Portrait of Pompey fan on show in Southampton (From Daily Echo)
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City art gallery shows painting of John Westwood
7:25am Thursday 1st October 2009 in News By Echo Reporter
Portrait of Pompey fan on show in Southampton
A portrait of one of Portsmouth’s most famous football fans has gone on display – in Southampton.
The painting of John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood is on display at Southampton City Gallery.
It was painted by artist Karl Rudziak and was accepted in February for the BP Portrait Awards exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Now the exhibition has started a national tour with its first port of call Pompey’s main rivals, Southampton.
Mr Westwood said: "When I heard the first stop on the tour was Southampton it did make me smile a bit.
"I thought to myself my friends down the road won't like that too much.
"But at the end of the day, it's not about football it's about art.
"A lot of people were happy when they heard I was going to be hung but when they found out it was a portrait of me they were disappointed!"
It runs until November 31.
Westwood is famous as one of Pompey’s most well known fans.
He has 60 Portsmouth tattoos on his body, the club crest shaved onto his head and 'PFC' engraved on his teeth.
The two metre high portrait is one of 53 in the exhibiton and took eight months for 45-year-old Rudziak to complete.
Comments(72)
Brite Spark
says...
7:44am Thu 1 Oct 09
"Erm .... Portsmiff" he replied.
And also, he has got a badge on his shirt which says "FRATTON PARK", when he looked at himself in a mirror by the blokes clothing section the badge read "NOTTARF KRAP".
Totton Ric
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7:51am Thu 1 Oct 09
Nothing to say
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7:54am Thu 1 Oct 09
Brite Spark
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8:06am Thu 1 Oct 09
Southampton Heart
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8:45am Thu 1 Oct 09
Where's the horse & cart?.
aliscan66
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9:10am Thu 1 Oct 09
Linesman
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9:21am Thu 1 Oct 09
derek james wrote:No! He was not prosecuted so could not be convicted.
wasn't he convicted of urinating over seats at st, marys? sadly it's all too typical of the quality of "art" at this museum, last time i was there they had dressed up supermarket trolleys.
SomersetSaint
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9:27am Thu 1 Oct 09
Linesman
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9:40am Thu 1 Oct 09
Andy Locks Heath
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9:43am Thu 1 Oct 09
saintpeter48
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9:43am Thu 1 Oct 09
Brite Spark
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9:54am Thu 1 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson
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9:58am Thu 1 Oct 09
peachy1
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10:07am Thu 1 Oct 09
Brite Spark wrote:Thats brilliant you ade me laugh which makes a change with all the rubbish written on here
He is such a buffoon that even the Portsmouth fans don't like him. He's not very sharp either, I saw him dressed like that in Tesco's in Cosham and asked him which team he supported. "Erm .... Portsmiff" he replied. And also, he has got a badge on his shirt which says "FRATTON PARK", when he looked at himself in a mirror by the blokes clothing section the badge read "NOTTARF KRAP".
I wonder if we should sell him all our buckets so they can start doing collections outside the ground for the next home game to help pay the wages
or we could lend our services on how to raise moeny for the survival of the club
Southampton Heart
says...
10:15am Thu 1 Oct 09
PS The hanging comment was so funny from Bright Spark.
The Grey Mystery
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10:21am Thu 1 Oct 09
Rudd Gillett
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10:36am Thu 1 Oct 09
HorndeanSaint
says...
10:52am Thu 1 Oct 09
Just a question on a different subject, why are there so many cars in the Portsmouth area with number plates with the letters PFC?
I would have thought that they would not want to advertise that they follow Pointless Football Club
Bartonian
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11:22am Thu 1 Oct 09
freemantlegirl2
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11:26am Thu 1 Oct 09
I'm amazed he could keep still that long tbh, I mean whenever you see him on TV he's cavorting about waggling his soooo unattractive beer belly for cameras (and by the sound of it busy urinating on seats? hope the artist checked their chair afterwards).....
S!mon
says...
11:37am Thu 1 Oct 09
Brite Spark wrote:lol nice post.
He is such a buffoon that even the Portsmouth fans don't like him. He's not very sharp either, I saw him dressed like that in Tesco's in Cosham and asked him which team he supported. "Erm .... Portsmiff" he replied. And also, he has got a badge on his shirt which says "FRATTON PARK", when he looked at himself in a mirror by the blokes clothing section the badge read "NOTTARF KRAP".
But you spoilt it by saying you had to ask him what team he supported even tho he's dressed top to toe in portsmuff colours????
Fansince1969
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11:37am Thu 1 Oct 09
Bartonian
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11:50am Thu 1 Oct 09
Keith Oftergrass
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12:23pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Brite Spark
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12:24pm Thu 1 Oct 09
S!mon wrote:I was trying to ascertain how thick he was, I confirmed that he was really dense when HE had to think about which team he supported!
Brite Spark wrote:lol nice post.
He is such a buffoon that even the Portsmouth fans don't like him. He's not very sharp either, I saw him dressed like that in Tesco's in Cosham and asked him which team he supported. "Erm .... Portsmiff" he replied. And also, he has got a badge on his shirt which says "FRATTON PARK", when he looked at himself in a mirror by the blokes clothing section the badge read "NOTTARF KRAP".
But you spoilt it by saying you had to ask him what team he supported even tho he's dressed top to toe in portsmuff colours????
Red & White Never Blue
says...
12:29pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Southampton Heart
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12:42pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Keith Oftergrass wrote:If I was an Art critic...I'd ask....where are the flies and beer stains?. This is not a crititism honest......but I still like the portrait though.
Good likeness....you can almost smell him can't you ?
TheJoiners
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12:45pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Brite Spark
says...
12:48pm Thu 1 Oct 09
I said it was nice to see a Portsmouth fan hanging in Southampton, and it was deleted! Aaaaaaw come on moderator lighten up!!
Southampton Heart
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12:56pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Brite Spark wrote:Yes, the picture is "hanging in Southampton".....por
Southampton Heart said ... PS The hanging comment was so funny from Bright Spark. I said it was nice to see a Portsmouth fan hanging in Southampton, and it was deleted! Aaaaaaw come on moderator lighten up!!
traits do hang don't they.
Was it painted when Milan left?...or after another defeat?.
jono1974
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1:14pm Thu 1 Oct 09
echoidiot
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1:17pm Thu 1 Oct 09
sw word nice call lol.
Saintlygirl
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1:49pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Totton Ric wrote:I couldn't have worded it better myself. Is the Gallery trying to wind us up? This could cause major trouble now that it's been advertised. What on earth has this idiot done to gain status in a prestigeous gallery? I shake my head in disgust. It would be much more appropraite to have a portrait of the fantastic Le Tiss.
GET HIS UGLY SKATE MUG OUT OFF OUT GALLERY !
Southampton Heart
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2:02pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue
says...
2:08pm Thu 1 Oct 09
It's obvious that it would cause offence to all real Saints fans and scare the living daylights out of any children that may see it. Get it out of our city now!!
Wordsfailme
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2:09pm Thu 1 Oct 09
SaintJimmer
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2:10pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Art is defined asand I quote:-
"The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance."
This picture is no way aesthetic, beautiful or appealing and therefore is not art.
It should be destroyed. How on earth anyone could spend 8 months of their lives producing such rubbish and then to hang it in Southampton art gallery is totally beyond normal comprehension.
Red & White Never Blue
says...
2:16pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Wordsfailme wrote:He is and lives with mummy and daddy above their book shop.
What an absolute disgrace for a human being! Some people will go to the end of the earth and back for their 15 minutes of fame, but this idiot is beyond comprehension. What sort of mentality must this chap have to do that to his body. Bet he's single!!
He's got a bedroom like a 4 year old with everything to do with POOPEY you can imagine. Retarded springs to mind
Red & White Never Blue
says...
2:31pm Thu 1 Oct 09
YES OR NO ?
YES FOR ME
SaintJimmer
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2:38pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue wrote:And it's a resounding YES from me too.
GET IT OUT OF OUR CITY NOW !!! YES OR NO ? YES FOR ME
By the way my words of 2.10pm above asand should have read.
"Art is defined as and I quote:-"
Sorry.
Jimmer.
mick anderson
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2:42pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Lone Ranger
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2:49pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue wrote:Well done R&Wnb you have at least learnt one thing today..lol= "laugh out loud" in case you were unsure
It's an advertising ploy by the artist to get it recognised by getting loads of media coverage just like the echo are doing. I think the editor is a WUM (do you like the use of wum LR!!) and should resign for allowing it to be printed and made to live in sh*t City with the freak for the rest of his life. It's obvious that it would cause offence to all real Saints fans and scare the living daylights out of any children that may see it. Get it out of our city now!!
Bartonian
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2:55pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue
says...
2:57pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Lone Ranger wrote:I thought you'd appreciate that LR
Red & White Never Blue wrote: It's an advertising ploy by the artist to get it recognised by getting loads of media coverage just like the echo are doing. I think the editor is a WUM (do you like the use of wum LR!!) and should resign for allowing it to be printed and made to live in sh*t City with the freak for the rest of his life. It's obvious that it would cause offence to all real Saints fans and scare the living daylights out of any children that may see it. Get it out of our city now!!Well done R&Wnb you have at least learnt one thing today..lol= "laugh out loud" in case you were unsure
ROTFLMAO!!
clausentum
says...
3:16pm Thu 1 Oct 09
99% of the comments appear to be made by territorial sniggering 13 year olds with behind-the-toilets-h
umour, and the level of sophistication of a one-legged gnat.
It is Art.
Linesman
says...
3:16pm Thu 1 Oct 09
So far there have been no nominations.
Is there a suitable Saints fan?
Plondon
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4:29pm Thu 1 Oct 09
ing suprises me anymore!
Humbug
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5:16pm Thu 1 Oct 09
All great paintings have a name, The Haywain, Last supper etc. Maybe the Echo could run a competition to find a suitable name for this one.
I'll start with a few suggestions:
The CAMPonologist
Village idiot a study in blue
Mutant Ninja Smurf
Linesman
says...
6:07pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Linesman wrote:It seems as if nobody can come up with the name of a Southampton fan to have his/her portrait painted and hung in Portsmouth's gallery.
I asked earlier, as there will be the portrait of a Portsmouth fan hanging in the Southampton gallery, which Southampton fan should have their portrait painted and hung in Portsmouth's gallery? So far there have been no nominations. Is there a suitable Saints fan?
Can nobody think of a Saints fan?
Are there none worthy of being remembered on canvas?
Would Nick Illingsworth look good in oils?
Denzil
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6:12pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Propercynic
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6:55pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Apart from anything else, that's a hideous picture. I hope no-one takes any small children into the gallery while that revolting portrait is on display - they'll have nightmares for months and probably be mentally scarred for life.
Southampton Heart
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7:55pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Humbug wrote:"Pratt in a Hat"? ? ?....
No oil painting is he! All great paintings have a name, The Haywain, Last supper etc. Maybe the Echo could run a competition to find a suitable name for this one. I'll start with a few suggestions: The CAMPonologist Village idiot a study in blue Mutant Ninja Smurf
(Ps No offence to John but is he a "Cat in a Hat" fan?.)
Harleysaint
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8:38pm Thu 1 Oct 09
!!!!! Ive seen better art on a toilet wall!!!
Lippylou
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8:51pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Harleysaint wrote:Harleysaint... It's a painting. Seen that done better? I doubt it.
Having studied the portrait briefly,albeit on my laptop where possibly I am not able to get the full benefit it occurs to me that: Clearly the photographer(artist) by his exquisite use of light and shade is attempting to comunicate to the viewer several deep and cerebral messages.Take for example the hat. What is this saying to us?.... May I make so bold as to suggest: oooooooooh, look at me and how tall I am? Or maybe it is simply hiding a "Dodgy hair do"? We as the viewer almost feel compelled to study the image before us! The subtle use of colour I.E. Blue and white has In my opinion been put to good effect. When all said and done, my fellow art students, I believe the message is quite clear! WHAT A LOAD OF KING B...o.ks!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! Ive seen better art on a toilet wall!!!
Harleysaint
says...
9:23pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Lippylou wrote:As a builder Ive painted many things!
Harleysaint wrote: Having studied the portrait briefly,albeit on my laptop where possibly I am not able to get the full benefit it occurs to me that: Clearly the photographer(artist) by his exquisite use of light and shade is attempting to comunicate to the viewer several deep and cerebral messages.Take for example the hat. What is this saying to us?.... May I make so bold as to suggest: oooooooooh, look at me and how tall I am? Or maybe it is simply hiding a "Dodgy hair do"? We as the viewer almost feel compelled to study the image before us! The subtle use of colour I.E. Blue and white has In my opinion been put to good effect. When all said and done, my fellow art students, I believe the message is quite clear! WHAT A LOAD OF KING B...o.ks!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! Ive seen better art on a toilet wall!!!Harleysaint... It's a painting. Seen that done better? I doubt it.
If I can find a spare can of magnolia(usualy got some left over)Im down the gallery with a tray and roller to obliterate the obsenity!!!!!The point is why is it hung in Southampton if not to get a reaction?Its asking for trouble..... It might be a nice painting but its like painting all the walls in Maghera orange! or all the walls in Ballykelly green and white! How do you justify the wind up? Most of football has managed over the years to downgrade interclub rivalry and hatred and in my opinion all this is doing is stirring it up again!Whats the point?
Condor Man
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10:48pm Thu 1 Oct 09
IanRRR
says...
12:25am Fri 2 Oct 09
Captain Swing
says...
12:35am Fri 2 Oct 09
clausentum wrote:And it hasn't improved since your post clausentum.
It is Art. 99% of the comments appear to be made by territorial sniggering 13 year olds with behind-the-toilets-h umour, and the level of sophistication of a one-legged gnat. It is Art.
If anyone picked up on this site to get some impression of Southampton, in particular this thread, they'd decide pretty quickly that it isn't safe to walk the streets.
Still, most of those posting above would probably think that a plus.
So, not a good place for a World Cup venue really.
Pity!
dibsy1984
says...
2:10am Fri 2 Oct 09
After all everyone knows that their clown of an owner has NO money!
clausentum
says...
6:40am Fri 2 Oct 09
Captain Swing wrote:The collective wisdom/wit/IQ of these knuckle-dragging, so-called football supporters indicates why Britain has such a lousy reputation abroad as a Country of football hooligans. To think many of them have fathered children or might date your daughter . . . scary.
clausentum wrote:And it hasn't improved since your post clausentum.
It is Art. 99% of the comments appear to be made by territorial sniggering 13 year olds with behind-the-toilets-h umour, and the level of sophistication of a one-legged gnat. It is Art.
If anyone picked up on this site to get some impression of Southampton, in particular this thread, they'd decide pretty quickly that it isn't safe to walk the streets.
Still, most of those posting above would probably think that a plus.
So, not a good place for a World Cup venue really.
Pity!
Captain Swing
says...
9:26am Fri 2 Oct 09
Not too happy with the nutters that turn up for derby games claiming allegiance to either side but, frankly, it's the weirdos like you, who appear convinced that hating Portsmouth is an essential part of being a Mush that scare me more than anyone.
Still, judging from your posts, whatever your age, I’d be surprised if your mummy let you go to football matches, so I don't have a problem with you.
Captain Swing
says...
9:26am Fri 2 Oct 09
Not too happy with the nutters that turn up for derby games claiming allegiance to either side but, frankly, it's the weirdos like you, who appear convinced that hating Portsmouth is an essential part of being a Mush that scare me more than anyone.
Still, judging from your posts, whatever your age, I’d be surprised if your mummy let you go to football matches, so I don't have a problem with you.
Bitterne Park Tim
says...
9:45am Fri 2 Oct 09
The guy makes you proud to have nothing to do with Skatemouth...
I actually like the painting, as someone sad earlier, he makes a great clown.
Mr BCB
says...
9:53am Fri 2 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue
says...
10:33am Fri 2 Oct 09
Captain Swing wrote:You are a sad person aren't you Captain Swinger.You haven't got a problem with that lot down the road but you have with saints supporters.
Actually, "red, white and makes you spew", I have supported Saints since the early 1960s, and have never had a problem with Pompey, or its fans. Not too happy with the nutters that turn up for derby games claiming allegiance to either side but, frankly, it's the weirdos like you, who appear convinced that hating Portsmouth is an essential part of being a Mush that scare me more than anyone. Still, judging from your posts, whatever your age, I’d be surprised if your mummy let you go to football matches, so I don't have a problem with you.
Was it you or your boyfriend Claus mental um who reported my post? Truth hurt does it? Carry on judging you jumped up tw*t. You seem a bit insecure to me. Were you bullied at school?
Red & White Never Blue
says...
10:46am Fri 2 Oct 09
clausentum
says...
1:42pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue wrote:You can count. Now that really is surprising. Your childish, kiddiwinkie responses simply reinforce your juvenile, moronic, myopic, mishmashed mind. What a pathetic, embarrassing excuse for a football supporter. Hand yourself a red card and a lifetime ban for your public rants and sneers and smirks and for bringing the game into disrepute.
Oh and by the way sending your post once is quite sufficient or did you get a bit excited that someone is actually communicating with you ! ha ha ha
Captain Swing
says...
6:05pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue wrote:"Red, White and a screw loose", I don't have a problem with supporters of any club, erspecially not Saints fans - unsurprisingly most of my mates support Saints as well.
Captain Swing wrote: Actually, "red, white and makes you spew", I have supported Saints since the early 1960s, and have never had a problem with Pompey, or its fans. Not too happy with the nutters that turn up for derby games claiming allegiance to either side but, frankly, it's the weirdos like you, who appear convinced that hating Portsmouth is an essential part of being a Mush that scare me more than anyone. Still, judging from your posts, whatever your age, I’d be surprised if your mummy let you go to football matches, so I don't have a problem with you.You are a sad person aren't you Captain Swinger.You haven't got a problem with that lot down the road but you have with saints supporters. Was it you or your boyfriend Claus mental um who reported my post? Truth hurt does it? Carry on judging you jumped up tw*t. You seem a bit insecure to me. Were you bullied at school?
All footy fans are my friends - you aren't a footbal fan, or a Saints fan, you are a wierdo.
I don't like sitting next to wierdos on the bus, on a train, in a pub or at St Mary's: who does?
You are evidently someone or something that needs help.
But as I say, as it's doubtful your mummy lets you go to football games, you really aren't a worry.
Captain Swing
says...
6:05pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Red & White Never Blue wrote:"Red, White and a screw loose", I don't have a problem with supporters of any club, erspecially not Saints fans - unsurprisingly most of my mates support Saints as well.
Captain Swing wrote: Actually, "red, white and makes you spew", I have supported Saints since the early 1960s, and have never had a problem with Pompey, or its fans. Not too happy with the nutters that turn up for derby games claiming allegiance to either side but, frankly, it's the weirdos like you, who appear convinced that hating Portsmouth is an essential part of being a Mush that scare me more than anyone. Still, judging from your posts, whatever your age, I’d be surprised if your mummy let you go to football matches, so I don't have a problem with you.You are a sad person aren't you Captain Swinger.You haven't got a problem with that lot down the road but you have with saints supporters. Was it you or your boyfriend Claus mental um who reported my post? Truth hurt does it? Carry on judging you jumped up tw*t. You seem a bit insecure to me. Were you bullied at school?
All footy fans are my friends - you aren't a footbal fan, or a Saints fan, you are a wierdo.
I don't like sitting next to wierdos on the bus, on a train, in a pub or at St Mary's: who does?
You are evidently someone or something that needs help.
But as I say, as it's doubtful your mummy lets you go to football games, you really aren't a worry.
Red & White Never Blue
says...
8:50am Sat 3 Oct 09
jono1974
says...
12:27pm Sun 4 Oct 09
clausentum wrote:What a penis you are, you really need to have a word with yourself a serious one, do you read the guardian? thought so. so if you are not a knuckle dragger are you a knuckle shuffler?.
Captain Swing wrote:The collective wisdom/wit/IQ of these knuckle-dragging, so-called football supporters indicates why Britain has such a lousy reputation abroad as a Country of football hooligans. To think many of them have fathered children or might date your daughter . . . scary.
clausentum wrote:And it hasn't improved since your post clausentum.
It is Art. 99% of the comments appear to be made by territorial sniggering 13 year olds with behind-the-toilets-h umour, and the level of sophistication of a one-legged gnat. It is Art.
If anyone picked up on this site to get some impression of Southampton, in particular this thread, they'd decide pretty quickly that it isn't safe to walk the streets.
Still, most of those posting above would probably think that a plus.
So, not a good place for a World Cup venue really.
Pity!
derek james says...
7:39am Thu 1 Oct 09