The Mail Bag
The Sound of Silence
Comments (39)
Despite world-wide complaints, vuvuzelas will continue to mar this viewer's World Cup. Surely it is not beyond the wit or wisdom of TV people for them to allow match commentary without it being drowned out by incessant ear-shattering horn blowing?
Does a ToffeeWebber with medical/audio expertise hold a view about potential health hazards of these blasted things?
Dick Fearon, Posted 14/06/2010 at 23:04:45
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Lyndon Lloyd
2 Posted 15/06/2010 at 06:37:41
2 Posted 15/06/2010 at 06:37:41
Here's an answer, Dick: Fans warned about hearing loss from vuvuzelas.
I trust that we Evertonians will rise above this and keep Goodison vuvuzela free like every other musical fad...
I trust that we Evertonians will rise above this and keep Goodison vuvuzela free like every other musical fad...
Ricardo Humphries
3 Posted 15/06/2010 at 06:33:54
3 Posted 15/06/2010 at 06:33:54
Guys, please stop the crap.
I've had to put up with this noise for years during local games... best way is just to accept that this is what SA football is all about.
I work at the Cape Town stadium and let me tell you guys, you have to experience this in person!
Yes, the whole world wants the vuvuzela banned, but I've come across more foreigners with vuvuzelas in Cape Town than locals!
If a player can perform in these surroundings, he can perform in any stadium... even in the Camp Nou.
I've had to put up with this noise for years during local games... best way is just to accept that this is what SA football is all about.
I work at the Cape Town stadium and let me tell you guys, you have to experience this in person!
Yes, the whole world wants the vuvuzela banned, but I've come across more foreigners with vuvuzelas in Cape Town than locals!
If a player can perform in these surroundings, he can perform in any stadium... even in the Camp Nou.
Guy Hastings
4 Posted 15/06/2010 at 07:44:32
4 Posted 15/06/2010 at 07:44:32
Placing a dustbin with a rotted pig's head in it in the living room soon attracts enough flies to distract you from the vuvus. Works for me every time. And it's still better than that song they play across the park...
Paul Baxter
5 Posted 15/06/2010 at 08:48:03
5 Posted 15/06/2010 at 08:48:03
I find the constant drone of people moaning about them worse than the actual things themselves.
Relax! Hit the MUTE button: You may miss the pearls of wisdom* tumbling from the likes of Lawro's mouth but that's a small price to pay, I think.
(*torrent of shite)
Relax! Hit the MUTE button: You may miss the pearls of wisdom* tumbling from the likes of Lawro's mouth but that's a small price to pay, I think.
(*torrent of shite)
Nick Parker
6 Posted 15/06/2010 at 09:24:37
6 Posted 15/06/2010 at 09:24:37
This is an African World Cup so get used to it. If you go to a Chiefs or Pirates game it is no different.
Gary Tudor
7 Posted 15/06/2010 at 09:58:26
7 Posted 15/06/2010 at 09:58:26
It adds to the atmosphere and will be part of the African World Cup experience!
Just imagine the other music items that will now crop up at future World Cups!!!!
Just imagine the other music items that will now crop up at future World Cups!!!!
Phil Bellis
8 Posted 15/06/2010 at 09:57:29
8 Posted 15/06/2010 at 09:57:29
I'm not a violent man (Basil, under desk, sotto voce: "oh yes you are") ... but the first person to `use a vuvuzela' or `blow their lepatata' (still sound rather 3rd Form-ish rude) near me in the Lower Gwladys will very soon after be the centre of attention in the `invasive removal' section at the A & E, Walton Hospital.
Anthony O'Sullivan
9 Posted 15/06/2010 at 10:14:23
9 Posted 15/06/2010 at 10:14:23
Not as bad as that twat at Pompey with the bell.
Dave Wilson
10 Posted 15/06/2010 at 10:13:46
10 Posted 15/06/2010 at 10:13:46
Think yourself lucky Dick, over here we have to listen to the likes of Jim Beglin and Mick McCarthy labour endlessly over already obvious points. After listening to them, the Vuvuzelas sound like fucken ClarInets.
Turn the sound down, if the Aussie commentators are as informed as these jokers, you`ll know more than them anyway.
Turn the sound down, if the Aussie commentators are as informed as these jokers, you`ll know more than them anyway.
John Daley
11 Posted 15/06/2010 at 10:35:35
11 Posted 15/06/2010 at 10:35:35
At least the incessant droning sound will drown out those annoying, mindless motherfuckers who call themselves the 'official England supporters brass band', blasting out yet another tinny refrain of the Great Escape.
Dave Roberts
12 Posted 15/06/2010 at 11:17:45
12 Posted 15/06/2010 at 11:17:45
Just a little tip to avoid most of the Vuvuzela crap... at least for the games on BBC.
Don't use Satellite or cable.
Use freeview (DVB)
Press red button
Choose audio
Choose any of the options (incuding 5 Live radio if you wish) but even alternative TV commentary will do.
Vuvezelas fade into the background!
The only problem is the commentary is much clearer which might not necessarily be a benefit in most cases!
I discovered this yesterday while grinding my teeth during the Holland/Denmark game.
Don't use Satellite or cable.
Use freeview (DVB)
Press red button
Choose audio
Choose any of the options (incuding 5 Live radio if you wish) but even alternative TV commentary will do.
Vuvezelas fade into the background!
The only problem is the commentary is much clearer which might not necessarily be a benefit in most cases!
I discovered this yesterday while grinding my teeth during the Holland/Denmark game.
Dave Roberts
13 Posted 15/06/2010 at 11:25:30
13 Posted 15/06/2010 at 11:25:30
On the subject of vuvuzelas, how can anybody watch a football match while incessantly blowing the bloody thing?
As somebody who took trumpet lessons when at school (my first choice of violin was turned down on the basis that my dad wouldn't buy me one... the trumpet came on loan), it is bloody tiring getting a noise out of them and it is all-consuming.
The cameras went onto a Danish supporter yesterday, standing up blowing one with gusto, pointing it up in the air and with his eyes in the same direction, surrounded by compatriots without one. If their looks could have killed......!!!!
As somebody who took trumpet lessons when at school (my first choice of violin was turned down on the basis that my dad wouldn't buy me one... the trumpet came on loan), it is bloody tiring getting a noise out of them and it is all-consuming.
The cameras went onto a Danish supporter yesterday, standing up blowing one with gusto, pointing it up in the air and with his eyes in the same direction, surrounded by compatriots without one. If their looks could have killed......!!!!
Chris Butler
14 Posted 15/06/2010 at 12:27:58
14 Posted 15/06/2010 at 12:27:58
Not an issue really unless you're there. Yes, they're loud but it's part of SA fans' culture and in their country they have the right to blow the things. I don't see the point personally as it drowns out the chants.
But I think it's ridiculous certain people's attitudes to certain attributes of fan culture. For example, at Wembley for the FA Cup Final a guy has a big flag. He waves it around about 10 minutes before kick off and this guy kept on grabbing hold off it preventing him from waving it.
It's the same ridiculous thing about drums which are quite common at football matches abroad. Preston's drummer recently got banned from the ground due to complaints. It doesn't affect the coverage of the match and there's nothing to listen to. Just put it on mute.
John Beesley
15 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:26:57
15 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:26:57
Gary, How does it 'add to the atmosphere'? The sound is constant and listening to it gives no indication of the ebb and flow of the game. Every game sounds the same no matter how bad or (hopefully) good the game actually is.
Ciarán McGlone
16 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:35:37
16 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:35:37
How exactly is it not an issue unless you're there? It's an issue if you can hear it, and it annoys you.
It is a pain in the arse — and it makes watching the matches quite painful for me.
Also, the suggestion that they create atmosphere is pure bollocks — what's atmospheric about a constant drone!?!
It is a pain in the arse — and it makes watching the matches quite painful for me.
Also, the suggestion that they create atmosphere is pure bollocks — what's atmospheric about a constant drone!?!
Lee Kidd
17 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:50:33
17 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:50:33
I think it's in South Africa's best interests to ban them, because quite frankly it's difficult to imagine the World Cup going back to Africa in the near future after the vuvuzelas and the fact it's been a dismal World Cup thus far, aided and abetted by the stupid noise.
A serious contender for worst World Cup ever. Also, no matter what people say about "it's how South Africans do things", if the World Cup was held in England do we allow football hooligans to beat the crap out of visiting fans because "that's how England do things"? No, so why should foreign fans in these stadium suffer hearing damage (which they must do!) "just because"?
A serious contender for worst World Cup ever. Also, no matter what people say about "it's how South Africans do things", if the World Cup was held in England do we allow football hooligans to beat the crap out of visiting fans because "that's how England do things"? No, so why should foreign fans in these stadium suffer hearing damage (which they must do!) "just because"?
Phil Bellis
18 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:51:36
18 Posted 15/06/2010 at 13:51:36
Spot on, Ciarán, that's exactly my question about that awful funereal dirge sung by kopites (no, not the Athenry Road thingy — a close second — t'other one about walking in the storm).
Martin Mason
19 Posted 15/06/2010 at 14:43:02
19 Posted 15/06/2010 at 14:43:02
It's not that it's not OK or unique for Africa but that peanut brains everywhere will have them next season. I stopped watching bike racing because of air horns and I'll stop watching soccer if these things happen.
Gareth Humphreys
20 Posted 15/06/2010 at 15:15:49
20 Posted 15/06/2010 at 15:15:49
I love the noise and think that there are some right miserable bastards knocking about.
Dave Wilson
21 Posted 15/06/2010 at 15:17:30
21 Posted 15/06/2010 at 15:17:30
Dont worry Martin
Phil (9) has a solution to that one
Phil (9) has a solution to that one
Brendan O'Doherty
22 Posted 15/06/2010 at 16:01:59
22 Posted 15/06/2010 at 16:01:59
Phil - the 'Athenry road thingy' is pure sacrilege on their part. I believe its called 'the Fields of Anfield Road' or such like. The only part of 'The Fields of Athenry ' that they've kept is the melody - they've changed the words completely I think. I keep having to remind myself that it's a different song completely from the one which is and will remain the anthem for Irish sporting teams.
I wish they would drop it and stick with their usual dirge about getting wet.
I wish they would drop it and stick with their usual dirge about getting wet.
Matt Traynor
23 Posted 15/06/2010 at 16:36:50
23 Posted 15/06/2010 at 16:36:50
http://www.antivuvuzelafilter.com/
Kevy Quinn
24 Posted 15/06/2010 at 17:49:05
24 Posted 15/06/2010 at 17:49:05
Anything that drowns out Lawro/ Mick McCarthy etc. I am all for, just keep them out of the Old Lady.
Thor Sørensen
25 Posted 15/06/2010 at 19:23:58
25 Posted 15/06/2010 at 19:23:58
On entertaining dinner guests, if I want to, I could drop my pants in the middle of the meal and take a leak all over the dinner table. After all, it's my home, I can do pretty much whatever I want to, and I could even explain to my guests that "that's the way we do things in this house". It'd make me a shit host, though!
I totally agree with Lee Kidd, it would be in South Africa's best interests to ban them. A serious contender for worst World Cup ever!
I totally agree with Lee Kidd, it would be in South Africa's best interests to ban them. A serious contender for worst World Cup ever!
Des Farren
26 Posted 15/06/2010 at 19:39:31
26 Posted 15/06/2010 at 19:39:31
Brendan (22)) "the anthem for Irish sporting teams"? God between us and all harm...
The fields of Athenry is a Munster/Connacht dirge made popular by a second rate singer, Paddy Reilly. Irish, Leinster, Ulster supporters would have nothing in common with it. Sorry but...
Eugene Ruane
27 Posted 15/06/2010 at 20:23:44
27 Posted 15/06/2010 at 20:23:44
My concern is not now but August, as there is always a chance of supporters adopting 'new' daft World Cup stuff.
Those old enough to remember the '78 World cup will remember the huge ticker-tape shows that happened whenever the Argentina team appeared or scored. It was impressive.
It was MUCH less impressive however, at Goodison (and every other first division ground) at the start of the following season, but many simply could not resist.
Handfuls of little bits of paper (that minutes earlier had been one sheet, wrapped around a fish from the Supper Bar) fluttered about in the Street End as the blues made their entrance.
(Some couldn't be arsed tearing paper into so many little strips so often it would just be a programme ripped in half and lobbed up — not quite the same effect).
Personally, I think there's a good chance that on the first day of next season, there could be fellers on street corners shouting...
"Hat, cap, scarf AND yer Everton fezooly" (and many a young blue unable to resist).
I hope I've never been more wrong.
Just imagine, the last few bars of Z-Cars dies out and...
'BWWWBBBEEEEEWWWUUEEEWWBBBEE"
Those old enough to remember the '78 World cup will remember the huge ticker-tape shows that happened whenever the Argentina team appeared or scored. It was impressive.
It was MUCH less impressive however, at Goodison (and every other first division ground) at the start of the following season, but many simply could not resist.
Handfuls of little bits of paper (that minutes earlier had been one sheet, wrapped around a fish from the Supper Bar) fluttered about in the Street End as the blues made their entrance.
(Some couldn't be arsed tearing paper into so many little strips so often it would just be a programme ripped in half and lobbed up — not quite the same effect).
Personally, I think there's a good chance that on the first day of next season, there could be fellers on street corners shouting...
"Hat, cap, scarf AND yer Everton fezooly" (and many a young blue unable to resist).
I hope I've never been more wrong.
Just imagine, the last few bars of Z-Cars dies out and...
'BWWWBBBEEEEEWWWUUEEEWWBBBEE"
Brendan O'Doherty
28 Posted 15/06/2010 at 20:59:36
28 Posted 15/06/2010 at 20:59:36
Des – That must have some other song then that I've been hearing at Lansdowne / Croker / Paris / numerous other places over the last, let's see, 20-odd years?
Or maybe I'm tone deaf.
Or maybe I'm tone deaf.
Des Farren
29 Posted 15/06/2010 at 21:19:54
29 Posted 15/06/2010 at 21:19:54
Brendan; Munster supporters also cheer for Ireland, sometimes. It is their singing, their "anthem". I think it fair to say that supporters of Leinster/Ulster would simply not relate to it.
Brendan O'Doherty
30 Posted 15/06/2010 at 21:30:57
30 Posted 15/06/2010 at 21:30:57
Well of course Ulster supporters don't relate to it Des, for obvious reasons. But I'm afraid if you think that it's only Munster supporters singing it at Ireland football matches, you are deluding yourself, since most of the supporters at such home games are from the greater Dublin area.
Your argument might be correct as far as rugby is concerned – I only see that on TV. But I attend football matches, and it doesn't stand up with regard to football (soccer) supporters.
Des Farren
31 Posted 15/06/2010 at 21:59:47
31 Posted 15/06/2010 at 21:59:47
Think we've strayed a little from subject matter. We could carry it on but suffice to say I think a vuvusuela (or whatever) would be a welcome distraction from the Fields of Athenry.
Having attended both football/rugby matches for donkey's years, I cannot recall it ever being sung until Munster's emergence as a rugby force in recent years.
Brendan O'Doherty
32 Posted 15/06/2010 at 22:40:12
32 Posted 15/06/2010 at 22:40:12
Short memories. Euro '96 play-off v Holland at Anfield in November 1995 — most of the crowd were singing it. Is that long enough ago for you?
Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup. Hang on, they must all have been Munster fans out there!
You sound like a bitter Leinster fan, but I wouldn't know about that as rugby is not my subject. And to say you'd prefer one of those horns instead...
Ciarán McGlone
33 Posted 15/06/2010 at 22:57:01
33 Posted 15/06/2010 at 22:57:01
This Ulsterman has certainly sang it at various venues: Croke, Lansdowne... er.. .even the Amsterdam Arena.
I would have thought 'the Fields' was a little too common for the middle class "Ireland's call" brigade, whatever province they hail from.
I would have thought 'the Fields' was a little too common for the middle class "Ireland's call" brigade, whatever province they hail from.
Gavin Ramejkis
34 Posted 16/06/2010 at 10:13:35
34 Posted 16/06/2010 at 10:13:35
Got to agree with Phil Bellis (8), having paid a large wedge to renew in the Park End, if some bell end starts off with one of those they be farting like a wasp for months.
Eugene Ruane
35 Posted 16/06/2010 at 13:03:43
35 Posted 16/06/2010 at 13:03:43
That should of course be
'BBBBBWWWBBBEEEEEWWWUUEEEWWBBBEE"
'BBBBBWWWBBBEEEEEWWWUUEEEWWBBBEE"
Des Farren
36 Posted 16/06/2010 at 20:20:42
36 Posted 16/06/2010 at 20:20:42
Brendan — Can you not argue your case without accusing your opposition of bitterness?
Let me recap: "the anthem for Irish sporting teams" was your original quote. I disagreed. Now, apparently, it is a football/soccer anthem as rugby is apparently not your subject.
Let me recap: "the anthem for Irish sporting teams" was your original quote. I disagreed. Now, apparently, it is a football/soccer anthem as rugby is apparently not your subject.
20 odd years? — now it's 2002? I agree my memory is not perfect which is why I confirmed with other sources. I suggest you do likewise.
As for being bitter, well I thought you would be above such tripe.
Brendan O'Doherty
37 Posted 16/06/2010 at 22:07:53
37 Posted 16/06/2010 at 22:07:53
Des - I only suggested you might be 'a bitter Leinster fan' because I can't for the life of me find any other logical reason for your dislike of the above mentioned song. You have stated your preference for the horns that are annoying so many people (myself excluded) over it.
On your 2nd point, I was only giving you the benefit of doubt concerning rugby, as you obviously are more of a fan of that sport than I am. I was merely stating that I know for a fact that it isn't just Munster fans who sing it at football matches. I am not from Munster and I have sung it, neither is Ciarán and he has sung it. And many, many, more people have as well. Why can you not accept this? It is irrefutable fact. Not opinion, fact. You shouldn't let it bother you so much.
Thirdly I mentioned the Euro '96 play-off in November 1995 as an example, which was 15 years ago if my maths is correct. You conveniently choose to ignore this. I don't need to check with other sources because I have been there myself at many games where this song has been sung.
Then there's always how often it is sung at Celtic Park to consider... hats off to Paddy Reilly.
On your 2nd point, I was only giving you the benefit of doubt concerning rugby, as you obviously are more of a fan of that sport than I am. I was merely stating that I know for a fact that it isn't just Munster fans who sing it at football matches. I am not from Munster and I have sung it, neither is Ciarán and he has sung it. And many, many, more people have as well. Why can you not accept this? It is irrefutable fact. Not opinion, fact. You shouldn't let it bother you so much.
Thirdly I mentioned the Euro '96 play-off in November 1995 as an example, which was 15 years ago if my maths is correct. You conveniently choose to ignore this. I don't need to check with other sources because I have been there myself at many games where this song has been sung.
Then there's always how often it is sung at Celtic Park to consider... hats off to Paddy Reilly.
Brendan O'Doherty
38 Posted 17/06/2010 at 02:41:37
38 Posted 17/06/2010 at 02:41:37
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fields_of_Athenry
Paragraph 4:
"Sporting anthem"
"The song was adopted by Republic of Ireland national football team supporters during the 1990 World Cup and subsequently by Celtic supporters in the early 1990s. The song is also associated with the Munster, London Irish and Ireland rugby union teams."
Think that says it all.
Paragraph 4:
"Sporting anthem"
"The song was adopted by Republic of Ireland national football team supporters during the 1990 World Cup and subsequently by Celtic supporters in the early 1990s. The song is also associated with the Munster, London Irish and Ireland rugby union teams."
Think that says it all.
Des Farren
39 Posted 17/06/2010 at 23:06:08
39 Posted 17/06/2010 at 23:06:08
Brendan; I must admit you lost me when you cited "logic" in describing my dislike of the song as "bitterness".
But, feel free, carry on...
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to the MailBag, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 15/06/2010 at 06:08:33
My measure of how far along MLS is won't be by the quality of play, but by the absence of these people-annoyers.
Those of you suffering them thru the WC, trust me telling you; American soccer fans have suffered it for years. Hopefully the complaints at WC 2010 will bring a halt to this terrible noise at MLS.