Obscene Utterances at the football???

[Leaping Lindner]

The following is a letter written to The Register in May 1890 complaining about the language one spectator encountered at the Adelaide vs South game in 1890. One can't help but wonder what Claud Simson would make of the supporter groups of today.

OBSCENE UTTERANCE

TO THE EDITOR

Sir – Being interested in manly pastimes I directed my steps to Adelaide Oval to witness the contest between the Adelaide and South Adelaide Football Clubs. The oval being so conveniently situated was soon reached, where everything was found trim and neat; the ground was dry and fast, the air was balmy, the glorious sun shone brightly overhead – everything combining agreeably promised a most enjoyable half-holiday.
The players played the game with gusto, and except at times a little unnecessary roughness, conducted themselves manfully. The umpire was fleet of foot, and although some of his decisions were incorrect, he must be credited with striving to be fair. Under all these happy circumstances I regret having to ask to be allowed to enter an indignant and strong protest against the blackguard minority of the spectators who polluted the pure air with a filthy torrent of blasphemous and obscene utterance. I never heard such horrible, degraded, debasing sounds as it was my misfortune to hear on the Oval to-day.
Every Australian with a spark of common decency in his composition must feel an utter contempt for these dirty-bodied, nasty-tongued creatures who misbehaved in this scandalous manner. It is shocking that innocent boys and girls should be so defiled and respectable men and women outraged by such foul language. The law is treated with insolence by these screechers. Surely the law is not impotent to vindicate its authority. Our manhood, our reputations cry aloud for this evil to be repressed.
Awaken! Sleepy law, and command your plain-clothes constables to remove those abusive, offensive, howling persons from the society of decent men and women,

I am, Sir, &c.,
Claud H.Simson
West Adelaide, May 10.

(from “The Register” May 17th 1890)

[Rushby Hinds]

Gold thread LL!


...so this is where the forefathers of CDFC fans were spawned. I thought they all came out on boats in the 1950's.

[godoubleblues]

imagine if he watched television today

[Booney]

My thoughts exactly Borat.Perhaps these gentlemen were off the intial fleet to migrate to our shores?

[spell_check]

A few years ago I came across a letter published in the Advertiser dated 7/5/1908, describing:

"Larrikins at Alberton Oval with disgusting conduct and filthy language kept many respectable people away." and "Hurling insulting and obscene epithets at both players and public."

[am Bays]

"Larrikins at Alberton Oval with disgusting conduct and filthy language kept many respectable people away." and "Hurling insulting and obscene epithets at both players and public."

The more things change the more things stay the same......