Dickie Bird Statement

Dickie Bird on Saturday’s game…

Well-known Barnsley supporter Dickie Bird wants everyone to know he is still a Barnsley fan!

In conjunction with both Barnsley and Sheffield United he commented today on how banter during a filmed interview ahead of the South Yorkshire derby game had been misunderstood.

“I think some fans have been questioning my loyalty to the Tykes,” said Dickie. “Nothing could be further from the truth.

“I have been a fan for more than 80 years and have a season ticket for the club which I have had for years.

“I had been invited to the game on Saturday by Sheffield United and there had been some jokey comments about me wearing a Sheffield United tie which I was wearing as I was a guest of the club.

“I did the interview thanking Sheffield United for the invite which had come through their co-owner Kevin McCabe who is a close friend. I am very fortunate to receive invites to a lot of games and this was just another such occasion.”

A spokesman for Sheffield United: “Everybody recognises that Dickie is Barnsley through and through, and always will be. He has never hidden that fact wherever he is.

“Dickie was a guest of the Club. In the board room, before the game, there was the usual pre-match banter including with Dickie who was wearing a United tie, which was mentioned in the interview, as part of the friendly, good natured spirit between him, Barnsley and the Blades that everyone was enjoying in the build-up to kick-off.

“He has attended games previously at Bramall Lane as a guest of our club and a visitor with Barnsley. On Saturday he wore a Yorkshire cricket coat and we knew he was backing Barnsley throughout the game Dickie is first and foremost a Tyke at heart.”

A spokesman for Barnsley Football Club said, “We were disappointed to see Dickie portrayed as anything other than a keen supporter of Barnsley Football Club. He is always the first in the queue to renew his season tickets at the beginning of every season and supports the Club financially in as many ways as he possibly can. We hope this matter can be put to bed and we look forward to welcoming Dickie to Oakwell on Saturday along with the many other thousands of true Reds as we take on Sunderland.”

 

I never doubted him ,Ive always known he was a true red , knew it would be banter of some sort he was on .
Some hate him for some reason and have shown it on this forum, I'll take it with the pinch of salt it was intended.
Dickies red through and through never s doubt in my mind.

 

Thank you for that.
I think this shows a few people up that were getting on at the 80+ year old.
Ridiculous!!!

 

Most never really doubted him to begin with but I don't think this will be enough for some folk. That appalling Facebook page that was posted on here yesterday underlines the mentality of some of our fans.

 

Whether he made himself a bit of a target or not, why it's taken so seriously I do not know.

It's only football.

 

I honestly couldn't care less who he supports.

 

I was more annoyed when some people tried to deny he'd said what I heard him say.

 

he can say what he wants but by wearing the tie of another club other than his own then he has committed sacrilege for me. Like wise with Parkinson who goes to Old Trafford as a supporter.

 

He's 84 years of age , let him enjoy his last few years

 

I rest my case. I hope those that have given him dogs abuse hang their heads in shame.

 

I thinks it's a real shame that it's took media statements to confirm what most of Barnsley already know. Leave the old lad alone, demonising someone of his age is pretty low. I couldn't give a monkey's if tomorrow he said he hates football and he only goes to the game to get out of the house to be around folk.

 

"part of the friendly, good natured spirit between him, Barnsley and the Blades..."

Tea and fairy-cakes with Islamic State.

Light-hearted banter between Turkey and Armenia.

Gentle ribbing between an aroused, hungry grizzly bear and a human.

**** me.

 

I refuse to believe that someone would honestly compare a football club to the Islamic State.

And I quote: "**** me."

 

I think the press & SUFC have played him like a fiddle, taken advantage of an old man.

 

Believe what you will - I can't say as I'm bothered either way.

 

Lovely little article. So cute and friendly. He's wearing a Sheffield united tie because he's their guest. Nice clarification on why he said he was supporting Sheffield united and was going for a Sheffield united win too. Oh hang on that was glossed over because dickies got a season ticket.

I repeat my earlier stance. He sold out for a free lunch. Does that make him a horrible person or deserving of a Facebook group against him? Certainly not. Does it mean that people can make a personal judgement about his loyalties and priorities? Course it does.

 

I don't see the stitch up personally. He got a free lunch and in order to ensure further free lunches he kissed the arses of the opposition and said what they wanted to hear to make sure he got a freebie next time too.

Of course he wasn't actually supporting united but he did sell out by saying that he was doing so for a free lunch. That's his right of course but the only element of a stitch up is that they knew his reputation and asked him

 

I'll tell you what, some people need to get a ******* grip. Jesus Christ. Old bloke gets a freebie and plays the part for the day. So ******* what!!!

Had my old man still been alive he would be a couple of years short of Dickie's age. If anyone wanted to have a pop at him because he had the cheek to *shock horror* put a tie on that relates to another club I'd be less than impressed for sure.

 

Does he get the early bus in to be there before the ticket office opens? Wondered who that shivering old bloke was at the door, flask and dripping sarnie in hand.