I am not keen on the hypocritical blowhard, if that's what you mean.

"That was fun and to round off the day, I am off to steal a charity collection box and then desecrate a place of worship.” - Smokey, The Selhurst Arms, 26/02/02

This thread seems to have been hijacked.

Three things:

1) Firstly I hope the OP is on the mend, not sure if he took more of a beating from the West Ham fans or the people on this thread. Naive or not, wow, can't believe he got so much stick!

2) Secondly, I have a qualification in running fitness and if he wants the chant to change to "you're just Jamie Vardy" then I can help with a few tips for getting into running.

3) Thirdly, I can't offer any help to stop looking like Jamie Vardy. Sorry.

... by a mob of middle-aged hooligans that ought to know better.

Recreating in type, pretty much exactly what happened at East Croydon.... 5 onto 1 FFS

To respond directly to the OP I would say NEVER assume you are just bantering with anybody, but in particular WHUFC fans.

I got attacked in the away end of Upton Park/Boleyn in 1981 and I never even opened my mouth or was wearing colours. Me and my brother-in-law had to fend off about 10 of them.

Their fans in the main are gobsh1tes, but a good proportion think that giving someone a slap is their right.

Unless you are prepared to back yourself in a fight I would keep your mouth shut.

But where did "being prepared to back yourself" get you?

Smashed round the back of the head when you weren't looking.

No one helped me and my brother-in-law all those years ago.... not even the police helped.

Your last sentence is absolutely spot on.... rely on no one but yourself in future and I would reaffirm my earlier advice... keep your mouth shut unless you want to invite trouble.

EDIT: I note your profile says you are a family man and retail manager.

You'll be a lot more use to your family as a retail manager.... that attack on you Saturday could have left you unable to look after your family and all just to shout out a few chants and banter.

It really isn't worth the grief.

Edited by Hoof Hearted (17 Oct 2016 10.16am)

I know what your saying hoof. My missus has stated the same. But when your caught up in the moment (all us true fans have been there) it is hard to contain yourself and let the opposition taunt you without retaliating.

“This is a crisis, a large crisis.... in fact if you have a moment, it’s a 12 storey crisis, magnificent entrance hall, carpeting throughout, 24 hour portage , and an enormous sign on the roof saying “This , is a large crisis” - Edmund Blackadder