Best thing I’ve read in ages

[PDX_Rover]

https://www.facebook.com/boris.starling

This is England.

This is England: Raheem Sterling, whose big sister would go with him to training and back every day, three buses each way, and never once complained. Raheem Sterling, who called the day he bought his mum a house ‘the best day of my life.’

This is England: Jordan Henderson, who spent most of the first lockdown last year organising the other 19 Premiership captains to help raise money for the NHS.

This is England: Marcus Rashford, who secured free school meals for vulnerable kids during school holidays after the government had refused to extend the programme. Marcus Rashford, who lives by the words of his mother Melanie: ‘take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose.’

This is England: Mason Mount, who gave the shirt he’d worn in the semi-final victory over Denmark to a 10-year-old girl called Belle in the crowd, and in doing her made her smile a smile so incandescent it could melt the Siberian permafrost.

This is England: Tyrone Mings, who spent part of his childhood in a homeless shelter, who played non-league football while working as a barman and mortgage advisor, and who tells kids at the coaching camps he runs that the game is nothing unless they enjoy it. Tyrone Mings, who was taunted with monkey chants on his England debut against Bulgaria and didn’t pretend he hadn’t heard, who turned to the assistant referee and said, firmly but without aggression, ‘did you hear that?’ As in: we’ve got a problem here, you’re part of the officiating team, so this is your problem too and I’m not going to let you duck it, because though this was the most important match of his life there were some things which were more important still than that.

This is England: Luke Shaw, who when playing for Southampton watched Liverpool players file unseeingly past two small boys waiting for their autographs, and who went over and said ‘I know I don’t play for your team, but will I do?’ and posed for a photo with them which they will never forget.

This is England: Declan Rice, who would play cage football in New Malden every day after school and all day on Saturdays, not because he was the best but because he wasn’t.

This is England: Bukayo Saka, who got As and A*s in his GCSEs because his parents insisted that he work as hard inside the classroom as he did on the pitch. Bukayo Saka, whose Christian name in Yoruba means ‘adds to happiness.’

This is England: Kieran Trippier, who still speaks regularly to his old teachers at Woodhey High School in Bury because they looked out for him and his brothers. Kieran Trippier, who every day has cause to reflect on the truth of the inscription by the school gates: ‘where dreams may grow.’

This is England: Kalvin Phillips, whose mum worked two jobs while his dad was in and out of prison. One of those jobs was at Harpo’s Pizzas, where you can now order the Kalvin’s Special.

This is England: Gareth Southgate, who until recently was most famous for missing a penalty he had the balls to volunteer for even though he’d never taken one before, because he knew what Teddy Roosevelt meant when he talked about the man in the arena.

These, too, are England: an incompetent government and an ineffectual opposition; a system which rewards the venal, the vainglorious and the mendacious; tribes which assume the worst of each other and snipe over Brexit, lockdown and masks; public services creaking under the strain of decades of underfunding; kids getting stabbed and women getting attacked; morons who boo the opponents’ national anthems and shine laser pens at their goalkeepers; and so very, very much more. These too are England, and they will still be so next week, next month and next year.

But, if only for today, there is an England of Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, of Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount, of Tyrone Mings and Luke Shaw, of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, of Kieran Trippier and Kalvin Phillips, and of Gareth Southgate. If only for today, this is my England. You choose yours.

[i_ateallthepies]

Agreed there, PDX

[RobTheRover]

Superb

[graingrover]

Working class lads who won’t be divided and who represents the true values of the nation at large ( paraphrasing the Mayor of Manchester ) .

[SydneyRover]

yep they are really nice words, but that's all they are until those that stand by watching and listening to others decry taking a knee and those that support a government that wants to divide the nation into the top few % of super rich and use race to divide the nation.

You have to actually do something

[Campsall rover]

yep they are really nice words, but that's all they are until those that stand by watching and listening to others decry taking a knee and those that support a government that wants to divide the nation into the top few % of super rich and use race to divide the nation.

You have to actually do something

Sydney you post a great deal lot of common sense regarding Football. Just get that in first.

So you seriously think this Government are using Race to divide the nation? Sorry that’s crackers imo.
Also why would they also want to lose all those traditional Labour Voters who voted for them at the last election. Sorry that doesn’t make any sense whatsoever and would be political suicide.

We have just gone through the biggest crisis since the 2nd World War and most people whatever status or ethnicity will have suffered to some degree over the last 16 months.

Having said all that don’t you think your extremely blinkered views on the Conservative Government should be saved for off topic threads.
Just to say Sydney I have no allegiance to any political party and will always vote for the party who I think will do the least worst job for the country. Don’t think either of our major parties have been listening to the public for a very very long time.

[SydneyRover]

Just take a step back and ask why the country is in such a mess and then ask yourself how Austerity and brexit has helped and how it is going to help the poor in the country. Then I think the discussion should go to off topic.

What brexit is and what was voted for bears no resemblance and I'm pretty sure people wouldn't have voted for Austerity if they knew what it would bring.

[Campsall rover]

Just take a step back and ask why the country is in such a mess and then ask yourself how Austerity and brexit has helped and how it is going to help the poor in the country. Then I think the discussion should go to off topic.

What brexit is and what was voted for bears no resemblance and I'm pretty sure people wouldn't have voted for Austerity if they knew what it would bring.

I did not vote for Brexit. As for Austerity, no I agree with you in hindsight I think it was taken way too far.

Having said that a Jeremy Corbyn Government would have taken this country back to the dark ages and would have been more divisive for the country than any Tory government has been in my life time imo.

[SydneyRover]

Just take a step back and ask why the country is in such a mess and then ask yourself how Austerity and brexit has helped and how it is going to help the poor in the country. Then I think the discussion should go to off topic.

What brexit is and what was voted for bears no resemblance and I'm pretty sure people wouldn't have voted for Austerity if they knew what it would bring.

I did not vote for Brexit. As for Austerity, no I agree with you in hindsight I think it was taken way too far.

Having said that a Jeremy Corbyn Government would have taken this country back to the dark ages and would have been more divisive for the country than any Tory government has been in my life time imo.

This is yours and my country and it is being run by self centred lunatics that ensure they and there mates get the lions share of what's on offer, the seventh richest country in the world should not have thousands upon thousands turning up at food banks, there should not be a massive pool of working poor.

You are only guessing about what Corbyn would have done, he could not have made a bigger mess of the response to covid, my dog could have done better and he's not a racist nor does he consort and protect russian oligarchs.

[wabtec]

So SidneyRover who probably voted to install one of the biggest antisemites in the country into the office of PM,voted to give Diane abbott the job as chancellor with her mathmatical skills,and probably Emily thornberry into the cabinet who hates the English flag aand the people who are proud of it.He cannot accept that the people voted for Brexit a typical leftie who only believes in Democracy when it suits him,and he thinks the country is in a mess because the present government does not suit him.As has been predicted the next Labour prime minister has not been born yet.

[Campsall rover]

Not pursuing this any further.

Off topic. If you want to pursue it with Hound and BB etc.

I have an important date at Headingley watching Yorkshire make the biggest turn round in Roses history.

He says hopefully. 

[Axholme Lion]

As far as i can see the only people who have divided the country over race in the past year have been BLM.
BLM, the desecrators of war memorials, anti police, anti capitalist, white haters who want to destroy our way of life. Hopefully when we are allowed back in to stadia the boos will ring out for any idiots taking the knee to support them. Keep politics out of sport.

[Glyn_Wigley]

As far as i can see the only people who have divided the country over race in the past year have been BLM.
BLM, the desecrators of war memorials, anti police, anti capitalist, white haters who want to destroy our way of life. Hopefully when we are allowed back in to stadia the boos will ring out for any idiots taking the knee to support them. Keep politics out of sport.

Good to see you condemning the Football Lads for bringing  politics into sport.

[sha66y]

As far as i can see the only people who have divided the country over race in the past year have been BLM.
BLM, the desecrators of war memorials, anti police, anti capitalist, white haters who want to destroy our way of life. Hopefully when we are allowed back in to stadia the boos will ring out for any idiots taking the knee to support them. Keep politics out of sport.

Good to see you condemning the Football Lads for bringing  politics into sport.

He is kinda right though! ….but like has been said, this should be in off topic!

[SydneyRover]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

[sha66y]

And going back to the “ good read”
Yes it was a great read…..,
but there are thousands of unsung unpaid charity workers of all ethnicities working tirelessly without the financial resources or safety net of a professional footballer,

I would think super high salaries linked to lower than standard hours worked would get the guilt juices flowing a bit, because I know if I earned over 2K a week for let’s say 12 hard hours and 12 easier hours ….I would want to put something back…..

But yes it is a great read to know that multi millionaires didn’t and aren’t having it too easy….

[sha66y]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

Me?
I’m not sure your words correlate with the statement! Sorry!

[Colemans Left Hook]

i suspected this wasnt new in totality at least

so i googled the luke shaw bit and found this  as you can see the luke shaw bit at lease was around in December 2019
and i saw it on a liberal democrat posting
yesterday years ago


https://m.facebook.com › posts
Translate this page
4 Dec 2019 — This is England: Luke Shaw, who when playing for Southampton watched Liverpool players file unseeingly past two small boys waiting for their ...

[Axholme Lion]

As far as i can see the only people who have divided the country over race in the past year have been BLM.
BLM, the desecrators of war memorials, anti police, anti capitalist, white haters who want to destroy our way of life. Hopefully when we are allowed back in to stadia the boos will ring out for any idiots taking the knee to support them. Keep politics out of sport.

Good to see you condemning the Football Lads for bringing  politics into sport.

Yes. Keep the politics out of it. I don't go to watch football to be lectured by anyone either from the left or the right and especially by footballers who are well known for their intelligence...

[SydneyRover]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

Me?
I’m not sure your words correlate with the statement! Sorry!

you don't have to apologise shaggy, but you have just agreed to what AL wrote, which why I replied as I did, blm is trying to bring attention to the fact that black people do not have equal rights in their own country is all. Why shouldn't they use all avenues open to them to be regarded as equal, and why shouldn't those that can support them do so in any way they can.

[Axholme Lion]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

When i'm paying good money to watch a game of football that is what i expect to see. The players are extremely well paid to do a job and that is what they should do. If they want to lecture people they should hire a meeting hall and do it in their spare time, not force their opinions down my throat. Can you imagine if a huge section of the crowd held up the start of a game to hold a political protest? It's exactly the same thing.

[SydneyRover]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

When i'm paying good money to watch a game of football that is what i expect to see. The players are extremely well paid to do a job and that is what they should do. If they want to lecture people they should hire a meeting hall and do it in their spare time, not force their opinions down my throat. Can you imagine if a huge section of the crowd held up the start of a game to hold a political protest? It's exactly the same thing.

All you have to do is make a stand up for your principles and not go.

[Axholme Lion]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

Me?
I’m not sure your words correlate with the statement! Sorry!

you don't have to apologise shaggy, but you have just agreed to what AL wrote, which why I replied as I did, blm is trying to bring attention to the fact that black people do not have equal rights in their own country is all. Why shouldn't they use all avenues open to them to be regarded as equal, and why shouldn't those that can support them do so in any way they can.

If you're happy for them to take the knee you should be equally happy for me to use the avenue open to me which is to boo to show my disagreement, unless you're saying only opinions are allowed which you agree with?

[Axholme Lion]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

When i'm paying good money to watch a game of football that is what i expect to see. The players are extremely well paid to do a job and that is what they should do. If they want to lecture people they should hire a meeting hall and do it in their spare time, not force their opinions down my throat. Can you imagine if a huge section of the crowd held up the start of a game to hold a political protest? It's exactly the same thing.

Why should i not support my club? The supporters are the club, not some here today gone tomorrow footballer. The clubs need to remember who pays the wages and calls the shots.
All you have to do is make a stand up for your principles and not go.

[SydneyRover]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

When i'm paying good money to watch a game of football that is what i expect to see. The players are extremely well paid to do a job and that is what they should do. If they want to lecture people they should hire a meeting hall and do it in their spare time, not force their opinions down my throat. Can you imagine if a huge section of the crowd held up the start of a game to hold a political protest? It's exactly the same thing.

Why should i not support my club? The supporters are the club, not some here today gone tomorrow footballer. The clubs need to remember who pays the wages and calls the shots.
All you have to do is make a stand up for your principles and not go.

If you send me a pm with your details I'll write to your club and ask them if they are happy with you booing and if they still want your support.

[SydneyRover]

''Millwall vow to 'be force for good' after fans booed players taking a knee''

''Millwall have vowed to work with anti-racism charities “to be a force for good” after widespread condemnation of some of their supporters’ decision to boo players taking a knee before their home defeat to Derby on Saturday.

The fallout from the incident at the Den continued on Sunday, with environment secretary George Eustice accused of “providing shelter to racists” after failing to condemn their actions, while Derby’s interim manager Wayne Rooney said supporters should not “tolerate or accept” the actions of “mindless” fans who take part in discriminatory behaviour''

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/06/millwall-dismayed-and-saddened-by-fans-booing-as-players-take-a-knee

[Axholme Lion]

so black people should just shut up and play football, is that what you are saying?

When i'm paying good money to watch a game of football that is what i expect to see. The players are extremely well paid to do a job and that is what they should do. If they want to lecture people they should hire a meeting hall and do it in their spare time, not force their opinions down my throat. Can you imagine if a huge section of the crowd held up the start of a game to hold a political protest? It's exactly the same thing.

Why should i not support my club? The supporters are the club, not some here today gone tomorrow footballer. The clubs need to remember who pays the wages and calls the shots.
All you have to do is make a stand up for your principles and not go.

If you send me a pm with your details I'll write to your club and ask them if they are happy with you booing and if they still want your support.

Don't bother. It's already been sorted. Wall don't take the knee, we the supporters let them know how we felt and the club stopped it happening. We got our own way.

[SydneyRover]

''By stopping players taking the knee, Millwall have handed racists a victory''

''In researching my book about the history of racism in football, a question I asked every player I spoke to was, “where were the most hostile places for a black professional?” In almost all cases, Millwall’s ground was on the list. Spitting, monkey chants and banana throwing were part of the experience of black players 30 or 40 years ago: so, while booing the taking of a knee might to some represent progress, in other ways it seems little has changed''

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/10/stopping-players-taking-the-knee-millwall-racists-victory

[Axholme Lion]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc1MlKXfrqA

[Axholme Lion]

''By stopping players taking the knee, Millwall have handed racists a victory''

''In researching my book about the history of racism in football, a question I asked every player I spoke to was, “where were the most hostile places for a black professional?” In almost all cases, Millwall’s ground was on the list. Spitting, monkey chants and banana throwing were part of the experience of black players 30 or 40 years ago: so, while booing the taking of a knee might to some represent progress, in other ways it seems little has changed''

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/10/stopping-players-taking-the-knee-millwall-racists-victory

If you're going to go back 30-40 years why don't you look at every other club in the country where similar things happened. Racist stuff that happened decades ago has nothing to do with booing the knee and you know it. What happened years ago is history and we have all moved on from that.