Attack of the Football Dad....
I take Rowan to play football at a local community centre on Tuesday evenings and, while he's not very good just yet, he does enjoy it. We travel down with his friend Isaac in his mum's car these days, as both boys were starting to really hate the quick-march across the neighbourhood from school.
I can't say I relished it myself, so it's all good. Plus sometimes Jen offers to collect Rowan for me and meet me down there, which gives me more time if I have errands to run.
There's one kid who plays, I think his family comes from Portugal. It's usually his mother that takes him, but recently his father's been accompanying them too and he is a prize arsehole. He's always on his son's back about his performance, and frequently remarks at other parents if he thinks their younger kids are running amok too close to the 'pitch' (read: right at the feet of the parents) Jen and I frequently roll our eyes about it.
Today, he tried to give a 'pep-talk' to one lad - not much more than eight years old, if that - who'd gotten knocked and was a bit tearful. I thought I heard him make some comment about how football is for men, not women, but I chose to overlook it, thinking I'd perhaps misheard him.
Later on, Rowan gets a bit upset himself at some unexpected contact with the ball. I personally thought he was overreacting, but I called him over for a cuddle nonetheless; this guy then starts on at us about how football is for men, not women.
Well. Jen and I gave him filthy looks, then refused to pay him anymore attention.
I think the point he was trying to make is that it's not a sport for wimps and crybabies, but for fucks sake! I don't care if his English is poor or whatever, you never say something like that - particularly to a child's mother. I could have slapped him one, and Jen had to restrain herself from giving him an earful.
At the end of the session, he was having some sort of arguement with Michelle, one of the young women who oversee the kids during the session (Yes that's right, it's run mostly by women). I can't believe how over the top this wanker gets - these are small children just having a kick around, not the national team's training camp! This is just supposed to be a fun way to provide some exercise for the kids.
You gotta feel sorry for his son, and his wife who fled the building and waited outside for them...
If he's still keeping up this bullshit, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Jen loses her cool with him. She said in the car that her husband certainly would have had a few words to say, and he's one of the most placid guys I know.
On a happier note, Isaac's little brother Aaron got up the courage to take his first penalty kick at the end of the session today! *grins* He's such a cutie.
I can't say I relished it myself, so it's all good. Plus sometimes Jen offers to collect Rowan for me and meet me down there, which gives me more time if I have errands to run.
There's one kid who plays, I think his family comes from Portugal. It's usually his mother that takes him, but recently his father's been accompanying them too and he is a prize arsehole. He's always on his son's back about his performance, and frequently remarks at other parents if he thinks their younger kids are running amok too close to the 'pitch' (read: right at the feet of the parents) Jen and I frequently roll our eyes about it.
Today, he tried to give a 'pep-talk' to one lad - not much more than eight years old, if that - who'd gotten knocked and was a bit tearful. I thought I heard him make some comment about how football is for men, not women, but I chose to overlook it, thinking I'd perhaps misheard him.
Later on, Rowan gets a bit upset himself at some unexpected contact with the ball. I personally thought he was overreacting, but I called him over for a cuddle nonetheless; this guy then starts on at us about how football is for men, not women.
Well. Jen and I gave him filthy looks, then refused to pay him anymore attention.
I think the point he was trying to make is that it's not a sport for wimps and crybabies, but for fucks sake! I don't care if his English is poor or whatever, you never say something like that - particularly to a child's mother. I could have slapped him one, and Jen had to restrain herself from giving him an earful.
At the end of the session, he was having some sort of arguement with Michelle, one of the young women who oversee the kids during the session (Yes that's right, it's run mostly by women). I can't believe how over the top this wanker gets - these are small children just having a kick around, not the national team's training camp! This is just supposed to be a fun way to provide some exercise for the kids.
You gotta feel sorry for his son, and his wife who fled the building and waited outside for them...
If he's still keeping up this bullshit, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Jen loses her cool with him. She said in the car that her husband certainly would have had a few words to say, and he's one of the most placid guys I know.
On a happier note, Isaac's little brother Aaron got up the courage to take his first penalty kick at the end of the session today! *grins* He's such a cutie.