Chamber
Plenary, 07 Mar 2007
07 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Football (Sectarianism)
I thank Alasdair Morrison for securing today's debate.
People do not realise how much progress has been made. When I went to Ibrox and Parkhead just after the war, there were problems with sectarianism. I started working in the Glasgow shipyards in 1947. One day, this little rivet catcher came over to me and asked, "Football man?" I said, "Aye." "Rangers?" "No." "Celtic?" "No." "Are you an atheist?" It was that deeply ingrained in the culture: people had to be either a Rangers supporter or a Celtic supporter.
I declare an interest, as a director of the finest exponents of football in Scotland: Motherwell FC. I was very pleased at the attitude of the fans last week when—putting this in the proper context—four or five yobs among a group of about 20 made racial chants at a St Johnstone player. All the Motherwell fans around them stood up and pointed at that group. Unfortunately, the police could not pick out exactly who were the three or four people who had caused the upset.
Before our game against Hearts, everyone going into the ground got a "Kick racism out of football" sticker, and the players stood around the centre circle and waved red cards saying, "Show Racism the Red Card." The behaviour that was displayed a week ago should be dealt with. It is totally foreign to Motherwell Football Club. Eliphas Shivute, Benito Kemble and Don Goodman—good players for Motherwell Football Club—are some of my best friends in football. Racism was never a problem for them.
Sectarianism used to be very bad but, on the last two occasions when I went to Ibrox and Parkhead, I noted that the fans applauded good moves. It is quite unusual for a packed house of rabid football fans to applaud a good move rather than get into the usual chants.
Jack McConnell should be congratulated on his initiative to wipe sectarianism out of football, and Celtic and Rangers should be congratulated on the excellent progress they have made. When my team plays at Ibrox or Parkhead now, there is never any sectarian influence at all. The fans go to see a football game, and they enjoy it. That is the way it should be, and it is down to the excellent initiatives that both old firm clubs have started up. Long may it continue.
People do not realise how much progress has been made. When I went to Ibrox and Parkhead just after the war, there were problems with sectarianism. I started working in the Glasgow shipyards in 1947. One day, this little rivet catcher came over to me and asked, "Football man?" I said, "Aye." "Rangers?" "No." "Celtic?" "No." "Are you an atheist?" It was that deeply ingrained in the culture: people had to be either a Rangers supporter or a Celtic supporter.
I declare an interest, as a director of the finest exponents of football in Scotland: Motherwell FC. I was very pleased at the attitude of the fans last week when—putting this in the proper context—four or five yobs among a group of about 20 made racial chants at a St Johnstone player. All the Motherwell fans around them stood up and pointed at that group. Unfortunately, the police could not pick out exactly who were the three or four people who had caused the upset.
Before our game against Hearts, everyone going into the ground got a "Kick racism out of football" sticker, and the players stood around the centre circle and waved red cards saying, "Show Racism the Red Card." The behaviour that was displayed a week ago should be dealt with. It is totally foreign to Motherwell Football Club. Eliphas Shivute, Benito Kemble and Don Goodman—good players for Motherwell Football Club—are some of my best friends in football. Racism was never a problem for them.
Sectarianism used to be very bad but, on the last two occasions when I went to Ibrox and Parkhead, I noted that the fans applauded good moves. It is quite unusual for a packed house of rabid football fans to applaud a good move rather than get into the usual chants.
Jack McConnell should be congratulated on his initiative to wipe sectarianism out of football, and Celtic and Rangers should be congratulated on the excellent progress they have made. When my team plays at Ibrox or Parkhead now, there is never any sectarian influence at all. The fans go to see a football game, and they enjoy it. That is the way it should be, and it is down to the excellent initiatives that both old firm clubs have started up. Long may it continue.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-5596, in the name of Alasdair Morrison, on celebrating success.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament welcomes the substantive progress being made in tackling sectarianism in Scotland; commends the initiatives undertaken by Scotland's larg...
Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab):
Lab
I extend a warm welcome to representatives of Rangers Football Club who are in the public gallery.The twin evils of bigotry and racism blight many societies ...
Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Alasdair Morrison on bringing forward this debate, which is timely and appropriate. It is clear that, in Scotland, we have a significant probl...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Alasdair Morrison on securing the debate and on his speech, which covered the ground well. Kenny MacAskill also made many good points.We are a...
John Swinburne (Central Scotland) (SSCUP):
SSCUP
I thank Alasdair Morrison for securing today's debate. People do not realise how much progress has been made. When I went to Ibrox and Parkhead just after th...
Dave Petrie (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I thank Alasdair Morrison, as well as other members, for bringing up this important issue. I recall with horror my only visit—in the early 1970s—to an old fi...
Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind):
Ind
I do not disagree with many of Dave Petrie's assertions, and I support the moves to end sectarian and racist behaviour that Alasdair Morrison spoke about. Ho...
Dave Petrie:
Con
I take Margo MacDonald's point, but I do not think that it is directly related to the debate.We need to look at the issue of more police on the streets. As r...
Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate my colleague Alasdair Morrison on securing the debate. It is especially timely, given that an old firm derby is to be held this weekend and wa...
The Deputy Minister for Justice (Johann Lamont):
Lab
I, too, congratulate Alasdair Morrison on securing this important debate. In particular, I thank him for recognising the Executive's efforts and those of our...
John Swinburne:
SSCUP
Does the minister agree with me that the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980, which banned alcohol from football grounds, was a gigantic step forward in con...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
I understand that alcohol can fuel sectarianism and cause difficulties, but alcohol is also sometimes used as an alibi. As with other forms of violence, peop...
Meeting closed at 17:45.