Thanks for that. I just found a free (non-rupert obviously) indirect link to that article via a google search. Very interesting how Syed talks about the fetishisation of grief and how it's moved into the realms of manufactured soap opera territory.

My orignal post was no about grieving or twitter , rupert etc etc , fetishisation but had leeds made the right or wrong descision in not observing a minuties silence i appreciatation of mick shaw , he was not a "leeds legend "or a household name (as gary speed )but should have leeds done the right thing in recognising a ex leeds player had passed away , its not as if it happens every week at least they could have played with black arm bands , if they can play with red hair !!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe the club didn't give a minute's silence for Mick, very sad.

Given that Leeds have played since 1895, there will be several former players who die every year - many with much longer careers at Leeds than Shaw. I do think that the minute's silence can be easily devalued into something completely pointless if done too often.

...and slightly at a tangent - does your average factory have a minutes silence before work starts in a morning every time a former (not even a current) employee dies ?

They played with black armbands last week.

I don't think there is any fixed criteria regarding 'a minutes silence' before a match although it has been generally reserved for former players, officials, employees and I seem to remember even supporters but all of note ie: that have given outstanding service to the club.

I have no objection at all if the club also decide to include from time to time the rememberance of other tragic loss of life outside the club which catches the mood of the public. Has the level of compassion in our civilisation dropped so low that we cannot spare just one minute occasionally to show repect to other people's loss.

The recent 'silence' for the 5 young army lads killed in Afghanistan was IMO fitting as they were from our northern community and I understand it brought some small confort to their devastated families. I was brought up in the days when people would stop in the street when a funeral cortege passed by and the gentlemen would take off their hats.

I still do this my dad used to always make us as kids stop and take our hats of or bow our heads when a funeral past. Sort of stuck with me and have always done it

An alternative "Wootton Bassett" type venue would have been far more appropriate for those wishing to share their politically-motivated grief among themselves.

Yes, those happy days before the internet was around to enable posters to make inaccurate statements.

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I agree minute silences should be kept to a minimum if they are to remain meaningful. Mick Shaw, (38 App, 13 Tries, 52 Points) would probably miss out.

Agree totally with the last part. For me too many minutes silence waters down the effect. For me they should be to a minimum to keep them meaningful. There are other ways to pay respect for instance black arm band etc

I honestly don't see why any mark of respect can be "diluted" tbh.
We do it because people have died not as any kind of p!$$ing comp whether it's a minutes silence/applause or black arm bands there's nothing wrong with showing respect for those that have died especially IF they've represented our club ,the city or county/country.