It's a red card for City Gent's antics

8:00am Monday 24th August 2009 in News Photograph of the Author Exclusive By James Rush, T&A Reporter

Bradford City’s City Gent Lenny Berry in his matchday guise Bradford City’s City Gent Lenny Berry in his matchday guise

For years Bradford City’s City Gent mascot has entertained the Valley Parade faithful by throwing sweets into the stands and light-heartedly exposing his considerable belly.

But now City Gent, aka Lenny Berry, has been ordered by club officials to pull the plug on his antics – on health and safety grounds.

Mr Berry, who wears a bowler hat and carries a briefcase in his City Gent guise, has fallen foul of an attempt by the club to improve behaviour at the ground.

David Dowse, facilities manager at Bradford City, said: “We have introduced a code of practice for the matches and most of that is connected to health and safety and we were actually trying to prevent other things being thrown in the stadium.

“We have asked him not to be on the pitch perimeter during the match because that could lead to confusion for the officials.”

Mr Dowse said of the sweet-throwing: “Under health and safety grounds if that was to hit somebody in the eye it could cause some injury to them and the other issue is when he does that there tends to be a surge of people trying to get some sweets.”

Mr Dowse said last season a boy fell and was hurt when there was a surge for promotional goods being thrown into the crowd.

Mr Dowse confirmed Mr Berry had also been asked to refrain from lifting up his shirt on the pitch as it provoked chants and swearing from some sections of the crowd. He said: “He’s been asked not to do anything which leads to abusive chants. We have to make sure that we are a stadium where youngsters and older people enjoy coming and one of the things we are looking at is bad language.”

Alan Carling, chairman of the Bradford City Supporters Trust, said: “Obviously if there have been incidents involving young children we have to be very careful about that but it would be a great shame if the rapport between Lenny and the younger supporters was to be broken because that is a real feature of match day at Bradford City.

“I hope that while bearing in mind all the health and safety aspects, the club can find a way in which Lenny could continue to play the role he plays so well.”

Comments(47)

Rambo says...
9:04am Mon 24 Aug 09

I've been going to VP for 13 years.
And this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read about the club.
.
“He’s been asked not to do anything which leads to abusive chants."
What next? No music? No goal celebrations? Why not just ban goals alltogether, on grounds that it might upset the opposing fans.
.
I've said before there will be a multi-million pound H&S department set up specifically to look for nonsense like this.

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TheCoach says...
9:13am Mon 24 Aug 09

What an absolute load of old sh**e,, whoever is incharge of making decisions like this should be sacked,,, they are a disgrace. Can we also suggest that players only shoot on target as somone in the crowd maybe hit with the ball. If this continues we may have to ban shots on goal altogether.
Can i ask, in the years that Lenny has been gently tossing sweets into the crowd how many reported incidents of serious eye injuries has there been??????!!!!!!!!!!
!! I've never seen one...
You ought to be ashamed BCFC.......

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proxymoron says...
9:22am Mon 24 Aug 09

As kids come through the turnstiles, give them some sweets. No throwing into the crowd, no rushing down to the front for things that have been handed out - but still letting the kids have a bit more fun.

Lenny may as well not bother turning up if his personality isn't allowed to come out. For a club that won awards for its family oriented campaigns, this is a crying shame, City.

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thomas.christine5 says...
9:38am Mon 24 Aug 09

I am a pensioner and season ticket holder and have been for a long time. I go to matches with my son and grandchildren who are nearly 3 and 5. They look forward to seeing Lenny and Billy Bantam, it makes their day. Lenny's 'ANTICS' on the pitch prematch cheers everybody up, and he has a lovely belly. Which takes me to another debate about under three's not being allowed in. the youngest one has been going all last season and really enjoys it. who will tell him this season he can't go. Have they gone mad at VP??????

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albion says...
10:35am Mon 24 Aug 09

Apart from Jacobs semaphore fingers he is the most interesting thing in the place.

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Storck says...
10:37am Mon 24 Aug 09

There seem to be some really strange decisions coming our of VP at the moment.
The new no under 2 policy, no live radio coverage and also the ban on Lenny.
It must be a very quiet day on the news front though as this was announced a couple of weeks ago, just like the Under 2 policy which has not be meantioned anywhere in the T&A.

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Pippin says...
10:40am Mon 24 Aug 09

Now, I know that referees and linesmen are, shall we say somewhat myopically challenged, but I doubt that if even Blind Pew, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder were the three officials they could ever mistake Lenny for a professional footballer.

Yet another own goal from City on the PR front.

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Mercury_Lime says...
10:48am Mon 24 Aug 09

Also regarding the giving the sweets out at the gate as kids enter.... good idea BUT..... City don't buy the sweets, Lenny does also he has to pay to get in, pay for his shirt, pay for away games. He dos this because he loves the club and now they slap him in the face with this c**p.... WHY??

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Jorge says...
10:52am Mon 24 Aug 09

Is this new guy just some pc led jobsworth trying to justify his salary? I've never read anything so pathetic for ages. The club should be ashamed of themselves for approving thiss garbage. Get a grip for goodness sake, whats happening to our society? Absolutely shameful.

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Mercury_Lime says...
11:01am Mon 24 Aug 09

Jorge wrote:
Is this new guy just some pc led jobsworth trying to justify his salary? I've never read anything so pathetic for ages. The club should be ashamed of themselves for approving thiss garbage. Get a grip for goodness sake, whats happening to our society? Absolutely shameful.
Well said (Wrote)!!!!

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macca1969 says...
11:18am Mon 24 Aug 09

Its an absolute disgrace,yet another own goal by the so called pen pushers who are running our club.The atmosphere will suffer, as Lenny was a key player of the crowd and with it more and more disgruntled fans will stop watching.Mark my words within 5 years we will have gates of less than 5 thousand maybe 4

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c/pot says...
11:20am Mon 24 Aug 09

Health and safety is someone having a laugh?What about the garbage being dished up on the pitch that could seriously damage our health,not to mention trade description.

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finemess says...
11:46am Mon 24 Aug 09

I can see this turning up in Littlejohn's column. Do these people live in the same world as the rest of us?
The clown that thought this up needs sacking never mind Lenny!

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phill babb says...
11:56am Mon 24 Aug 09

to the health and safety at valley parade.
on health grounds can you sack McCall hes damaging my health
on saftey grounds can we have no steps inside valley parade if someone stumbles people could be crushed
can we have the lights taken down there damaging spectators eyes
ohh yes no shouting you will disturb the neighbours
health and saftey gone mad

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PHILISAN says...
12:34pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Why make this issue SO contensious..If City had the brains they would avoid critisism by working with the 'Gentman' and enrolling a 'new look' match activity for him and the younger elliment.Why subject an honest benefactor with humility and well meaning intent,to this degravation...Sad ,very, very sad.

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Black Sheep says...
12:35pm Mon 24 Aug 09

What a joke! I sugest we all take bag fulls of sweets and throw them on to the pitch every gamne in protest until they bring back the city gent!!!!

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i wish i was as fast as joe says...
12:56pm Mon 24 Aug 09

This is just complete bull s**t what is goin on in his head when he thinks this will be good i have never seen anyone be hit in the eye because lenny cant evan chuck them hard.
He is the best think at city when we loose and he doesn't get paid like someone mentioned early in a post and what makes you think he would want to do somehting else this is what he is known for all across the country i have a mate who supports halifax town and he has never been to a city match but he thinks lenny is great off just seeing a masscott race a couple of years back.
COME ON CITY GET A GRIP

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tyker says...
1:37pm Mon 24 Aug 09

throwing sweets to the fans is dangerous is it? who says so?
how many kids have complained about being hit?
how many haveany had eye surgery following a hit by a sweet?

these sweets are tossed in to the crowd and why not?.

THE CLUB WILL NEXT BE TELLING US THAT THERE ARE PARTS OF THE GROUND IT IS DANGEROUS TO SIT IN AS WE MAY GET HIT BY ERRR------ A FOOTBALL.

COMMON CITY GET A LIFE AND RESTORE THIS PRE GAME ENTERTAINMENT. The club is wanting to get more kids into the ground so this really is the most stupid thing I have heard coming from the club and that includes the rants and raves of MR RICHMOND and his grand 25 year season ticket plan!!

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justinbrett1975 says...
1:50pm Mon 24 Aug 09

I can see throwing sweets in the crowd possibly causing injury, so why not throw soft sweets in the crowd?
As for chantting because he lifts his shirt, may I also suggest banning away clubs from bringing goal keepers of a bigger size... Better still why not just stop the away team coming with away fans and just give them 3 points.
I'm not sure whats going on this year with lack of radio comentry and now this, maybe the club don't care about supporters now.

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pudsey.bantam says...
2:26pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Who is this guy David Dowse ?? would he be prepared to entertain the kids at match day...buy them sweets...buy his strip...pay in...and also go on the bus to away matches.

Lenny does all this for his love of the club,these are sweets he is throwing,not golf balls,does City not realise that the kids love him and have a bit of banter with him.

Instead of bringing future fans in with these kids,you will be turning them away

Wake up City,this is an afternoon of entertainment for the family including the kids, once this entertainment stops so does the fans.I think I will have watched City longer than Mr Dowse ,and have never heard of a
nyone having to go to BRI because they have been concussed or injured with a sweet......before you come out with any more statements that annoy the fans who pay your salary......think again Mr Dowse !!!!!!!!

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pudsey.bantam says...
2:38pm Mon 24 Aug 09

As an afterthought, I forgot to mention about the match commentary's not being allowed fom Valley Parade.....are we thinking of the fans that are unable to travel or penny pinching and again not blending with the loyal fans

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PHILISAN says...
2:50pm Mon 24 Aug 09

..Odd isn't it as soon as we get a true City fan who moves from kop into board room,instead of building bridges the club now seem intent on dismantling them.Whatever happened to good old common sense..'Rules are made for the obedience of fools and merely act as guidance for wise men' isn't it''

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yangy8 says...
3:21pm Mon 24 Aug 09

what a joke, who is this dowse?
should make him stand on the pitch saturday and explain to lenny why he is ruining is saturday's and ours.
i've seen lenny for years and he always waves and says hello like a personal friend.
sad, very sad.

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Mercury_Lime says...
3:29pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Lenny has spent his own hard earned money because he loves this club, not for the celebrity status. He pays for everything with no support from the Club from sweets, tickets, tops etc
The Club has slapped him in his face and if Lenny never did it again I would not blame him one bit.....
This is down to YOU City!!!
Just wished someone in the Club would have the balls to stand up next home game and tell us why...... see what kind of response you get ...... Pack of jokers all of them

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Jorge says...
3:33pm Mon 24 Aug 09

As usual from these PC/H&S, types, they offer no explanation because common sense doesn't belong to their little power mad ideas. They hide behind laws and diktats to justify their rubbish& madness.

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lonniejockstrap says...
4:07pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Same old pathetic excuse 'Health and Safety reasons' RUBBISH!, CLAPTRAP! lets see your Risk Assessment Mr Dowse. 'Health and Safety' gets a bad name becuase of ridiculess 'jobsworth' type decisions like this. This will go down in 'Bonkers Conkers' list for the misrepresentation of the principles of Health and Safety. 'Health and Safety' is not meant to stop people from enjoying themselves! I would like to see the analysis of RISK of POTENTIAL harm from the 'HAZARDS' identified. This sounds like an insurance company is looking for ways to increase their premium to me. What next -don't clap or sing too loud incase we damage supporters hearing? I need to go for a run to calm down.

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philthyr says...
4:15pm Mon 24 Aug 09

I have taken my son and his mate to city games for the last seven seasons (since they were four). Even last year they still considered going to see Lenny at half time as one of the highlights of the afternoon, even of they didn't get any sweets out of it! What a stupid decision! If this is designed to improve behaviour in the stadium, has this numpty Dowse considered he could have an under 10 riot on his hands?

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Mercury_Lime says...
4:21pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Thats a great idea ..... I want City to post on there website a scanned copy of the risk assesment.... I want to see it with my own eyes...... But I bet it will never happen.....

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gspot says...
4:42pm Mon 24 Aug 09

the truth is that he isn't even a FAT BAS**RD anymore!!!!!
and i used to like sucking on a black magic at half time

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audal says...
5:00pm Mon 24 Aug 09

just when i thought city were getting back on track and supporting the younger generation into the club up comes the most stupid thought ever to come out of VP. err! 'scuse me but your lad cannot buy a programme because someones eye may get poked out and that pie could threaten a hand if placed without reading the instructions on where to eat it. Is it me going senile or even ga-ga.but thousands of kids went begging for spice off the toffee woman when city thrashed everton in the cup 59/60. the attd. i believe was 25,000 and the city board could have started their own sweetie shop after the freebies. so blooming well grow up BCFC. before you get laughed at all over the league(s) sec.word=food-ever

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tony e says...
5:50pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Perhaps the T&A could get an in depth interview with our illustrious Chairmen in an attempt toget a rational explanation from them regarding the latest pc diatribe to come out of VP,as pointed out by other contributors what is the role of Mr Dowse is it to upset the majority of the very people who pay his salary,if he is so concerned about H&S issues why does he not address the cleaning of the stadium where much greater issues of H&S abound. KEEP SMILING LENNIE

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Farsley XI says...
6:23pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Absolutely spot on lonniejockstrap, so many organisations hide behind H&S, the true reason will be Insurance and fear of litigation.
I have been a safety professional for many years and find poor judgment like this effects how people perceive risk, it also makes a complete joke of what safety is all about.
The velocity in which sweets are tossed into the crowd is hardly going to cause any injury. Aren’t modern day stadiums built with seats to prevent crowd surge, Lenny normally makes sure all the kids get sweets, thus not causing a surge.
When Mr Dowes talks about promotional goods his he talking about the small footballs? Well at least we get a mention on TV we must now be the laughing stock of the Yorkshire clubs.
If it’s true that Lenny does not get support from BCFC then that is disgraceful, he his one of the most famous mascots in the country, shame of you BCFC

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bingleybantam says...
8:08pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Bloody Disgrace City. Get a grip, I think you have more important things to worry about than Lenny and sweets. Have you stopped the team from scoring at home, incase it upsets away fans?

Good to see the "Supporters Trust" backing up the club again. I thought they were supposed to represent the views of fans and not just agree with everything ML & JR tell them. Oh well!

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lonniejockstrap says...
8:13pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Farsley XI wrote:
Absolutely spot on lonniejockstrap, so many organisations hide behind H&S, the true reason will be Insurance and fear of litigation. I have been a safety professional for many years and find poor judgment like this effects how people perceive risk, it also makes a complete joke of what safety is all about. The velocity in which sweets are tossed into the crowd is hardly going to cause any injury. Aren’t modern day stadiums built with seats to prevent crowd surge, Lenny normally makes sure all the kids get sweets, thus not causing a surge. When Mr Dowes talks about promotional goods his he talking about the small footballs? Well at least we get a mention on TV we must now be the laughing stock of the Yorkshire clubs. If it’s true that Lenny does not get support from BCFC then that is disgraceful, he his one of the most famous mascots in the country, shame of you BCFC
Hi Farsley X1, I don't know what your views are on the Club refusing access to the ground for under 3 year olds but surely the Club could allow parents with childen under this age access to their own 'child and toddlers' section. The ground is large enough and empty enough to cater for -rather than prohibit- this group. There seems to be a severe lack of ingenuity regarding some of the off-field challenges the Club has faced in recent weeks. It seems to be a case of 'we ban it because its easier than working out another way of achieving whats wanted/required'.
I have defended the Club against attacks from other posters on a number of occasions, but I want to see a little more enlightenment when dealing with supporters issues.

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bingleybantam says...
8:18pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Great idea from Claret & Banter site. On Saturday Show your Belly in Support of Lenny!!

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bdsixer says...
8:24pm Mon 24 Aug 09

So if Lenny lifts up his shirt that is deemed provocational ,so whats the difference between him doing that and the away team celebrating scoring a goal ??, the answer is BUGGER ALL .What was the job advertisement for this PC/H&S position WANTED KNOBHEAD DO-GOODER ,what a joke

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Farsley XI says...
9:39pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Lonniejockstrap in response to your post. All three of my girls have been to BCFC from about 18 months old, they are all City fans, cant understand why they have opted not to allow this age group in? Perhaps they are on the H&S bandwagon again and have to provide baby changing facilities. Just read what is required regarding the under two’s. “For their own safety, children under the age of two will not be admitted to the stands at the Coral Windows Stadium. All children will only be admitted to the stadium if they are in possession of an appropriate match or season ticket and can occupy their own seat next to a parent or carer. The club has no storage facilities on match days for buggies etc.” To be honest I have never seen any parent with a buggy in all the times I have visited City? If the problem is with buggies then why not take the sensible approach and publish guidance for parents, advising simply not to bring buggies? If the real reason is bums on seats then why not say so and charge accordingly (£12) which they charge for the under 11s. You would think City wanted families to come along, I thought there was a section of the ground for families which could accommodate all fans?

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lonniejockstrap says...
11:23pm Mon 24 Aug 09

Farsley XI wrote:
Lonniejockstrap in response to your post. All three of my girls have been to BCFC from about 18 months old, they are all City fans, cant understand why they have opted not to allow this age group in? Perhaps they are on the H&S bandwagon again and have to provide baby changing facilities. Just read what is required regarding the under two’s. “For their own safety, children under the age of two will not be admitted to the stands at the Coral Windows Stadium. All children will only be admitted to the stadium if they are in possession of an appropriate match or season ticket and can occupy their own seat next to a parent or carer. The club has no storage facilities on match days for buggies etc.” To be honest I have never seen any parent with a buggy in all the times I have visited City? If the problem is with buggies then why not take the sensible approach and publish guidance for parents, advising simply not to bring buggies? If the real reason is bums on seats then why not say so and charge accordingly (£12) which they charge for the under 11s. You would think City wanted families to come along, I thought there was a section of the ground for families which could accommodate all fans?
Thanks for your response Farsley. I looked on City's web page re: GROUND REGULATIONS and couldn't find any reference to the under 2s/3s?. I wonder why they think they need to provide storage facilities? people who go to the game in Wheelchairs sit in the front area of the Midland Rd stand. It wouldn't need a Rocket Scientist to come up with a similar solution for Buggies i'm sure. Or why not just provide a storage area and charge a small fee to cover costs? Ah well, I suppose the parents will just have to stay at home and listen to the game on Radio Leeds..........ups!

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nhenryv says...
8:18am Tue 25 Aug 09

Its time also to ban that round white thing that sometimes hits people in the face at the match. Might even improve the results...

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tyker says...
9:13am Tue 25 Aug 09

audal wrote:
just when i thought city were getting back on track and supporting the younger generation into the club up comes the most stupid thought ever to come out of VP. err! 'scuse me but your lad cannot buy a programme because someones eye may get poked out and that pie could threaten a hand if placed without reading the instructions on where to eat it. Is it me going senile or even ga-ga.but thousands of kids went begging for spice off the toffee woman when city thrashed everton in the cup 59/60. the attd. i believe was 25,000 and the city board could have started their own sweetie shop after the freebies. so blooming well grow up BCFC. before you get laughed at all over the league(s) sec.word=food-ever
spot on mate:I was at that game and remeber getting a few sweets.

Those were the days :25000 crowd and ghardly any seating:the place was rocking so much i thought the stands were going to fall over.

Come on city :get real with this and reverse the decision immediately.


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nhenryv says...
10:49am Tue 25 Aug 09

Other posters are right about this sort of thing giving health and safety a bad name - the concept of minimising the risk of injury is a good one when applied rationally to dangerous settings and workplaces. In a modern football ground? Leave it out!

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bcfc1986 says...
12:28pm Tue 25 Aug 09

What a absolute load of b****x how can throwing sweats into the crowd be a health and safety issue. I could understand if he was throwing GIANT GOBSTOPPERS but I don't believe he his. As far as getting his belly out, come on guys it's a bit of fun for gods sake.

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StaffsBantam says...
2:38pm Tue 25 Aug 09

This is ludicrous, but it's not just H&S, although that does have a bearing, but it's the litigious culture we live in nowadays. The insurance premiums of Clubs/businesses/sch
ools/councils are going through the roof due to the fear of (or actual) injury claims.
I saw a news article only this morning, reporting that some school is banning skipping in the playground, unless the children wear protective helmets!
I remember times when I could break my leg falling down an unprotected manhole cover, and rather than suing the council, my parents would ground me for not looking where I was going. I could get smacked around the ear by the local bobby if I did something wrong, and then get smacked around the legs by my parents for annoying the local bobby! Oh to be 36 again. lol

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lanzaman says...
4:06pm Tue 25 Aug 09

throw flumps instead

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cheelvis says...
4:37pm Tue 25 Aug 09

Stop selling pies , they might burn me.
Stop selling coffee, it may scold me.
Stop selling programmes , I might get a paper cut.
These people make me sick , no need for them they just come up with this sort of stuff to keep them selves in a job.
Utter utter boll***s .

Get up to Guisley, a clib tyhat appreciates your support.


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baccy2410 says...
5:02pm Tue 25 Aug 09

What a ridiculous Idea, what's wrong with Lenny showing his belly? Goal celebrations cause more crowd problems than Lenny would ever think of doing. As for throwing sweets, whats wrong with that? All the rubbish blowing around the ground would probably cause more eye injuries.
Come on City get rid of Dowse or your going to "lose bums on seats" (to quote another fool).

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MuirheadsAfro says...
9:21am Thu 27 Aug 09

This Dowse character has quite clearly been hit on the head by a MAHUSIVE flump because he's quite clearly mental...*ROLLS EYES*

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