Most liked posts in thread: 56 "The Brand" (with Poll)

FFS, why can't they give it a rest?
I was there, I witnessed the horror. I don't need some spotty oik who wasn't born then walking around, glorifying the tragedy to prove what an uber fan they are.
It sucks. I don't know anyone who was old enough to have been there who thinks this is acceptable.

 

Totally agree. It seems to be the younger element that weren't even born in 1985.

I cannot imagine any fan that suffered a loss or were even there that awful day would buy into this 'brand'. The first time I saw one of those hoodies I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

Let's remember the City and Lincoln fans who perished that day in the way we did for years with dignified respect at the annual memorial service and the last home game

 

I cringe horribly when I see people in those claret ‘56’ hoodies in the pubs before a home game.

I don’t doubt that the sentiment is correct but my god they need to be discarded ASAP.

 

There is an element of attention seeking that doesn't sit well, I mean how many other disasters do we have where people walk around in commemorative hoodies and t shirts? I know it seems the modern day thing to market every bloody thing but the one thing we've had with the fire commmerations is that it is low key and respectful. Two big numbers covering the whole back of a t shirt seems to be completely the opposite to this.

 

Ive seen comments that say it helps us remember them. How exactly does a t shirt with 56 on the back do that? Don't they realise the people who do remember every year don't need an item of clothing to bring back memories of that fateful day. And if you really want to raise awareness of disaster for some obscure reason do it with something more tactful like a sponsored event because this 56 branding is distasteful however wel meaning it may be.

 

We have always prided ourselves on the fact that we did our grieving quietly, in private and without any ostentation. The crass merchandise that has been promoted in recent times is the antithesis of this and I personally find it deplorable.

 

I think the difference between hoodie and so on compared with the black on the shirts a the ribbons is that comes across as wallowing in it as some sort of badge of honour instead of a small personal memorial.
In essence showing off, about something that causes immense upset and grief to those who were there. It is crass and insensitive.
It is good that it is in a charitable cause, which is why I guess Peter Jackson has agreed to participate, but I note the club itself is not, which I think a good decision.

 

I'm very uncomfortable with all this.

Unfortunately, 56 died and I feel uncomfortable that some feel they want to make some fashion statement out of it.

 

It will be the new '56' summer fashion range. All for charity so all good apparently. Personally i find them distasteful and would rather give the money directly to charity such as MND or the burns unit.

 

I've always struggled with this. My own experience of the fire was that I wasn't there, being too young to attend. But I had school friends caught up in it and my neighbours were burnt, but all survived thankfully.

I think the younger element of our support want the tragedy to be remembered and acknowledged. Hence some of these artifacts making their way onto the market. However they don't realise that it really upsets those who lost loved ones that day.

I'll be honest and say I didn't really understand until I was stood next to an old chap on the last day of the season (2008 ish) and tears were streaming down his cheeks. I think the consensus should be dignified respect and remembrance of that day.

 

The hoodies are awful, I always manage to see a few before a game home or away and it makes me cringe and feel uneasy. Plus the people wearing them don't look the brightest. As above commemorate at the memorial, but don't brand it.

 

Disaster fashion ... Jesus ... I know it seems crass to say I was there but I'd rather try and remember the tragedy in my own way (never a day goes by ...). It's bollocks to think you can wear something that elevates you to someone 'who cares' and is 'deeply moved' to hope people look at you and think - oooh , he/she is a proper City fan i.e better than you. Someone who was there WOULDN'T TOUCH THIS SHIT WITH A BARGE POLE.

 

whenever i see anyone in these hoodies my first thought is what an attention seeking prick, i, like many others on here were at the game and for years the fans and club remembered the supporters who lost there lives with quiet reflection, never ever dreaming we would see a huge number 56 on the back of tee shirts and hoodies, what next a 56 beech towel so you can take your tacky tribute on holiday with you so you can show all of europe that you care more than anybody else.

 

The ribbon on the shirts is the right sort of remembrance.
I wouldn’t be opposed to a pin badge with funds going to the burns unit.
I’d never wear 56 merch or have it on a water bottle-seems very poor taste

 

Hate it. Without a doubt it started with the Wembley flag and has just snowballed from there. Its utterly distasteful.

 

I think a lot of is symbolic of the chance in society how if you aren't shouting it from the rooftops then you don't care and by making these gestures it somehow means you care more when really it means very little. Similar to how poppy appeal has been hijacked and used as a fashion accessory and if you don't wear one it means you don't care.

 

In 2014 my kids bought me a City shirt with the option of a number on the back. I ummed & aahed about whether to have 56 (the year of my birth) or 58 (my age at the time). The connotations of 56 never even crossed my mind, because I simply don't think of the fire in those terms. Only in hindsight did I realise the connection.
I'm so glad that I went for 58, otherwise that would have been a shirt I never wore. I couldn't be seen in public with a bloody great 56 on my back.