I wouldn't say unprovoked.
Watching your son get humiliated for a year by an ageing wanker would count as sufficient provocation. At least in my book it would. If I had a kid that was being bullied week in week out by a middle aged man, I'd probably fucking punch them as well.

My dad had spoken to him plenty of times in the past to tell him to calm himself down, because his behaviour was unacceptable. And he had plenty of time to defend himself, between tapping him on the shoulder, giving him time to turn around, confronting him, and then punching him. Not giving him a chance to defend himself would be if he punched him in the head from behind, and then proceed to kick the shit out of him whilst he was on the floor. He hit him, and walked off.

Also, it wasn't in front of a group of 8 year olds. They were in the changing rooms. This was on the touchline, with the other parents. He wouldn't even do it in front of me, which is why he put me in the car first (although cars have windows...).

Fair enough if, in your opinion, it was an over-reaction. Some people are completely averse to any kind of violence, and that's fine. Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with it. A lot of people seem to have this opinion that unless the other person is physically aggressive, then no amount of name-calling or bullying of any kind is worthy of some sort of physical response. Again, if that's what you believe then thats very commendable of you. But I don't believe that. Having been on the receiving end of bully tactics several times as a kid, I found it amazing how quickly people stopped picking on me when I put them on their arse (of course, that can backfire as well, and I've had the shit kicked out of me before for defending myself...)

I don't know how sticking up for your son can make you a bully though. I would have thought regularly acting in a way made to intimidate, belittle and undermine the confidence of other people would make you a bully. My dad is actually a very quiet, shy man despite his size and ability as a fighter. In my entire life, I have only ever seen him be violent twice. That was one of the times. The other was when I was playing on my skateboard in the back yard, and a guy with an old english sheepdog came to the gate and was trying to get me to open the gate and come down the road with him. I told my Dad, who sent me into the house and went and opened the gate. Again, I was watching out of the dining room window. Whilst I didn't see what happened, when the gate opened again the other guy was on the floor.
( PMGT -Bacon., Fri 20 Apr 2012, 19:38, 1 reply)

Listen up, my pedigree chum.
I'd like to book your dad to fight a gypsy in a barn.
(judgetheobscure used to sweep in butchers' shops., Mon 23 Apr 2012, 15:25, closed)

That made me laugh more than it should have.

( PMGT -Bacon., Mon 23 Apr 2012, 23:46, closed)