Support of Adam Chapman

[Greig]

Jesus, some unbelievable comments get made about Chapman. Lone gunman is bang on.
If it was your loved one who was killed because someone was messing about on their phone, a death that could have been avoided, you would not get over it and you would not accept them coming out after a year. In fact you would never get over it. Furthermore, if people were idolizing the driver and in some areas expecting him not to serve a prison term just because he didn't mean it and he is a footballer then it would really add insult to injury.

Love in the elevator, I agree prison must be hard for people that don't make a conscious choice to be a criminal, but we have to have deterrents.
The dangerous driving laws in this country are pretty lenient if you study them closely.
Fair enough to remember Chapman and all the good things he has done for the club. But please support him in the same way the club and his family and close friends are: Discreetly and respectively.

Some one died. I can't believe the comment "maybe if he had been playing we would have won" - as if we have been hard done by. If Chapman had not been texting and surfing the net while driving someone would not have been killed. This is not being holier than thou. Loads of us have driven badly at times and got away with it, I feel for Chapman and understand he needs support from his friends, but the feelings of the victim's family must come first. Chapman will get his life back, his victim won't. Keep sending him letters etc, but keep it private.

It's not easy for anyone, but people have to be careful and thoughtful about how they support Chapman through his jail term. Public displays are not the way to go, it won't do the club any good.

[mcxal]

Personally...yeah, don't agree with the decision to make any kind of hand signals, gestures, or chants in support of Adam Chapman.

As a fan of Oxford United, and someone who is sympathetic to Adam's plight, I got behind him 100% at the tail end of last season...and when he's out and back in an Oxford shirt I'll support him, chant his name and applaud him again then

But at the moment he is incarcerated for a crime which has led to the loss of another's life. A crime he has pleaded guilty to. He deserves our respect for facing up to this and accepting his punishment like a man. He deserves our support when he gets out as he looks to rebuild his career. But right now, he should be serving his time. I find chanting his name, making handcuff gestures or whatever else insulting to the family of the deceased.

I want him back in an Oxford shirt as much as anyone (the idea of him and Heslop in the same midfield is pretty enticing)...but another person has lost their life as a consequence of his actions.

Of course, if people want to do it, that's their prerogative. Personally though, I find it a little distasteful.

[edgecam]

Mcxal, as a individuals opinion I full accept your position as you rightly said it is your decision to join in or not. I want to make sure this is clear, making hand signals that may have been interpreted as handcuffs is not something I would condone. However considering the location and history of his on field performances I was very comfortable in singing Adams name today. The part of any thread I object to including this one is when people tell me what or when I can do something as a matter of fact as tho they have the higher moral position.

[benox]

I think you have to balance how much pleasure you and Adam Chapman would get from you singing his name against how it may be interpreted by the people effected by what he did. I personally think on this occasion its probably best just to let the matter rest and get on with supporting Oxford United until he pulls on the yellow shirt again.

[rsrp2]

The matter should be laid to rest. Adam is completing his punishment now. If he is able to make a comeback AFTER his punishment, then we back him at that time.

[wingwongox]

I said to a couple of the lads that they were out of order for doing it and they stopped. When you looked at who was doing it, it was obvious it was just a load of immature kids.

When he serves his time and pulls that yellow shirt on then he'll get my 100% backing.

If people want to send private messages / letters to him then fair enough, but public displays of support are wrong and it makes those doing it look like dimlows.

[mcxal]

Aug 8, 2010 0:21:56 GMT edgecam said:

Mcxal, as a individuals opinion I full accept your position as you rightly said it is your decision to join in or not. I want to make sure this is clear, making hand signals that may have been interpreted as handcuffs is not something I would condone. However considering the location and history of his on field performances I was very comfortable in singing Adams name today. The part of any thread I object to including this one is when people tell me what or when I can do something as a matter of fact as tho they have the higher moral position.

I absolutely concur with you, if you want to chant in support of him - like I said, it's your prerogative. And as others have pointed out, he is going through a very tough time right now and I'm sure the support would really put a smile on his face.

I want him back on the pitch as much as anyone, and once he has served his punishment, I'll chant his name, cheer him on and support him as much as anyone as he tries to rebuild his career. However, as I said, until that time comes that he has served said punishment, I don't feel comfortable chanting his name.

Certainly not telling anyone what they can or can't do

[outside the box]

Didn't see the hand gestures but I thought the chanting of his name was based on his free kick that fcuked up Burton's party.

Just shows how wrong I got it - as usual!

[jimmyp]

Stood next to Bampton Beech Boy yesterday, directly behind the lads that were doing the handcuffs.

They were about 16-18 and throughout the game sung Chappers name and made the signals at least 3 times, in the end I said something to one of them as I thought they were out of order, they did sing one song about the free kick but then just sang his name. I do think its good that the club/supporters have continued to support Chappers but he has admitted his guilt and now must serve his time.

A bit crass of the lads to start the signals and think their energies would have been better served supporting the 11 on the pitch