The minutes silence debate

[Lenny Rider]

With the sad passing of Mel Hopkins, I see Walt has already ask Insider about any provision for a mark of respect but it is a difficult situation.

If they have a minutes silence for Mel this week, is that not a slap in the face for families of Bobby Smith and Norman Wisdom?

But then on the other side where do you start and stop with the minutes silence?

If a long standing supporter died the same week as Sir Norman or Bobby, would they not be just as worthy of a moment of quiet as the aforementioned?

I would actually like to have an annual 'period of silence' at the first home game of the new year to remember all those connected with the club who have passed away in the previous 12 months, wouldn't that then cover all the different circumstances?

 

[The Large One]

There was a spate, about five years ago, of having a minute's silence for almost anything and anyone - the Soham murders, that lorry driver in Iraq who was killed - and for me it never felt appropriate. Where do you draw the line with whose life you are 'remembering'?

There are many ways an individual, a group of friends, or a large entity (company, football club etc) can mark the passing of a friend or colleague. A minute's silence is not the only way, nor is it necessarily the most appropriate way.

One has to be circumspect over what is arguably the most extreme of human emotions, and having an association with the Albion does not necessarily - on its own - justify having a minute's silence to mark their passing. By the same token I certainly don't find it an insult when a particular person does not get this mark. It's certainly not a popularity contest, (ref. your point about 'a slap in the face').

In this instance, I don't feel it appropriate for Mel Hopkins to receive a minute's silence this week. There has to be a certain understanding and appreciation (not necessarily popularity) for the person in question, and I just don't there is that from enough people for him.

Older fans may well disagree, and fair play to them, but I fear there would be an unfortunate element of 'who?'

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Agree with TLO. [and the thread starter]

Do what Southampton do, and chose one particular day per year to remember all associated with the club, who have passed away.

They do it, for obvious reasons, on All Saints day. The particular date we choose isn't important.

 

[Giraffe]

I would actually like to have an annual 'period of silence' at the first home game of the new year to remember all those connected with the club who have passed away in the previous 12 months, wouldn't that then cover all the different circumstances?

I agree with this. How about relating the date to something that is at least local though. Perhaps a date when the Royal Sussex Regiment endured it's worse casualties? Which I suspect is 9th May, Battle of Aubers Ridge.

Or the boxing day/new years day game for those that have lost their lives in the last year?

 

[The Peanut Roaster]

I agree with this. How about relating the date to something that is at least local though. Perhaps a date when the Royal Sussex Regiment endured it's worse casualties?

That's a good call.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

I think all football clubs have become aware that these ' mark of respects ' were getting a little out of hand and everyone and his mother were being acknowledged.
We are not set up at Withdean to honour the departed with a tribute via electronic scoreboard but lets hope that there will be one at the Amex and due respect can be paid via onscreen tributes.
There is a happy medium to strike and I do think that mentioning Bobby Smith as the fans trooped out the ground was totally inappropriate. He at least deserved a mention prior to kick-off or at half-time. Likewise, Mel Hopkins deserves a mention but not a minutes silence.

 

[alan partridge]

What with Falmer coming up, and as has been mentioned many times, the fact that many Brighton fans didn't live to see it, how about the first game of the season?

Be nice if it weren't impossible for names of fans to be read out who would have definitely been there if they could have. Perhaps too many that families would like to be mentioned, I don't know.

 

[Ernest]

I think a tribute article in the programme is more fitting these days as the minutes silence/applause/whatever has been devalued due to overuse.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I think a tribute article in the programme is more fitting these days as the minutes silence/applause/whatever has been devalued due to overuse.

Holy crap, I find myself agreeing with Ernest

Ken Bigley was the most inappropriate minute's silence ever. No connection with the Albion or Sussex, no connection with football whatsoever and he wasn't a figure of national importance, with the greatest respect to his family. I was flabbergasted when we were asked to pay silent tribute to him.

 

[Brovion]

Agree with TLO. [and the thread starter]

Do what Southampton do, and chose one particular day per year to remember all associated with the club, who have passed away.

They do it, for obvious reasons, on All Saints day. The particular date we choose isn't important.

I've said this before, I think Southampton's idea is excellent. Maybe we should try an find an appropriate date?

I have to say I sympathise with the club, there is the whole thorny debate of who 'deserves' a minute's silence and who doesn't. Speaking personally (and probably against the majority on here) I think the club were right not to do them for Wisdom and Smith and they shouldn't do one for Hopkins. My reasoning is that as people they weren't really 'ours'. Smith and Hopkins, whilst they did excellent jobs, were only here for a few seasons (only one in Smith's case) at the arse-end of their careers and are rightly better remembered by the world at large as Spurs players. Wisdom was a director for a short spell, but wasn't actually a Brighton fan and there was always the suspicion he was only doing it for the publicity.

Not that they're dead yet but when the time comes I also feel we shouldn't have specific silences for players like Peter Sayer, John Ruggerio, Peter Suddaby, etc who also played a part in our success in the 'Glory Years' but weren't here for long.

 

[goldstone]

I've said this before, I think Southampton's idea is excellent. Maybe we should try an find an appropriate date?

I have to say I sympathise with the club, there is the whole thorny debate of who 'deserves' a minute's silence and who doesn't. Speaking personally (and probably against the majority on here) I think the club were right not to do them for Wisdom and Smith and they shouldn't do one for Hopkins. My reasoning is that as people they weren't really 'ours'. Smith and Hopkins, whilst they did excellent jobs, were only here for a few seasons (only one in Smith's case) at the arse-end of their careers and are rightly better remembered by the world at large as Spurs players. Wisdom was a director for a short spell, but wasn't actually a Brighton fan and there was always the suspicion he was only doing it for the publicity.

Not that they're dead yet but when the time comes I also feel we shouldn't have specific silences for players like Peter Sayer, John Ruggerio, Peter Suddaby, etc who also played a part in our success in the 'Glory Years' but weren't here for long.

Agree with that. Too many "minute's silence" devalues the whole thing. S'oton's idea is a very good one, plus of course the mention in the program.

 

[jcdenton08]

I am disappointed that we do not have a minute's silence on Boxing Day to remember the life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

 

[Giraffe]

I am disappointed that we do not have a minute's silence on Boxing Day to remember the life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

Er surely that would be more appropriate at Easter.

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

I think a tribute article in the programme is more fitting these days as the minutes silence/applause/whatever has been devalued due to overuse.

Agree with this. With perhaps a line or two read out before kick off or at half time so those that don't buy a programme are aware

 

[Lush]

Maybe on the last match day of the year in December, to remember all those who have died during the year? A minutes applause might help warm up the hands too.

 

[clippedgull]

I'm not one for this forced mass grieving, apart from Remembrance Sunday where brave people are honoured.

But if we have to endure it for all and sundry, then once a season is plenty.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Maybe on the last match day of the year in December, to remember all those who have died during the year? A minutes applause might help warm up the hands too.

Great suggestion!

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

In all of this, I think the club appears to have an over-inflated opinion of the importance of its over-priced, underwhelming match day programme. Mel Hopkins was before my time. However, I can fully understand the desire of older fans to collectively pay their respects. Simply reading an article in a programme isn't sufficient. That's an opportunity for the club to pay its respects, rather than an opportunity for the fans.