Monday
10Nov2008
ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE DEAD?
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 09:07PM 
I am told that on Saturday in Scotland, Celtic Football Club held a minutes applause (yes, a minutes applause)for our war dead. On BBC Reporting Scotland (local newscast) at 17:35 on Saturday evening the newsreader stated a similar minutes applause had also been held at the other football grounds in Scotland. This was untrue since every other ground had a minutes silence. So, do you think a round of applause is an appropriate way to remember the war dead? It strikes me a very modern, but also very wrong. Silence is the best way to remember the fallen, to reflect in the quietness.
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Reader Comments (4)
David -
We had an impeccably observed silence at the Arsenal on Saturday before the match vs man Utd. Over 60,000 football fans and not a peep heard. A period of silence is the the only appropriate way to remember the war dead.
However it would never work at Celtic. Hundreds, possibly thousands wouldn't be capable of keeping their mouths shut. Instead of the absurdity of a round of applause as if they're at a game show, it would be better for Celtic to just ignore the date.
Pete,
Yes, I understand the silences were really well observed, but for some reason the BBC muted this one. Wonder why?
Celtic justified their decision by saying that a round of applause is now "the Celtic way" when showing respect for the dead. I look forward to them clapping and cheering when the their favourite member of the nazi youth pops his clogs.
Funny that their current chairman, and ex UK defence secretary John Reid chose not to stand and applaud at the Cenotaph yesterday.
Celtic have no more of an "Irish identity" than Hibernian FC. Hibs chose to hold a minutes silence, and their captain also carried a poppy wreath onto their pitch. Their supporters respected the occasion with total silence.
Celtic FC = Scotlands shame.
Perhaps the footballers mistook the words War Dead for Awarded.