it was about the hardest fought victory ever! They were, in other words, only joking.

I wonder if Bognor play a tune when they score... don't think we'll ever find out though! bognor haven't scored against us since about 1906 ;D

[medibot]

They were being so ironic they came right the way round to where we were standing which was completely out of the way of any exits and the bar to sing it...

Yeah. Bollocks.

And i've not missed the point, the point is that it is the most braindead, moronic and downright f*cking insulting thing you can sing at a football game. I thought football fans were meant to be witty with their songs and i thought Dorchester fans were meant to be civilised but i was delightfully proved wrong.

[frankiegth]

I also hate to hear celebratory music when any side score. All very ice hockey I reckon. Tom hark is played at Northwich Vics, and I've also heard Amarillo played as well elsewhere.

To be honest it is not very prevalent in con north.

As for the "easy" chant I've not heard that at all in league games, only at Kings Lynn in the cup. Perhaps it's a southern league thing.

[malxscfc]

Hate it too.
What purpose on earth can playing music achieve at that time?
- Does it entertain? - doubt it, as the scoring team's fans are too busy celebrating anyway.
- Does it inform? - ey? Apart from DaveT who always times his ablutions with the Salisbury goal I would guess most fans (both Home & Away) may just have spotted the event...
- Does it add to the atmosphere of the occasion? - not at that instant, no.

So it's definitely 'Villain' for me!

[BTW, for our Forest game our usual PA man is in Australia watching us lose the Ashes. As his deputy, I would normally be on duty. Sadly (I feel) the Directors in their wisdom have decided to take up an offer from the local Commercial Radio Station for them to provide a PA person for the event. (The Director informed me of this in the Bognor Bar, using some aptly chosen phrase like "We've decided to get a Professional in... )
This Radio Station is nicknamed "Dire FM" by most of us, who have been watching them jump 2-footed on to every bandwagon going at SCFC, then retiring invisible every other game, for several years. They are entitled our "Media Partner" . Most of us would be seeking a Divorce Lawyer if a real-life 'Partner' treated us like they do.
I just fear that my Mentor's adage that 'Less Is More' when on the mike is correct. That people are there to enjoy the football, not to listen to us.
I fear that 'Dire' will play all their usual cheesy commercial music, make inapt attempts at showing their 'knowledge' of the players, talk too much, use stupid devices like Amberaleman's favourite Tom Hark at inopportune times, and generally try to make it look (on TV) like they're responsible for everything which goes on at Salisbury City...

There. Said it. Thanks for letting me get it off my chest. We're not allowed to speak our minds on our Forum these days, I'm afraid... And there's no sour grapes [I'll be doing the Electronic Scoreboard etc] - I just FEEL that, on our big day, their brand of broadcast will make us look less like a Professional Football Club, and more like a hairdressing salon......

[medibot]

malx, surely as the normal operator of the PA, you're at least entitled to a meeting with the "professionals" replacing you?

Just so they have a vague idea what to do and realise it isn't an ice hockey game/county fair/radio show only the dj's mum listens too.

[frankiegth]

Affraid I'd have to have told the director that the next time the regular chap was unavailable and you're playing a "bread and butter" game "Go and get your partners at direFM to do it"

I don't know you at all but clubs like ours depend on people like you to "muck in" and that's what keep the club going. Not glory hunting commercial radio stations who act like the opportunists they actually are.

Have a bit of backbone and tell 'em to stuff it mi duck.

BTW, no offence meant by the have a bit of backbone remark. I merely mean, don't let 'em take you for granted as it would appear they are doing, to me as a total outsider.

[malxscfc]

I don't mind being taken for granted just this once - the rest of the time I really enjoy being part of it all, so am willing to put up with the warbling cuckoo in 'my' nest just this once, as long as my name is not associated with 'them'.

And no, MB, I seriously doubt the "Pro's" realise the value of the PA in its Safety role, nor to give out the standard pieces of information expected by the faithful. But it's time to wash my hands of that.

BTW, I can't walk away, as I've promised my ticket to someone else...

All will be well.

[frankiegth]

Enjoy ya day mate.