A choreographed diversion.
"The ships's sinking, feck the lifejackets let's all dress up as ballet dancers and have a giggle"

Shouldn't he be at school ?

We might as well have had a Ched Evans theme, or gone as nazi stormtroopers. I don't fully understand why blacking up is so offensive, but you can't do anything semi-questionable without trial by social media now. Hopefully the media will concentrate more on our remarkable escape from relegation that the potential for bad publicity for the club.

I also find it quite strange that the club appear to very close to the FDE leader and support him, but have as yet not given their backing to the Trust. Which I believe has already stated its willingness to work closely with the owners.

Some seriously misplaced loyalty and decision making from the lunatics running the asylum.

I think you will find its me who doesn't give two hoots about it there's worse things in life Tha people dressing as bob Marley. I'm more worried bout 3 points at Luton but we can get this to a ten page thread if we keep going.

I don't think bp1908 sounds hysterical

That's just the tourettes kicking in.

When 300 of carlisles top boys are chasing bob Marley down the street the last thing on their minds will be rasicism

Why would you feel the need to speak to kick it out?

Yes, I'm pretty sure he was being serious there.

I've just been on the blower Sol Campbell, he is fucking furious.

To be fair nowhere has it said to black up, that's an assumption being made on here. If the intention is to black up, whilst I'm certain it's all with good intentions, I can just imagine how it's going to be portrayed in the media, remember prince Harry doing his nazi salute at a fancy dress? No offence was intended, but it shifts papers.

The other thing is though that some on here will of been creaming their pants at the opportunity to condemn it as they for some reason are against it every year. Generally it's a group of mates having a laugh that has grown into something a bit more, normally gets a good bit of positive press and harms no one. This year if blacking up is the plan then I fear that it will be taken the wrong way in the media but some people really need to lighten up in general about the fancy dress idea.


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What a stupid decision, we live in an age where even insignificant actions can be blown out of all proportion online. Clearly this has the potential to be construed as racist even if the initial intentions are clearly innocent.

I don't see the problem myself if there's no 'blacking up'....but you just know a few will!!!!

I hope John has a word beforehand!!!!

I'll be at work anyway....I think!!!!

I'll be goin' to the game and was all for the idea of gettin' dressed up but this is such a bad (and racist) idea.

Don't read that page as it's generally full of kids and idiots. If that's the case then it's clearly gonna be perceived badly in the media. Shame as I like the end of season fancy dress it's a bit of good fun.


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I'm not really sure there are too many who are 'creaming themselves'. 99% of poolies love the fancy dress. Not this one however

It's Bob Marley Day

The problem is that groups who have genuine concerns on inequalities in society have been hijacked by subgroups who think it advantageous to take offense at any perceived slight to highlight their cause. For example rastamouse (a clear homage to Bob Marley) was seen as rascist, even this week we've seen Lewis Hamilton being labeled as a sexist bully for spraying champagne on the winners podium. I don't really want to see us being relegsated to the conference and labeled as a rascist club on the same day.

A dimwit decision of the highest order. Welcome to the 21st century.

If its just all Bob Marley and songs it'll be fine but if anyone gets the cherry blossom or bananas out it'll be all out war from the media. The message from the organisers has to be very strong.

This is an absolutely pathetic and atrocious idea. Our name will be dragged through the mud (no pun intended).

Imagine getting relegated there, I can just see the reaction from the wider football community. 'Goodbye, good riddance, horrible racist club etc'. Our reputation will never ever recover.

Absolutely fucking appalling especially as the club is endorsing it. It is piss poor.

You can't do stuff like that in this day and age and I can bet lots and lots will blacken up. It's embarrassing.

Can't this be reversed as I and seemingly many others really do think it is brain dead idea.

Just been on Carlisles forum, they doing fancy dress also, white sheets and hoods

I'm actually really angry about it. I want to tell people I'm a proud Pools fan but will I be able to do that when the shit inevitably hits the fan?

They taking a packet of Bob Marley donuts with them, the ones wi Jammin, wi jammin

I think its pretty clear it wasn't intended to be racist but some people on both sides will obviously make this a race issue. If there's no 'blacking up' then there is surely no issue at all. The idea of blacking up never occurred to me until someone else said it. Easy option is for John and Pools to ask people not to 'black up' and if they do try get in the ground like this then not allow them in until they have cleaned it of there faces.

Personally I'm not doing it because I think its naff, nothing to do with race issues

Scotland national team fans have been going to games for over 30 years wearing Ginger wigs and as someone who is Ginger I haven't been offended by it.

Should I have been though?

For the milliomth time. Npbody os sayomg its racist

But it could easily be interpreted that way by people from other ethnic backgrounds and the media certainly will.

So whats supposed to be a fun day of dressing up could go horribly wrong.
So why do it whenrhere are millions of fancy dress costumes they could wear

And the lack intelligence shown by pools is staggering.

Whether or not it is racist, you think it is racist or someone will get arsey about it....it's not the kind of attention the club needs at the moment (or any time) - look what happened with the Ched Evans debacle.

I was surprised that the Club official site mentioned it and to be honest I was disappointed that they are trying to get some kudos out of the end of season fancy dress - which has never been anything to do with the club - it's always been fan driven.

I would prefer to see them get behind the Supporter's Trust.

I don't mind the fancy dress on the last day, and many of my overseas friends ask me about it as it makes the news worldwide - but for once I don't look forward to the fallout on this one, there will be good and bad for sure. The Daily Mail will love this one I guess!

In the current predicament I'd rather it was a sea of blue and white stripes at Carlisle, but that's just my opinion on the dress code - each to their own.

Well if you weren't then err no.

I also can't find any histocircal record of slavery and oppression of gingers.

They'd have been fucked for a start working in fields in the American summer it could have been worse than what Hitler did to the Jews putting gingers on a sugar plantation in the deep South. Can you even begin to imagine the Sunburn?

The idea is too controversial in my opinion. No one can knock the intention but there are so many negative connotations that can be drawn from it. Something like Superman, Elvis, Mr Blobby, Tellytubbies would have been a better choice if the fancy dress had to be done in my opinion. Anyway it's a free country and people can do what they want but I won't be joining in. I tend to agree with Snowy. This isn't a mid table piss up and piss about it's fucking important - not convinced that any sort of fancy dress is appropriate under the circumstances...

Ultimately I'll be sick as fuck if we go down and won't feel like having a laugh for a few days.

Well PJ, as someone who has had stick and abuse for being Ginger for as long as I can remember, your reply to my post does not surprise me one bit.

Oh yeah, you were only joking right?

Oh, you've logged off

When you are standing on your soapbox please try and be consistent with your views.

HUMPA LUMPAS
SMURFS
PENGUINS
THUNDERBIRDS
BOB MARLEY WIGS

All five are the same FANCY DRESS.

To suggest fancy dress can be classed as racist is just an overreaction.

All the previous Fancy Dress has been in full regalia and distinguishable. Bob Marley is only known by his dreadlocks not his regalia. To make it more realistic people will have to change the colour of their skin wether it's blackening up or fake tan. The organiser needs to have a rethink, we currently have a number of black players and I feel Pools fans will be seen as racists. Let's change the theme please !

Oh my God!!!

Hilarious. Where do you even start with that, raucous laughter I think!!!!

As for the reply below can anyone point towards a single post on the entire thread were anyone us suggesting this choice of fancy dress is either offensive or racist? Nobody has said that the concern is how others perceive it when in no doubt it a few painfully stupid fuckers do 'black up'

The red hair gene can directly be linked back to the most ancient lineages of the British isles and Ireland and is still most prevalent in those parts of the country the Romans didn't occupy. One of these being Scotland, hence the ginger wigs are a statement of pride in their Celtic roots, not an offensive slur to gingers.

All the characters are fictionsl except Bob Marley, that way you play it safe, no one was ever accused of being Smurfist by 'blueing up'.
This is a minefield that can be easily exploited by a minority, yet so easily avoided.

Going to an away game in fancy dress when your team can get relegated out of the league, totally inappropriate. End of

But if you want a day out on the drink, in fancy dress, and you need the safe feeling of being in a large group to show what a character you are .. Then do it.. But go somewhere else... But that won't make social media will it?

You only need to read the thread prior to the announcement of the theme to know that that's untrue.


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You mean penguins are not real, how do I break it to the kids in 2 weeks when we go to Chester zoo that the things in the penguin pool are not real, there will be tears I say, tears!

It's pretty clear the idea behind it is to all be dressed as Bob Marley singing "don't worry about a thing", simple enough to work out when you think about it but the only worry is how it's perceived elsewhere. Absolutely zero doubt that there is 100% no harm meant by it and no racist intent whatsoever. The issue probably isn't with our fans, or even Carlisle fans it's with how it's perceived elsewhere and how quickly the outrage bus builds momentum. Judging by the discussion on here already thought it seems likely that it will get bad press.


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The same people saying it might be offensive are probobly some of the people who shout dogs abuse at opposition players swear in front of kids at matches. I do it sometimes in the heat of the moment at pools sometimes. Singling out ginger people; short arses that's funny though isn't it at pools? That's acceptable? Dress up as bob Marley and the world will end. Personally I don't think hardly anyone will see it as racist apart from a few short sighted people. I think they will think theres them bloody idiots from Hartlepool dressing up again trying to be black men when there not if people are offended by that then tough its supposed to be a free society. I know this doesn't mean much but not one person on the Carlisle board perceives this in any way to be a race thing and I don't think people anywhere will lose sleep over fancy dress at a match. Anyway up the pools 3 points today.

I haven't read this whole thread so don't know if this has been asked or not but...should behaviour take into consideration the potential perceptions of others when those perceptions couldn't be further from the truth?

Is it not for the those with the perceptions to seek clarification and then accept the answer given?

The whole racist thing for me is just a non-starter.

How many times? Nobody believes or has said the people behind this have set out with any intention to cause offence or racial slur.

As you suggest, its all about perceptions.... what exactly do you think the wider audiences perceptions of the town and club will be when they see (aside from the lads who really give the costume and dressing up a good go as they do every year ) a few pissed up chavs with their faces blacked up, carrying inflatable bananas etc etc.....? Do you really think those that judge, will be seeking clarification of our intentions, I thought not.

The potential for it to go painfully wrong is huge and the organizers and club need to put something out there advising against 'blacking up'

Don't know what you mean by your first sentence Mr Fisherman as I haven't accused the people arranging this of having any racist intentions.

Regarding the second part of your post, I think you misunderstand what I am getting at. I am not saying it's all about perceptions, I am asking if those WITH perceptions that the actions of the dressed up Poolies could be considered racist should be pandered to? (given that getting dressed up like Bob Marley is in no way racist)

The comment about bananas is bizarre. THAT is a completely different matter and in no way part of this discussion.

I don't agree with your last sentence. Bob Marley was black. If people are dressing up like Bob Marley, they should also be black. Nothing wrong with that at all.

people on fb are already going on about such ideas, thats why I mentioned it.

Some people are a bit naive to believe that the press wont have a field day with a load of blacked up Bob Marleys turning up at Carlisle.

If you genuinely dont think this is offensive I suggest you give your costume a trial outing in Brixton, if you survive its probably ok for the FDE day out.

Brixton isn't this the place that has gangs going round stabbing each other?

Is Bob Marley from Brixton