Strange this that there are so many on here that are morally "correct" given that I posted after the Murrayfield Magic weekend about a crew of Wakey fans who spent the day abusing our group and throwing pints at us.

I was told to pretty much keep my nose out of things.

You have idiots too, all clubs do, but it would be nice if you could appreciate your own failings before pointing fingers at others.

No because that's illegal! I'd call him a Pirate.

im an anorexic in denial with flowing locks of hair

Just think before you post comments on this particular subject.

Comments taken from the Cas fans forums have been quoted in various articles in the local and national press. Any derogatory or homophobic comments not only reflect badly on the fans, but the club and the sport in general.

You're absolutely right. And given that we're dealing with a specific issue here, it always amazes me that people with young children of their own could consider this sort of abuse to be OK in the name of banter. No one knows how their kids may turn out later in life. And if their own sons or daughters took up careers as professional sportsmen and women, and just happened to be gay as well ('cos lets face it, it's not just other people's children), would they still feel happy to sit in the stands and watch their kids compete whilst having this kind of abuse thrown at them, all "just a bit of banter", you know, "just for a laugh"? I somehow very much doubt it.

In any case, this particular message board will not act as a vehicle for such opinions to be broadcast, and I couldn't care less if people think that's "pc gone mad".

Quote ="headhunter"Presumably you also think it's would be acceptable to call Gareth Raynor on the other wing a 'n*gger' then.'" Dont try presuming what i think. Its quite ironic the player you should pick as an example,one that admiited racially abusing and assaulting someone. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/ju ... uperleague Its was a dig at our "namby pampy" nation,people are far too sensitive.It was a dig that our nation has gone PC crazy.Flamin eck we cant call a blackboard a blackboard,we cant tell age old nursery rhymes,all for fear of someone screaming they are been abused/victimised or discriminated against. And no,i dont think calling Raynor the name above is acceptable,i would prefer to call him "Inkman"

Quote ="headhunter"Presumably you also think it's would be acceptable to call Gareth Raynor on the other wing a 'n*gger' then.'" Dont try presuming what i think. Its quite ironic the player you should pick as an example,one that admiited racially abusing and assaulting someone. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/ju ... uperleague Its was a dig at our "namby pampy" nation,people are far too sensitive.It was a dig that our nation has gone PC crazy.Flamin eck we cant call a blackboard a blackboard,we cant tell age old nursery rhymes,all for fear of someone screaming they are been abused/victimised or discriminated against. And no,i dont think calling Raynor the name above is acceptable,i would prefer to call him "Inkman"

Not quite what happened at Murrayfield or how you reported it on here. Also you were not told to 'keep your nose out' when you did post it on here most people were apologetic and shocked regarding the '1' pint that was thrown. So about as accurate as your usual offerings!

Good post; some comments and opinions on this thread are, quite frankly, disgraceful.

I suppose it's almost inevitable that some idiots are intending to embarass themselves, the club and the sport by taunting Thomas from the safety of the terraces tomorrow. That's a real worry, as it's the club that'll face sanctions and right now, that's about the last thing we need.

As usual, I'll bet that none of the people making snide comments would have the bottle to do it face to face, for fear of getting leathered.

Total rubbish. If you can still find a blackboard anywhere then it will still be called a blackboard. Just as whiteboards, which have replaced blackboards, are called whiteboards. Which nursery rhymes have been banned? Still use all the old ones where I work including baa baa black sheep to which I presume you are referring. I wouldn't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail/Sun.

Have you considered basing your opinions on real life, rather than the frothing rants of Gary Bushell and/or Jeremy Clarkson?

I don't have a problem with people arguing [iwhy [/ithey hold certain opinions. I just don't think some of the comments that appeared in the course of this thread were very helpful, particularly in view of the topic being discussed.

Like most of us, I hope that people will be able to enjoy the game, support their team in a positive way, and not show their club in a bad light in the process. That may be naive of me, but you live in hope.

Quote ="J.T"Total rubbish. If you can still find a blackboard anywhere then it will still be called a blackboard. Just as whiteboards, which have replaced blackboards, are called whiteboards. Which nursery rhymes have been banned? Still use all the old ones where I work including baa baa black sheep to which I presume you are referring. I wouldn't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail/Sun.'" Did i say they were banned???? news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4782856.stm Just one example,loads more to pick from!!!!

Quote ="J.T"Total rubbish. If you can still find a blackboard anywhere then it will still be called a blackboard. Just as whiteboards, which have replaced blackboards, are called whiteboards. Which nursery rhymes have been banned? Still use all the old ones where I work including baa baa black sheep to which I presume you are referring. I wouldn't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail/Sun.'" Did i say they were banned???? news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4782856.stm Just one example,loads more to pick from!!!!

Another one on his high horse.You dont know me from Adam,so dont attempt to understand what i base my opinions on.You have absolutely no idea.

Do the above named people come on these forums,as ive aboslutley no idea what they rant about.

Why dont you stop being a woolly liberal!!!!!!!!!!!!and take a look at what really is going on in the real world.

If you seriously believe this country hasnt gone PC mad,good luck to you,i cant wait for you tell me next that Father Xmas is real.

Quote ="TURFEDOUT"Did i say they were banned???? news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4782856.stm Just one example,loads more to pick from!!!!'" Just one extreme example, from four years ago, misquoted as far as context goes. Read the story and it suggest that critics (of the sensationalist press variety) are overreacting. Yes there are rare examples that do go beyond common sense. However, whilst clearly misguided in their effort to redeem a perceived wrong in society, at least in the case of the story above, the council had it about them to retract the original guidance that they issued. Ultimately a far more level-headed response than the crap that gets trotted out by those who issue the calls of 'it's political correctness gone mad'.

Quote ="TURFEDOUT"Did i say they were banned???? news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4782856.stm Just one example,loads more to pick from!!!!'" Just one extreme example, from four years ago, misquoted as far as context goes. Read the story and it suggest that critics (of the sensationalist press variety) are overreacting. Yes there are rare examples that do go beyond common sense. However, whilst clearly misguided in their effort to redeem a perceived wrong in society, at least in the case of the story above, the council had it about them to retract the original guidance that they issued. Ultimately a far more level-headed response than the crap that gets trotted out by those who issue the calls of 'it's political correctness gone mad'.

Banter is part and parcel of the game, they are playing the toughest sport in the world, not an 11-12yo Horbury School chess tournament. Gareth Thomas will take it in a light hearted way just has he did the bald jokes which led to him rubbing his own head after scoring.

Now if fans confront him outside the ground throwing homophobic remarks his way then it's an harrassment issue. As for racism most fans know the difference between the differing levels of banter, harrassment and racism. As a gay male (not really) I won't hit the fan next to me when he sings "Gareth takes it up etc etc do dah." but if I was of dark coloured skin and the guy next to me was labelling Raynor a you know what, I'd give him the old biff.

At the end of the day we made fun of Ryan Atkins courting techniques so why not Gareth's? I remember when Sean Long scored a try against Halifax and he made fun of their male supporters persuasions. Though I think the RFL pulled him up for that so everything I just said is poppycock!

Because being gay isn't a 'courting technique'. Homosexuality isn't something to have 'banter' about, it's not as if he has had some sort of embarrassing experience or done anything to warrant making a joke out of. You're just marginalising a guy for no reason and it's embarrassing both for you and your club.

TBF calling him a "gay b******" is homophobic and offensive in general and should see people ejected/warned, now singing about an act isn't in my opinion showing hatred. (perhaps too lewd for a family event though?) I'd take offense if I was a player and fans were getting ejected for singing that I "give it to lots of women etc." Also remarks shouted like 'I bet you'll get a red card today Tommo so you can get in the bath first ready' is in my opinion fair. It's the context.
If a player played against us with a gambling problem we'd marginalise him!

This is how much Gareth Thomas thinks this is banter.

“We went to Castleford last weekend and it was the first time I’ve had a negative reaction from a crowd. I was warming up and somebody shouted, ‘Thomas, you’re gay!’ and I felt like turning around and saying, ‘I f***ing know! I told the Daily Mail. Everybody in the UK knows that!’ Then a crowd started singing [obscene things about me and I’m not going to lie and say it didn’t hurt, but how sad is that? How sad are people for doing that?
“And they couldn’t confront me. They stood in their thousands at the back of the crowd but would probably say nothing if I walked past them in the street. And that makes me feel stronger.”
There have been articles in the Yorkshire Post, YEP, Mail, Times, Sunday Times & League Express. Have a look at other RL forums, 99% of people think what went off as Cas was disgusting and the RFL as looking into this matter.

By the way, the rubbing of his head is nothing to do with his baldness. It’s an Ayatollah salute adapted by Cardiff City fans when the club was bought by Sam Hamman, Gareth Thomas is huge Cardiff City supporter and used this as a celebration before he went bald.

The club doesn’t need any negative publicity at this moment in time.

=#8000FF

Thousands of them it was 10 18-20 year olds who are abusive and obscene at every ground and the sooner the club ban them the better.

Well if the club knows exactly who these people are and does nothing about them, then the club deserves to be punished.

If the club doesn't know, but all the fans know who the people are, then Gareth Thomas is absolutely correct in his assessment.

There's absolutely no reason why any player should be subject to abuse of this nature. Lambast them for their performance, if you really have to, because that's all you've paid to see. Anything else is frankly none of your business.

“And they couldn’t confront me. They stood in their thousands at the back of the crowd but would probably say nothing if I walked past them in the street. And that makes me feel stronger.”

...And that is why he should take it with a pinch of salt! Like "99%" of other RL players let his Rugby answer his knockers! I've seen some of the abuse team mates give each other on Myspace and facebook and it's brutal, Jeez grow a pair! Turn around and smile at the fans!
I remember several Wildcats fans singing chubby songs about Castleford's Michael Smith and he gave us all the world's smallest violin gesture.
Union players must are so straight!

It's a good topic of debate to be honest, you're going to get fans commenting about all manner of things, I think we've all been guilty at some stage, of even some chants that aren't true, Crabree "Gypo" Griffin "Teapot" Bird "Beefeater" it's where the line is drawn.
It's hard to chastise and control 5,000-10,000 fans and the fact, irony even, that a huge and tough quality Rugby player has claimed he fancies men will always get at least one youth calling him something or other. I think the more Thomas moans the more sledging he will recieve! Craig Smith just got on with the game and played it hard, not many ribbed him.

It's none of our business that's true but fans always look for an angle to put opposition off or indimidate, whether it's shouting "ooooooohhhh" when a kicker is about to kick a goal' if a player has taken drugs in the past, "Druggie!!!" or left their club in unfavourable terms, "Judas!!!"

It's always been evident in Rugby league, they mustn't be used to it in RU.

=#8000FFThe thing is fans know who they are but the club can't/won't do anything without "evidence", facebook statuses admitting it aren't enough it seems.

The bloke is pulling on the shirt and having a go in the toughest sport in the world, at 36 years of age. For that he deserves respect. His sexuality, colour , race etc is of no concern to me.