[Dude]

:roll: The righteous are at it again on cocktalk, apparently this thread is evidence of the sheffield mafia! Lol

[dave]

any reference to the sheffield mafia these days can generally be decoded to read "i'm not from sheffield but i feel intimidated or somehow excluded by the fact that there are quite a lot of pro-active climbers based in sheffield". I don't know why some people feel so insecure or threatened by this. I mean am supposed I to feel guilty for living in sheffield? fuck that.

[Sloper]

Lets be fair there is a 'serious' clique within the sheffield (and other climbing) communities the reason why the sheffield mob get it in the throat is the drivel that used to be published in OTE aka what me and my mates have been up to.

This is not to say that all climbers from Sheffield act as if they arepart of some elite club or superior to other climbers.

It's often a queston of bitching about the 'usual suspects' generally from a position of ignorance, as a complete punter I've had sessions with plenty of well known climbers (many of whom are ot considered to be at least a capo in the mob) and enjoyed a good day out with plenty of banter without any bitchiness or cold shoulders.

So in short, there are cliques, there is a mafia, but so bloody what, the problem is with the individuals who don't have the wherewithall to interact with other climbers at the crag and prefer to wait till they get to the pub / wall / computer and slag people off.

Lets face it some people are arrogant tossers, climbers are people, therefore some climebrs will be arrogant tossers.

[tommytwotone]

for sure. Think the perceived antagonism between 'camps' has been and gone as well, from what I've seen on here at least.

I'm assuming that if, say, one of the strong Lakes boyz came down and knocked off the Ace or summat, the "mafia" would be sending out props rather than asking "are you sure, have you got a video?"

[Sloper]

Hmm I'm not so sure, in fact the shit stiring a nd backstabbing that I've heard of late would suggest that the green eyed monster is alive and kicking in Sheffield (and probably elsewhere, bu I've not been outside the peak for a while)

[nik at work]

Tom, you back in the coutry now?

Should be around at the weekend if you're available.

Re: Mafia

AFAIK the Sheffield Mafia is a historical entity, it origins shrouded in the blankets of time and rumour. Its current relevance to climbing culture is at best minimal, it is a creature taking its dying breaths. That is not to say the motivations behind its conception have been removed, merely that the targets have broadened in the nurturing compost of technology. 'Elitism', is the new perceied evil, which whilst it lacks the geographical prejudices of previous manifestations of the rumour machine, is still an entity created from fables rather than fact. Anyone still bemoaning the negative influence of the Sheffield Mafia has both misunderstood the influence, motivations and personalities of specific individuals, and (perhaps more humiliating in modern society) singularly failed to move with fashion.

Or

You disrespectin' Sheffield, you disrespectin' my family. You disrespectin' my family, you disrespectin' me. Capice?

[Bubba]

Good post  :up:

[underground]

I reckon there's another element to this- take many other sports with 'hero figures', F1, Premier league footy, Tennis- fans of these do a bit of hero worshipping.

Now I'm sure there's loads of this in climbing, judging by the number of 'Ooh I met Johnny Dawes' type comments you hear on CT.

Difference to Formula 1- you're not likely to end up driving side by side with Schumacher or sat in the pub near him in the town he lives- and even if you di be in the same pub, he wouldn't be forced to even want to share your air or be dead matey boy. So, why should Moffatt or Moon and co. be any different. Especially if you're a self opinionated repellent geek the likes of which this 'mafia' claptrap seems to emanate from....?

[dave]

word, or should i say "parola"

[Sloper]

Nik, yes back in the country, struggling to refrain from telling our fuckwitted managers to fuck off and thinking about how I'm going to survive another day of this crap. (applying fro new jobs helps).

Weather looks utterly crap this weekend so probably watching the rugby and getting pissed, maybe out the weekend after next, when are you of to Font?

Anyway back on the subject of the sheffield mafia, look out for a beanie hat in your bed.

[Sloper]

I reckon there's another element to this- take many other sports with 'hero figures', F1, Premier league footy, Tennis- fans of these do a bit of hero worshipping.

Now I'm sure there's loads of this in climbing, judging by the number of 'Ooh I met Johnny Dawes' type comments you hear on CT.

Difference to Formula 1- you're not likely to end up driving side by side with Schumacher or sat in the pub near him in the town he lives- and even if you di be in the same pub, he wouldn't be forced to even want to share your air or be dead matey boy. So, why should Moffatt or Moon and co. be any different. Especially if you're a self opinionated repellent geek the likes of which this 'mafia' claptrap seems to emanate from....?

The point is that plenty of 'the usual suspects' are more than happy to show you problems 'allow' you to join in their session etc.

If anyone is trying to deny that there aren't groups of well known climbers who go out climbing together and that this gives the impression of a clique or 'mafia' is blind and or stupid.

It's onl;y a problem if you let it be a problem.

[SA Chris]

You disrespectin' Sheffield, you disrespectin' my family. You disrespectin' my family, you disrespectin' me. Capice?

Surely you mean Caprice?

I am going to form a mob called the raffia. We dont climb, just make artistic designs out of dried palm leaves.

Or whatever it is.

[underground]

The point is that plenty of 'the usual suspects' are more than happy to show you problems 'allow' you to join in their session etc.

If anyone is trying to deny that there aren't groups of well known climbers who go out climbing together and that this gives the impression of a clique or 'mafia' is blind and or stupid.

It's onl;y a problem if you let it be a problem.

Just trying to decipher that.... I don't think anyone's trying to deny that there are groups of well known climbers who go out climbing together, nor am I refuting your earlier point. But I do get the impression that there is an assumption on a lot of people's part that they should automatically get some right to 'know' these people just cos in their own minds they already 'know' them through reputation.

Why does it give the impression of a clique? It damn well is a clique if you're not in it, and there's no reason why it shouldn't stay so.  If I'm famous it doesn't mean I have to let you in.

I might be friendly and inclusive towards you if you happen to be at the same boulder as me, but don't expect me to be your best pal just cos you know my name out of a magazine. Especially if you're a bit of a cnut.

[Paz]

I want to be Luca Brasi, if we need anyone killed.  It's a right Lafia.