Khan targets City's appeal to Asians (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

I feel a little miffed about the comment in the editorial, to quote "They have opened the gates for everybody, whatever their background, and we want the Asian community to feel part of that."

Can you tell me when the gates have been closed to anyone other than football thugs? Please could someone, especially the editor comment on the validation of this statement?

And I guess this post will mysteriously disappear shortly
10:30am 08-01-2009

Who actually conducted this interview with Omar? Was it Simon Parker, Derm Tanner (Radio Leeds), or someone from the Official Website? Whoever it was, has showed very poor journalism. Had Khan said to me that "They have opened the gates for everybody, whatever their background, and we want the Asian community to feel part of that", I would have challenged him to prove when we have actually 'closed the door on these people'.

It is the Asian communities themselves that closed the door on our football club and Khan's job is to found out why and get those doors opened. Comments like this do not help.

Waynus wrote:
Who actually conducted this interview with Omar? Was it Simon Parker, Derm Tanner (Radio Leeds), or someone from the Official Website? Whoever it was, has showed very poor journalism. Had Khan said to me that "They have opened the gates for everybody, whatever their background, and we want the Asian community to feel part of that", I would have challenged him to prove when we have actually 'closed the door on these people'.

It is the Asian communities themselves that closed the door on our football club and Khan's job is to found out why and get those doors opened. Comments like this do not help.

As most of the Asian amateur players and supporters i know are Seikh, a representative from that faith might well have proved more productive.

just in case anyone has failed to notice V.P. is in the midst of a very large asian community and if they wanted to come along a watch then there is nothing to stop them, surely young adults do not need telling what sport, if any, to participate in. it seems they prefer cricket,baseball etc.of course the fact that they may not even want our recreational company is more likely the answer.

Audal..... You want knighting.... well said....

I couldn't agree more with Omar Khan. Its about time the youth in bradford from these communities had some good role models.

All they currently have to look up to is bad driving, and general law-lessness.

I suppose the gates have always been open at VP, but going there might be slightly uncomfortable for them.

freespeech wrote:
I feel a little miffed about the comment in the editorial, to quote "They have opened the gates for everybody, whatever their background, and we want the Asian community to feel part of that." Can you tell me when the gates have been closed to anyone other than football thugs? Please could someone, especially the editor comment on the validation of this statement? And I guess this post will mysteriously disappear shortly 10:30am 08-01-2009

i agree we have had similar shemes and soundbites to no avail. Most of the Asian supprters i know who are interested in football or city are mainly Sikh's. One reason for this is that they tend to mix more in pubs etc and have a longer history linked with Britain. There are racicts at city and there are also racists amongst the Asian community who prob don't come to games for this reason i.e. many still see watching football as a white working class pursuit. Also there is little in the way of traditional history in some of the culture as opposed to cricket.

However the door as NEVER been closed to anyone as the poster rightly suggests and is actually an insult to the vast majority of Bradford fans and football supporters in general.

I know longer buy the T n A and apparently a journo friend who works for them says sales are down to 30.000 and falling. With ill thought out comments like this, the race fear factors, and the quite frankly awful new design i'm sure it will continue.

dannbradfc wrote:

freespeech wrote: I feel a little miffed about the comment in the editorial, to quote "They have opened the gates for everybody, whatever their background, and we want the Asian community to feel part of that." Can you tell me when the gates have been closed to anyone other than football thugs? Please could someone, especially the editor comment on the validation of this statement? And I guess this post will mysteriously disappear shortly 10:30am 08-01-2009

i agree we have had similar shemes and soundbites to no avail. Most of the Asian supprters i know who are interested in football or city are mainly Sikh's. One reason for this is that they tend to mix more in pubs etc and have a longer history linked with Britain. There are racicts at city and there are also racists amongst the Asian community who prob don't come to games for this reason i.e. many still see watching football as a white working class pursuit. Also there is little in the way of traditional history in some of the culture as opposed to cricket. However the door as NEVER been closed to anyone as the poster rightly suggests and is actually an insult to the vast majority of Bradford fans and football supporters in general. I know longer buy the T n A and apparently a journo friend who works for them says sales are down to 30.000 and falling. With ill thought out comments like this, the race fear factors, and the quite frankly awful new design i'm sure it will continue.

off at a tangent i know - but i stopped buying the T&A when they completely bottled it over the riots.

Bradford City have NEVER closed their doors on ANYONE. I hope Asians don't get special discounts when my 15 year old son has to pay adult prices this year out of his own money! The whole of Bradford know where Bradford City's ground is and if they wanted to go they would! Gone are the days where it could be an unfriendly place. Racism works both ways you know and in this article it proves it!

Has the Editor got any comments?

There's more to this than meets the eye!

I personally can't imagine O.K. to be hanging about in street corners or driving his Subaru Impreza, chilling out with the Bros and doing wheel spins

Omar's role is more likely to encourage Asian businessmen to get involved with sponsorship.

There's likes of Mumtaz, Akbar's, Dilbag, Empire Electrical's, Kahn alloys who could all play a major role in sponsoring.

Rumors had it that Kahn alloys was interested in buying Newcastle Utd, Why not City at fraction of the cost with great backing from the Asian community.

I can remember an advertising at city that caused a bit of a stir back the 90's. It read, Aurangzeb Solicitors - Karma Sutra- "If you get in to an awkward position, We'll get you out".

We have one Omar doing business on the pitch, why not get another one to do off it.

Good move Mr Lawn but wee bit cynical.

Get a life wrote:
There's more to this than meets the eye! I personally can't imagine O.K. to be hanging about in street corners or driving his Subaru Impreza, chilling out with the Bros and doing wheel spins Omar's role is more likely to encourage Asian businessmen to get involved with sponsorship. There's likes of Mumtaz, Akbar's, Dilbag, Empire Electrical's, Kahn alloys who could all play a major role in sponsoring. Rumors had it that Kahn alloys was interested in buying Newcastle Utd, Why not City at fraction of the cost with great backing from the Asian community. I can remember an advertising at city that caused a bit of a stir back the 90's. It read, Aurangzeb Solicitors - Karma Sutra- "If you get in to an awkward position, We'll get you out". We have one Omar doing business on the pitch, why not get another one to do off it. Good move Mr Lawn but wee bit cynical.

A very good comment but you just had to spoil it with your summing up. "Omar doing business on the pitch"? When was the last time he did that or was you referring to his one well times tackle last weekend?

In relation to Kahn Alloys, I referred to Afzal Kahn on a different thread, but thought his business was called Project Khan (or Khan Design). He was indeed thought to be interested in BUYING Newcastle United, but surely Omar/Mark could persuade him to part with less money on a sponsorship basis.

Can't see Mumtaz coming on board. If we are getting a restauranteur on the pay-roll, I can't see us signing up competition for sponsorship. Wouldn't that be like getting Safstyle to sponsor our shirts with Coral sponsoring the stadium?

I did post a comment earlier but i seem to have been taken off?? not sure why
Is this a different story to the one yesterday that had 45 plus comments??
anyway i say it again
Main reason is there is no asian players hence no asian supports I have a son who I want to play for CITY in the future
Problems turning supporters away could be( and this refers to all backgrounds)
Offensive language - this could be an issue - the common place stuff you hear is the refererees a w**** or the urrrrrrrrr you fat b***** or indeed mass voical comments ona bad ref decision can be taken by some as offensive - though this has correct me if Im wrong been clamped down- racial abuse ?? again this is stamped down on- fans getting warnings ejections etc.
I watch city and take my daughter too shes 12
We have to be carefull as we need an integration of fans that what supporting a team is you all unite in your passion for the team. when pakistan play england who do I support England at cricket most of my asian friends go mad over this but its my choice.
the best thing in the ground would be all fans singing CITY TILL I DIE now that would be something to listen to.
I would say to Mr khan dont do something that will make supports from the asian background appear in cotton wool - there is an issue over food - choice would have to be increased I think on the menu and perhaps Mr khan can sub some of his startes to BCFC!!

Tanny wrote:
I did post a comment earlier but i seem to have been taken off?? not sure why Is this a different story to the one yesterday that had 45 plus comments?? anyway i say it again Main reason is there is no asian players hence no asian supports I have a son who I want to play for CITY in the future Problems turning supporters away could be( and this refers to all backgrounds) Offensive language - this could be an issue - the common place stuff you hear is the refererees a w**** or the urrrrrrrrr you fat b***** or indeed mass voical comments ona bad ref decision can be taken by some as offensive - though this has correct me if Im wrong been clamped down- racial abuse ?? again this is stamped down on- fans getting warnings ejections etc. I watch city and take my daughter too shes 12 We have to be carefull as we need an integration of fans that what supporting a team is you all unite in your passion for the team. when pakistan play england who do I support England at cricket most of my asian friends go mad over this but its my choice. the best thing in the ground would be all fans singing CITY TILL I DIE now that would be something to listen to. I would say to Mr khan dont do something that will make supports from the asian background appear in cotton wool - there is an issue over food - choice would have to be increased I think on the menu and perhaps Mr khan can sub some of his startes to BCFC!!

No, this isn't the same story. You need to refer to the story titled 'City recruit Asian ambassador'. Your comment is still showing on there;

"Tanny, bradford says...
3:39pm Thu 8 Jan 09
Hi as a bradfordian and yorkshireman that I am, I follow City whenever I can - I have also returned to steward activities at BCFC and can say its been a pleasure to be back.

I have also noticed a few asian faces in the stands and also have taken my daughter to see city- My son who is 2 at the moment will also be coming to watch.

I do hope we can get more supporters in from all backgrounds but there is nothing wrong with a targetted approach.

Couple of pointers if i may
1. there must be intgration- not segregation i.e no seperate asian stand.
2. Language/abuse - as City has a family stand those who are going to be offended need to sit in the family stand but be warned that
- The F- word does seem to automatically come out of any Fans mouth or other such words the referee is a W????? or the urrrrrrrrrrrrrr you fat Bas?????? aHHHHHHHH you cannot stop these so people should not be offended on hearing this. Please correct me here if im wrong
3. Food/drink some form of asian food stuffs to be made avilable - Im sure Mr Khan can sub some of his starters to BCFC for sale during half time??
4. My son who I want to enjoy playing football, could be the next McCall or Windass- BCFC should have a scheme in place to capture hidden asian talent.


Lets get away from any bias here as im sure al lwe want to achive is to have more people in supporting city - and there is no stronger voice then all of us singing CITY TILL I DIE!!

Thank you"

And I will say it once again Tanny, a very well thought out post and a joy to read! With comments like yours, could you not be the City Ambassador?

Thanks Waynus

What's this talk about 'Asians' are we talking Chinese and Japanese? That's what I understand to be Asian - if Not can we please call them what they are and that is Pakistanis and or Afghans, Iranians or Iraquis - it really is that simple, using the term Asian is too kind a word. Asians, as I understand them such as Chinese and Japanese, have similar morals to us English.