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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Tottenham fans criticised for ‘sign on’ chants at Liverpool: ‘Poverty and joblessness are not fair game for banter’

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) says it is "disappointed" with the chanting of 'sign on' from sections of the away end during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

Said to have been popularised in the 1980s, when the city of Liverpool was suffering a severe economic downturn, the chant is a reference to unemployment - to the tune of Liverpool's club anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone.

The THST said in a statement this morning: "Singing about the opposition has long been a feature of English football, and we are reluctant to tell fans how they should support the team.

"Nevertheless, we were disappointed to hear the “Sign on” chant at Saturday's away match at Anfield.

"Poverty and joblessness are not fair game for banter. There is a cost of living crisis throughout England, including in London. Our Club represents an area and community with the fastest growing rate of unemployment in the country.

"We are rightly proud of our away support, and we want it to be noticed for positive reasons. For most of the game at Anfield our fans gave superb backing to a great team performance.

“Spurs fans have provided financial backing to Marine FC on Merseyside, and regularly contribute to foodbanks and community initiatives in London. This is what we are about.

"The “Sign on” chant is not what we are about. We’re Tottenham Hotspur. We’re better than that."

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