Hun – The Celtic Wiki

Celtic Slang | About Celtic | Celtic’s Foundation

Definition

Affectionate term used to describe the more rabid supporters (sic!) of various opposition clubs whose general political slant is strongly right-wing, parochial, conservative and highly xenophobic towards any form of outside influence.

“Huns” can usually be easily spotted due to their lack of cleanliness, and general poor looks.

“Huns” usually refers to Rangers fans in the main, but also can be used to refer to Hearts, Kilmarnock and even fans from clubs from outside Scotland who sympathise with them.

Lots of different stories on how this name came about, but the most likely stems from that a number of Rangers players were able to dodge the war effort in the World Wars due to connections taking roles in the shipyards instead. Critics said that were no better than the “Huns” (slang at the time in the UK media for the Germans and their Axis power counterparts), and the term stuck.

Used to actually be a term that Rangers fans also used themselves against Celtic fans at one point (up to the 1960s), but it didn’t stick as it wasn’t accurate. It was back then a commonly used slang term by people referencing their enemies.

When tested in courts, it has not been found to be sectarian when the evidence is put forward. When John Guidetti was ‘charged’ by the SFA in 2015 for reciting the ‘Huns are died’ song on Dutch TV, the SFA could not find it sectarian, but punished Guidetti “for attacking Rangers or making fun of Rangers for having gone into liquidation back in 2012“. We all just laughed.

In summary, Hun is NOT sectarian, it’s just a mentality. One best summed up by the delusion and elitism of the phrase “we are the people“.

Possible earliest recorded usage of Hun in football

Ever wondered why and for how long Sevco fans have been called Huns?

From the Glasgow Star October 1916. http://www.theglasgowirish.com

(thx to Celtic historian Ian McCallum for this)

Hun

KDS Defn

The huns are vermin. They have always been vermin. Vermin is what they do. Hate is the only thing they have to call their own, their only badge of identity. They define themselves by what they are not, God help them, like poor whites in Appalachia congratulating themselves that they are not black as they sit moonshined in their shacks and eye up their daughters.

They hate modern Scotland with an ever-deepening hatred, and the English, whom they are so desperate to impress, despise them with a passion, because the Englishness they aspire to died in the mud of Flanders, its death rattle only to be heard in the screams of rage of the BNP.

The poor bast’ards think loyalty to a non-existent empire is a culture. They have no language, no literature, no poetry and no music save a few stolen tunes to which they attach words of hate.

They are despised by all decent, educated people in Scotland, their own country; they are mocked by the English they are so desperate to cling to; the Taigs are taking all the top jobs in the north of Ireland, leaving them without even fabled “Ulster” to call their own. Never having had to compete in the Six Counties, they are now incapable of competing.

They have nothing going for them – zilch, nada. They don’t matter in importance. They are fecked. The only people who don’t know it are them and anyone who gets upset by them.
(Torquemeda Aug 08)

The Short History of Hunnery

In 1912 Harland and Wolff (Belfast) set up a shipyard in Govan. They brought over workers from Belfast who would dominate the yards culture (being charge hands etc).

Wolff was German and World War I broke out in 1914 between Germany and Britain and France.

The British propaganda machine produced posters that referred to the Germans as Huns

http://www.firstworldwar.com/posters/uk.htm

If, as was likely, Catholics were discouraged from applying for work in the yards, it is easy to see how the term for Germans was transferred to Govan workers with a German boss who supported their local team Rangers.

This does not make it so, but it is not improbable.

Thus a hun is not a religious term but one for someone who indulges in sectarian practice (denial of job on basis of religion).

The term “hun” is not itself religious or sectarian but the description of anyone of any relgious persuasion who is narrow minded and bigotted. That a majority of folk with that attitude of mind have congregated around Rangers comes from first geography (Govan and shipyards) and two history where the narrow minded attitude was encouraged by the no Catholics signing policy.

A hun is therefore not really a description of a person but of the narrow minded and bigotted attributes that such a person holds.

It can never ever be described as a recognised religion, Christian or otherwise.
(by Auldyin of KStreet Forum, Oct 08)

UEFA on the term “Hun”

Following correspondence in September 2008, UEFA confirmed that Hun is not a sectarian term to a dishevelled Rangers fan!

Original Letter
Dear Sirs,
I feel compelled to write to you this evening to lodge a complaint about the offensive chanting by Celtic fans during their home game with Aalborg this evening.

I was utterly shocked to hear the Celtic fans sing ‘ There’s no HUNS in Europe’. The use of the word ‘HUNS’, in the context of Scottish society, is a sick sectarian slur on the protestant community and must be condemned by all right thinking people.

I find this chant and the use of this word, utterly reprehensible, and I am angry and annoyed that these so called fans consistently sing these songs and never appear to be reprimanded by UEFA.

Surely, such blatantly bigoted, sectarian, ant-protestant chants are contrary to UEFA rules, or is there a specific exception for Celtic Football Club.

I am not prepared to be openly insulted by these apologists for terrorists and murderers. It is deplorable that their sickening chants in support of Irish terrorists have been ignored by UEFA in the past, and I’m not prepared to tolerate such a blatant attack upon my religion on this occasion.

I expect UEFA to initiate an immediate, full and thorough investigation to verify that the chants were made and, having done so, to impose the severest sanction possible upon Celtic FC and their shameful fans.

I look forward to an early response

UEFA response
Dear Sir,

You have contacted the UEFA disciplinary services to complain about a song called “Huns away from Europe” that appears to have been chanted by Celtic supporters during the UEFA Champions League fixture between Celtic FC and Aalborg on 17 September. With all respect to your personal feelings and impression, the terms you object to do not appear to be connected with racial abuse or discrimination. Factually, the term “hun” has a historical background, notably in Europe. We understand that the chant “huns out of Europe” might have been referring to the fact that their arch rivals, Rangers, did not qualify for the UEFA Champions League! Celtic fans seem to refer to Rangers as the hun (the enemy).

Should you still consider the text to have a sectarian background, we recommend that you address the matter to the competent authorities in Scotland.

Yours faithfully

UEFA Disciplinary Services

CELTIC fans who unfurled a banner calling Rangers fans “huns” walked free from court after a three-day trial.

The Sun

Green Brigade members Daniel Ward, 23, and Daniel McCorgray, 22, both of Glasgow, were charged with breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice at a Celtic v St Mirren game in August 2010.

Their banner showed Hoops boss Neil Lennon outside a flaming Ibrox with the slogan ‘Huns FC’ on the main stand. Another banner said: “Let’s go to war.”

The pair were granted legal aid as the court heard complex legal arguments in the trial.

But Sheriff Alayne Swanson took just 20 minutes to return a not proven verdict last week at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Ward’s lawyer, ex-Celt Gerry Britton, said as no-one had complained there was no breach. He added: “The charge tried to link two banners but they were separate.

“Our argument was that the word “huns” may be none too pleasant, but is not a religious comment.”

Ofcom

“Hun – Mild language, generally of little concern. However, seen as less acceptable by those familiar with the history and use of the term as a sectarian insult.”
OFCOM (Media watchdog) Oct 2016, disagree with sectarian bit though

John Guidetti guilty of ‘Huns are deid’ song

by STEPHEN HALLIDAY
published16:45 Thursday 30 April 2015

CELTIC striker John Guidetti has been found guilty by an SFA Judicial Panel of making a comment of an offensive nature towards Rangers.

The Swedish international avoided a fine or suspension for his breach of SFA rules and was instead censured by the panel.

Guidetti was cited by SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan for singing a song which refers to Rangers as “huns” during an interview with Dutch television programme FC Rijnmond in March.

Asked to recite the lyrics of a song the Celtic support have sung about him this season, the 23-year-old sang: “Oh John Guidetti, puts the ball in the net-y, he’s a Super Swede and the huns are deid, walking in Guidetti wonderland.”

The “huns are deid” line is a mocking reference to Rangers’ financial collapse and liquidation in 2012. Supporters of the Ibrox club regard the term“hun” as sectarian and some of them have campaigned to have it recognised as such.

Under SFA disciplinary guidelines, Guidetti could have faced a two-match suspension for breaching rule 73 which deals with “making comments of an offensive nature”.

“I think when you play for Celtic, or any high-profile club, you have to be very careful about what you do off the park.
Kris Commons

Celtic offered their full backing to a defence of their on-loan Manchester City player at yesterday’s Hampden hearing which they believed should not have taken place at all.

“We are very surprised and disappointed that this has even found its way to an SFA judicial panel,” said a Celtic spokesman when Guidetti was initially issued with the notice of complaint by McGlennan.

Speaking yesterday before the verdict was announced, Guidetti’s team-mate Kris Commons insisted the Celtic players did not regard the incident as significant when it occurred in March.

“We didn’t really mention anything, it wasn’t even an issue,” said Commons. “It’s something between John and the club.

“We have more important things to concentrate on, we were still talking about the treble and winning the league so things that happen off the field just kind of go over our head and we concentrate on the football side of things.

“I think when you play for Celtic, or any high-profile club, you have to be very careful about what you do off the park, but that’s not anything new.

“When you sign for a high-profile club you’ve got to be wary of what you say, tweet, text and do in press conferences. You will have a backlash if you do anything wrong and I think that’s just part and parcel with being a professional footballer.”

Calling Rangers fans ‘huns’ not a sectarian slur, judges rule as they overturn decision

Supporter has religious prejudice conviction quashed

new

James Mulholland,

Lizzie Roberts

Friday February 02 2024, 4.30pm, The Times

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/calling-rangers-fans-huns-not-a-sectarian-slur-judges-rule-as-they-overturn-decision-5l7cxj620

Rangers fans are now called “huns” by opposing supporters but once themselves used the term to describe Celtic fans

James Mulholland,

Lizzie Roberts

Friday February 02 2024, 4.30pm, The Times

A sheriff wrongly concluded that the term “hun” was a form of religiously aggravated abuse against Protestants, a panel of Scotland’s most senior judges has found.

In a ruling that clarifies the glossary of offensive language, appeal judges have concluded that the expression does not contain a religious aspect or indicate malice or ill-will towards Protestant people.

Senior judges rule sheriff was wrong say ‘hun’ is Protestant slur

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/24093916.senior-judges-rule-sheriff-wrong-say-hun-protestant-slur/
A panel of Scotland’s most senior judges have found a sheriff was wrong to conclude that the word “hun” is a form of religiously aggravated abuse against Protestants.

Appeal judges ruled on Friday that it was wrong for David Di Pinto to be found guilty of a religious prejudice aggravation to his breach of the peace conviction.

The 39-year-old had been arrested during the Scottish League Cup final between Celtic and Hibs at Hampden Park in Glasgow in December 2021.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how Mr Di Pinto shouted, swore and called two police officers “Hun c**ts”.

His trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that he shouted, swore and flailed his arms during the incident.

Sheriff Anthony McGlennan fined him £500 and gave him a 12-month-long football banning order.

Lawyers for Di Pinto, 39, of Renfrew, challenged the religious aggravation element of his conviction at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh last month.

Solicitor advocate Ann Ogg argued that the word “hun” did not contain a religious aspect or indicate malice or ill will towards Protestant people.

The court heard that it was a non-religious slur used to describe Rangers fans.

She told judges Lord Carloway, Lord Matthews and Lord Boyd that there was also evidence available to show that Rangers fans once called Celtic supporters “huns”.

The court heard this was because Rangers fans believed their counterparts supported the Nazi war effort.

She also said that there was an Old Firm match in 1983 when Celtic fans and Rangers fans united in singing “Go Home You Huns” because they didn’t like the Half Time entertainment.

She added: “It is submitted that there is some dubiety about the meaning of the word hun.

“It is submitted that because of this, the sheriff was wrong to use their judicial knowledge to make the determination.

“It is not a slur against people of the Protestant faith.”

In a written judgement issued on Friday Scotland’s most senior judge Lord Carloway, who sat with colleagues Lord Matthews and Lord Boyd, upheld Ms Ogg’s submissions.

The judgement makes references to novelists Irvine Welsh and Christopher Brookmyre and their use of the word “hun”. It also references a book called The Patter which was published in 1985. Lord Carloway describes it as being “a slim and often amusing volume which is intended as “a defining guide to the language of Glasgow”.

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In the judgement, Lord Carloway quashes the religious aggravation component of Mr Di Pinto’s breach of the peace conviction.

He wrote: “The appeal must be allowed in so far as the conviction relates to the uttering of a sectarian remark and the religious aggravation.”

In the judgement, Lord Carloway also advises how future prosecutions of people who make offensive religiously aggravated comments against Rangers fans be handled.

He wrote: “If a religious prejudice aggravation is to be libelled in respect of remarks which are thought to be directed, at least initially, at Rangers supporters, care will have to be given to how exactly such a libel can reflect the provisions of section 74 of the 2003 act.

“Whatever perceptions may exist about Rangers and their supporters, neither can be described as a “religious group” or similar.

“They are respectively a football club and their fans. Their objective is not related to the promotion of religious faith or a way of life but to winning leagues and cups.

“Rangers supporters exist throughout the world, but they can hardly be described as a group.

“Even if they were, the fact that most Rangers fans may be Protestant, in the very broad sense of coming from that part of European society that emerged from the Reformation, does not make them a group with religious affiliations.

“Many of the fan base will be secular in outlook, albeit they may profess a tribal loyalty or an irrational antipathy towards the opposition supporters for 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon or a Wednesday night.

“A person who attends at Ibrox, however fanatical, will not think that he or she is attending a religious ceremony as distinct from a sporting event.”

The hearing at the Court of Criminal Appeal followed a hearing last year at the Sheriff Appeal Court. Sheriffs there rejected the arguments made by Mr Di Pinto’s lawyers.

In a written judgment, Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar wrote: “The historic sectarian tensions within Glasgow and particularly between supporters of Rangers FC and Celtic FC are well understood in Scotland.

“The fact that the word “hun” is used as a derogatory term to describe supporters of Rangers FC is, in our view, a matter of judicial knowledge.”

Ms Ogg told the Court of Criminal Appeal that the appeal sheriffs were mistaken to conclude that “hun” was a sectarian slur when used in relation to Rangers.

Mr Di Pinto’s legal team had previously argued that the use of the word “hun” did not contain a religious aspect or indicate malice and ill-will towards a religious group.

They noted that a “hun” was a member of a warlike nomadic people from Central Asia who invaded and ravaged Europe in the fourth and fifth centuries.

In the judgement issued on Friday, Lord Carloway and his colleagues concluded that there was ambiguity surrounding the use of the word “hun” and that Sheriff McGlennan was wrong to conclude that it was a religious slur.

He wrote about how this could be seen by consulting dictionaries.

He added: “The most obvious reference works are dictionaries. The Scottish National Dictionary gives, as the primary definition, ‘Abusive name for a person who supports, or a footballer who plays for Rangers’.

“Two prominent Scottish novelists are cited; Irvine Welsh referring to Hibs playing ‘the huns in the semi at Hampden’ and Christopher Brookmyre, from Glasgow, mentioning ‘policing the huns next visit’.

“It cannot be said that these comments, both in the football context, are referring not to Rangers or their fans but to Protestants generally.

“The secondary definition is certainly as an ‘Abusive term for a Protestant’, but the derivation of this is Michael Munro’s The Patter (1985); a slim and often amusing volume which is intended as ‘a defining guide to the language of Glasgow’.

Mr Munro’s description of “hun” is not in the context of abuse but: ‘A nickname for a Protestant. Also a vague non-sectarian insult much used in football chants like ‘The referee’s a hun’ or ‘Go home ya hun’” (emphases added).

“This definition is adopted as a fifth meaning in the Oxford English Dictionary which thus describes “hun” as referring to “A Protestant” but also to “a supporter of or player for Rangers …”

The judges then quashed the religious aggravation aspect to Mr Di Pinto’s breach of the peace conviction.