It's time for clubs to crack down on rude fans

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13: Fans at club grounds are just getting out of hand. They are being too rude to both the players and the umpires and the clubs need to step in to prevent this abuse from going on.

Things have certainly taken a turn for the worst over the years.

It’s time for the host club to always have an executive present at both cricket and football matches so when fans are being rude or nasty, they can get a warning.

Unacceptable

I’m not wanting them to be kicked out of the grounds for their first offence, but if they don’t want to be civil, then they should be kicked out of the premises.

Some of the things being shouted out to young players now is just plainly unacceptable.

These are teenage boys who love the game of cricket and if these rude fans are ruining the sport for them.

Plus some of these comments are being said in the presence of families and that’s taking away from the spirit of the game.

Sometimes it’s a case where the fans are drunk, but other times they are just being rude.

The clubs should see by catering to the rude fans, they are chasing away the families, which is not only hurting attendance at matches, but it means they are not spending money at the club.

Environment

That’s one of the reasons people aren’t coming to games, they just don’t want to be around that kind of environment.

It’s also affecting umpires who should not be subject to this abuse as well.

They are getting a small little fee of $60 or $70 to stand in the sun all day.

They have to put up with comments like ‘You’re dumb’, just ‘F-ing give up’. They should not have to put up with being cursed as they are doing the best that they can.

The worst comments are not fit to be printed.

It really crosses a line.

This happens at every game. I can guarantee every game has at least one or two rude fans shouting out nasty comments.

They need to be approached and told “This sort of behaviour is not welcome.”

I’ve done my best to brace the young players at Warwick with regard to this.

I’ve told them as you get more successful, you’ll have more people who are envious or jealous who will make nasty comments and that they will want to see them fail.

Unfortunately, that’s a part of life.

Cope

I tell my players they just have to focus on the game. They’ll never be completely ready to hear this, but at least they’ll be able to cope better .

Elsewhere in the world they ban people from club grounds for being unruly and it would be good for Bermuda to do the same.

We need to change our cricket culture because this has been accepted for too long.

Whether you go to football or cricket, you hear loud, vulgar people shouting out nasty things.

We have to change our ways and the clubs have to be willing to lead the way on this.