The Neville brothers were outstanding youth cricketers. Phil captained England Schools and was offered a contract by Lancashire. Flintoff called him a "cricketing genius". Gary played alongside Matthew Hayden.
Knocked into a cocked hat by Max Woosnam.
“ Among his achievements were winning an Olympic gold and silver in tennis at the 1920 Summer Olympics,[6] winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920–21, and captaining the England national football team.[7]”
Edit to add he had a fall out with his friend Charlie Chaplin, who fancied himself as a table tennis player, by beating him whilst using a butter knife with Chaplin using a bat.
I was trying to decide the most implausible Winter Olympics participant country. I think it's between Singapore and Guinea Bissau. Trinidad and Tobago at least has some mountains, even if not snowy ones.
Guinea Bissau had Eric the Eel (who I met in a bar there once). He couldn't really swim either, but buy him a drink and he'd give the ski jump a go....
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
I idolised Brian Moore when I was a teenager, mostly thanks to "Arsenal come streaming forward now in what must surely be their last attack. A good ball from Dixon, finding Smith, for Thomas, charging through the midfield, Thomas, it's up for grabs now... THOMAS!!! Right at the end! An unbelievable climax to the league season."
Pat Nevin was the guest on Countdown a little while ago. Normally when a sportsperson is on, I fast forward when they do their piece as they are seldom interesting and usually just bore on about diet, etc. But Pat Nevin's anecdotes were fascinating.
I really like the bit he does with Colin Murray on Murray’s Sunday morning R5 show about football anthems and their history
According to A I Polly Toynbee is still writing for the Guardian. I don't read it but it I have to say i haven't seen anything posted on here by her in a long time. Is she just so.last year?
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Footballers aren't lacking in educational qualifications because they're not intelligent, it's because their clubs don't value their education
Yes, there'll be lots of intelligent footballers. A levels and uni aren't the route. Plus it's still a working class sport compared to most others so the pressure and expectation to pursue higher education isn't as strong in any case.
Anyone who plays football at a high level is extremely intelligent, I would have thought that is obvious just from watching five minutes of a game.
Phil Neale was a solid cricketer for Worcestershire and played soccer for Lincoln City.
Worcester also had Ted Helmsley who played for Sheffield United and Paul Pridgeon who played for Stourbridge in non league and in a Welsh Cup Final for them.
You’re quite right
Also wasnt John Inchmore a decent non league player ?
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
Dont forget perhaps the best in any sport - Buncey in boxing.
My list is by no means exhaustive, and I would certainly agree on Steve Bunce, who incidentally is good on other sports too. For example, he commentated brilliantly on Judo at the Olympics.
My point is (and it really baffles me) that I cannot name a single outstanding football commentator. (I'm not counting expert assistant commentators, such as Nevin, of which there are many who are very good.)
BBC Commentators back in the day were the best. Football commentators Motty and Davies. Compare and contrast with the shouty Vicky Sparkes. As far as analysts go, a young Andy Gray in the Boot Room was football analysis at its best. Shame he turned into a disgusting misogynist with Keys.
The BBC's most adept commentator was Peter Allis and before him the wonderful Henry Longhurst. Although in later years Allis went all Faragey. I really liked Richie Benaud too, and before him Jim Laker. Those w ere the days.
I never understood what people saw in Bill McLaren. Eddie Butler a generation later was miles better, and Jiffy is a very good analyst. Much better than Brian "England 'til I die" Moore. And I couldn't stand Ian "England 'til I die, even though I am a Scot" Robertson.
I was trying to decide the most implausible Winter Olympics participant country. I think it's between Singapore and Guinea Bissau. Trinidad and Tobago at least has some mountains, even if not snowy ones.
Haiti are there. Spectacular costumes but not many medals.
The Neville brothers were outstanding youth cricketers. Phil captained England Schools and was offered a contract by Lancashire. Flintoff called him a "cricketing genius". Gary played alongside Matthew Hayden.
Knocked into a cocked hat by Max Woosnam.
“ Among his achievements were winning an Olympic gold and silver in tennis at the 1920 Summer Olympics,[6] winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920–21, and captaining the England national football team.[7]”
Edit to add he had a fall out with his friend Charlie Chaplin, who fancied himself as a table tennis player, by beating him whilst using a butter knife with Chaplin using a bat.
The Neville brothers were outstanding youth cricketers. Phil captained England Schools and was offered a contract by Lancashire. Flintoff called him a "cricketing genius". Gary played alongside Matthew Hayden.
Knocked into a cocked hat by Max Woosnam.
“ Among his achievements were winning an Olympic gold and silver in tennis at the 1920 Summer Olympics,[6] winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920–21, and captaining the England national football team.[7]”
Edit to add he had a fall out with his friend Charlie Chaplin, who fancied himself as a table tennis player, by beating him whilst using a butter knife with Chaplin using a bat.
The Neville brothers were outstanding youth cricketers. Phil captained England Schools and was offered a contract by Lancashire. Flintoff called him a "cricketing genius". Gary played alongside Matthew Hayden.
Knocked into a cocked hat by Max Woosnam.
“ Among his achievements were winning an Olympic gold and silver in tennis at the 1920 Summer Olympics,[6] winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920–21, and captaining the England national football team.[7]”
Edit to add he had a fall out with his friend Charlie Chaplin, who fancied himself as a table tennis player, by beating him whilst using a butter knife with Chaplin using a bat.
Oh he was a scratch golfer too.
Did he drink Carling Black Label?
I’m guessing Carlsberg “if Carlsberg made sportsmen”…
PICTURED: Liz Truss meets with Donald Trump at his golf course in Palm Beach
Liz Truss meets elderly head of state with injured hand.
BRACE!
Oddly, Liz said recently she was starting to play golf. So I suspect the meeting has been planned for some time, and perhaps she even interviewed him for her Youtube programme.
Chris Balderstone played two tests in 1976. He also was signed by Bill Shankly for Huddersfield and played First Division at Carlisle in a twenty year career. From wiki.
"Balderstone made history on 15 September 1975 by taking part in a County Championship match and a Football League game on the same day. Balderstone was 51 not out against Derbyshire at the end of day two of Leicestershire's match at Chesterfield. After close of play he changed into his football kit to play for Doncaster Rovers in an evening match 30 miles away (a 1–1 draw with Brentford). He then returned to Chesterfield the following morning to complete a century and take three wickets to help wrap up Leicestershire's first ever County Championship title."
His sporting career was astonishing. A capable professional footballer, and all-rounder cricketer, with a very decent batting and bowling average.
Phil Neale was a solid cricketer for Worcestershire and played soccer for Lincoln City.
Worcester also had Ted Helmsley who played for Sheffield United and Paul Pridgeon who played for Stourbridge in non league and in a Welsh Cup Final for them.
You’re quite right
Also wasnt John Inchmore a decent non league player ?
Not sure about Inch, I think he was a teacher.
Another pair of quickscand keepers Jim Coombes Worcester and Baggies and Steve Ogrizovic played Minor counties
You people taking the piss out of the downhill should look up footage of Innsbruck 76 and Franz Klammer shooting down the slope to a cacophony of noise in his yellow catsuit to win gold for Austria. It's one of sport's all time moments.
I skived the afternoon off school to watch that.
Unforgettable
An Italian produced a great ski and Klammer had huge pressure on him.
He skied down like an absolute mad man it was astounding sport.
One of my favourite sporting moments ever.
Perhaps only surpassed by the Baa Baas try v All Blacks at Cardiff
But it didn't feature David Duckham who was the best player on the day.
Phil Neale was a solid cricketer for Worcestershire and played soccer for Lincoln City.
Worcester also had Ted Helmsley who played for Sheffield United and Paul Pridgeon who played for Stourbridge in non league and in a Welsh Cup Final for them.
You’re quite right
Also wasnt John Inchmore a decent non league player ?
Not sure about Inch, I think he was a teacher.
Another pair of quickscand keepers Jim Coombes Worcester and Baggies and Steve Ogrizovic played Minor counties
Arsenal and Brighton's Steve Gatting (Mike's brother) was on the books at Middlesex although not a first teamer.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
It's just so over the top. Like, I'd get if she genuinely likes Trump as a person and a leader (I'd disagree, but I'd get it), but 'right about everything' whilst sucking up for a photo? How lucrative is the american podcast circuit?
Farage likes Trump too and he doesn't gush so blatantly.
As former PBer and postcard-from-the-pub writer @SeanT used to fussily point out, "everybody lives online these days". If you live online, you stop aligning with your nationality and start aligning with your affinity group. When that happens you become detached from your nation-state and, if that is then combined with an algorithmic feed, you will become increasingly radicalised into, and believe the most extreme/ridiculous beliefs of, that affinity group. At the extreme the individual will starting acting against the interest of their co-nationals and nation-state whist claiming they represent the *real* nation.
This happens an awful lot and former PM Truss manifests some of the worst aspects. I think she genuinely thinks she's a member of this new virtual mid-atlantic right-wing group, as opposed to a small remora who can be detached from the big fuckoff bitey sharks whenever they like.
That doesn't just apply to Truss, it applies to us all - me included, and you included. We live in our own truths. Truss's truth is that politics is about a battle between right wingers and progressives - a group which she sees herself and her political career as a victim of (with some justification), and that she sees Trump as a powerful warrior against. It happens that her truth is far removed from what passes for truth with most PBers, but that doesn't make her wrong, it simply means that truth is many-sided.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
You missed the most unambgious example of Trump being wrong. He said that Starmer has "done a very good job".
Now I might be a cantankerous old fuck but the amount of tweets that get put up here with zero context is amazing. Obvs know who Lucy Powell is and care very little but so many people put tweets on here where you are obliged to go onto X - which I won’t do.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
You people taking the piss out of the downhill should look up footage of Innsbruck 76 and Franz Klammer shooting down the slope to a cacophony of noise in his yellow catsuit to win gold for Austria. It's one of sport's all time moments.
I skived the afternoon off school to watch that.
Unforgettable
An Italian produced a great ski and Klammer had huge pressure on him.
He skied down like an absolute mad man it was astounding sport.
One of my favourite sporting moments ever.
Perhaps only surpassed by the Baa Baas try v All Blacks at Cardiff
But it didn't feature David Duckham who was the best player on the day.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
What a muddled mess of an article. Championing opportunities for working class people isn't "class war", it's using the tools of government to lean ever so slightly against the natural tendency of the capitalist system and a society dominated by a privileged elite to crush them completely. That is the purpose of the Labour Party - the clue is in the fucking name, Matthew. And how ludicrous to label this as an example of class war while pretending that years of Tory austerity that fell hardest on the shoulders of the least well off and on working class areas wasn't. I suppose it is only class war when those at the bottom dare to fight back. When those at the top do it people like Parris would rather we simply accept it as the natural order of things.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
The Neville brothers were outstanding youth cricketers. Phil captained England Schools and was offered a contract by Lancashire. Flintoff called him a "cricketing genius". Gary played alongside Matthew Hayden.
Knocked into a cocked hat by Max Woosnam.
“ Among his achievements were winning an Olympic gold and silver in tennis at the 1920 Summer Olympics,[6] winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920–21, and captaining the England national football team.[7]”
Edit to add he had a fall out with his friend Charlie Chaplin, who fancied himself as a table tennis player, by beating him whilst using a butter knife with Chaplin using a bat.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
We have been happy for our politicians to stand next to Clinton and Gates, and unquestioningly endorse their politics on social media, with no thought to their motivations or their moral turpitude. It seems its only with Trump that we take issue.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
Someone should ask her if he is right to put tariffs on UK exports to USA.
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
Dont forget perhaps the best in any sport - Buncey in boxing.
My list is by no means exhaustive, and I would certainly agree on Steve Bunce, who incidentally is good on other sports too. For example, he commentated brilliantly on Judo at the Olympics.
My point is (and it really baffles me) that I cannot name a single outstanding football commentator. (I'm not counting expert assistant commentators, such as Nevin, of which there are many who are very good.)
At a bit of a tangent, the worst anchorman was Bob Wilson. So bad that Half Man, Half Biscuit wrote a song about it.
Lord, I'm trying the best i can I lost everybody in Khazakhstan But I still don't understand Bob Wilson, anchorman
I've been to Kent, Gwent, Senegal I've even been to look for Jim Rosenthal Found him on his knees at the wailing wall crying "Bob Wilson, anchorman"
Well I marvel at the things we find beneath the ground And that man can go faster than the speed of sound But I still can't get my head around Bob Wilson, anchorman
Well I'd like to meet Stevenson the engineer And I'd like to meet Faraday and buy him a beer And I'd love to meet the bloke who had the bright idea of Bob Wilson, anchorman
The BBC had a habit of persisting with bad anchormen. Do you remember Peter West?
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
I idolised Brian Moore when I was a teenager, mostly thanks to "Arsenal come streaming forward now in what must surely be their last attack. A good ball from Dixon, finding Smith, for Thomas, charging through the midfield, Thomas, it's up for grabs now... THOMAS!!! Right at the end! An unbelievable climax to the league season."
Moore was certainly one of the better soccer commentators, but not a great one. Motson was distinctly moderate, Barry Davies somewhere between him and Moore.
Now I might be a cantankerous old fuck but the amount of tweets that get put up here with zero context is amazing. Obvs know who Lucy Powell is and care very little but so many people put tweets on here where you are obliged to go onto X - which I won’t do.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
I assumed PBers would know that Lucy Powell is running the by-election campaign and that earlier on PB there had been much hilarity at photos of Matt Goodwin out campaigning in an open top car with a microphone.
Now I might be a cantankerous old fuck but the amount of tweets that get put up here with zero context is amazing. Obvs know who Lucy Powell is and care very little but so many people put tweets on here where you are obliged to go onto X - which I won’t do.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
I assumed PBers would know that Lucy Powell is running the by-election campaign and that earlier on PB there had been much hilarity at photos of Matt Goodwin out campaigning in an open top car with a microphone.
Is Union Divvie mocking someone's sartorial efforts what passes for 'much hilarity' these days?
Now I might be a cantankerous old fuck but the amount of tweets that get put up here with zero context is amazing. Obvs know who Lucy Powell is and care very little but so many people put tweets on here where you are obliged to go onto X - which I won’t do.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
I assumed PBers would know that Lucy Powell is running the by-election campaign and that earlier on PB there had been much hilarity at photos of Matt Goodwin out campaigning in an open top car with a microphone.
Sorry, it wasn’t really aimed at you, it was general about the lack of context when people post tweets. We don’t all love politics but we love this place so it can be a bit WTF are you on about about.
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
Dont forget perhaps the best in any sport - Buncey in boxing.
My list is by no means exhaustive, and I would certainly agree on Steve Bunce, who incidentally is good on other sports too. For example, he commentated brilliantly on Judo at the Olympics.
My point is (and it really baffles me) that I cannot name a single outstanding football commentator. (I'm not counting expert assistant commentators, such as Nevin, of which there are many who are very good.)
Alan Green for me, outstanding in all departments.
The late great Derek Lacey, who commentated for years for BBC Cumbria on Carlisle United was hugely loved, massively mourned at his death, had a cult following and was wonderfully bathetic and inaccurate, sometimes about the score, sometimes about which team had scored, sometimes not noticing that someone had scored, sometimes a bit vague about which teams were playing and so on. I miss him still, and he died 17 years ago.
I was actually going to mention Alan Greene as a very good soccer commentators, but still imo falling a little short of the truly legendary ones from other sports.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
Someone should ask her if he is right to put tariffs on UK exports to USA.
I would love to ask all the British politicians who've genuflected before St Obama whether they were in favour of him eviscerating a blue chip company which many UK pension funds were massively invested in, over an oil spill in which precisely no civilians were harmed. Interestingly we don't see many condemnations of those appearances - I suppose patriotic fervour amongs PBers has grown over the years.
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
Dont forget perhaps the best in any sport - Buncey in boxing.
My list is by no means exhaustive, and I would certainly agree on Steve Bunce, who incidentally is good on other sports too. For example, he commentated brilliantly on Judo at the Olympics.
My point is (and it really baffles me) that I cannot name a single outstanding football commentator. (I'm not counting expert assistant commentators, such as Nevin, of which there are many who are very good.)
Alan Green for me, outstanding in all departments.
The late great Derek Lacey, who commentated for years for BBC Cumbria on Carlisle United was hugely loved, massively mourned at his death, had a cult following and was wonderfully bathetic and inaccurate, sometimes about the score, sometimes about which team had scored, sometimes not noticing that someone had scored, sometimes a bit vague about which teams were playing and so on. I miss him still, and he died 17 years ago.
I was actually going to mention Alan Greene as a very good soccer commentators, but still imo falling a little short of the truly legendary ones from other sports.
I think it was Alan Green when Didier Drogba won the Champions Leaague for Chelsea. “Come on Didier!” No hint of impartiality…
Now I might be a cantankerous old fuck but the amount of tweets that get put up here with zero context is amazing. Obvs know who Lucy Powell is and care very little but so many people put tweets on here where you are obliged to go onto X - which I won’t do.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
I assumed PBers would know that Lucy Powell is running the by-election campaign and that earlier on PB there had been much hilarity at photos of Matt Goodwin out campaigning in an open top car with a microphone.
Sorry, it wasn’t really aimed at you, it was general about the lack of context when people post tweets. We don’t all love politics but we love this place so it can be a bit WTF are you on about about.
I always prefer at least a line if possible - do people like the tweeted context, agree with it, find it amusing, what?
Now I might be a cantankerous old fuck but the amount of tweets that get put up here with zero context is amazing. Obvs know who Lucy Powell is and care very little but so many people put tweets on here where you are obliged to go onto X - which I won’t do.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
I assumed PBers would know that Lucy Powell is running the by-election campaign and that earlier on PB there had been much hilarity at photos of Matt Goodwin out campaigning in an open top car with a microphone.
Sorry, it wasn’t really aimed at you, it was general about the lack of context when people post tweets. We don’t all love politics but we love this place so it can be a bit WTF are you on about about.
Duly noted. I probably spend too much time here or on X to be honest!!
Now I might be a cantankerous old fuck but the amount of tweets that get put up here with zero context is amazing. Obvs know who Lucy Powell is and care very little but so many people put tweets on here where you are obliged to go onto X - which I won’t do.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
I assumed PBers would know that Lucy Powell is running the by-election campaign and that earlier on PB there had been much hilarity at photos of Matt Goodwin out campaigning in an open top car with a microphone.
Sorry, it wasn’t really aimed at you, it was general about the lack of context when people post tweets. We don’t all love politics but we love this place so it can be a bit WTF are you on about about.
I always prefer at least a line if possible - do people like the tweeted context, agree with it, find it amusing, what?
But also “this tweet matters because this person has authority from x”. I’m sure everyone could retweet on here from a self-selecting group who are saying what they agree with but if they are irrelevant then it is pointless.
Very rare visit up home for Birmingham v Leeds FA Cup Tie.
Cracking game Cracking atmosphere boosted by Leeds having full Away end Best side lost but no complaints as goals win the game
But massive credit to a Referee who let the game flow, made all the right calls and did it with a smile.
I think football fans thought VAR would be the same as the tv replays the pundits look at, and the bloopers, like those at Villa Park and The Etihad yesterday, would be obvious and sorted out quickly.
Instead we got absurdly granular decisions, offsides to the nearest millimetre, handball for anything that brushes a players arm, and endless delays that have killed the spectacle. They should just use the tv replays we all see and if it’s not clear wave play on
Or just get rid
The idea behind VAR is to prevent clear and obvious errors. If an offside has to be measured with a micrometer then it is not "clear and obvious". No VAR decision should take more than seconds, and it can work that way, for example at the Qatar World Cup.
That said, I am not missing it in the Championship, despite the abysmal decline of my team.
They should change offside so as long as a part of the attacking player is in line with the last defender than it’s good. Would increase the number of goals.
Careful about that, though, increasing the number of goals. Football's appeal (in addition to the strong possibility of rank unfairness) relies on goals being rare events. You don't want it getting like basketball. High scoring games with the best team always winning.
Before VAR the laws gave no assistance in clarifying what 'level' actually meant in connection with offside. It was simply left to the discretion of referees. The precision of the new technology enabled hairline decisions to be made with extreme accuracy, but the authorities were characteristically slow to give any clarification to officials as to whether 'level' meant the arms, the legs, any part of the body or the central mass, or whatever. The result was that widely different and contradictory interpretations applied from game to game. They are starting to sort this out a bit now but they are slow learners and it will be a while yet before we get a sensible all-purpose definition. My own recommendation would be to use the feet, since that would be relatively easy to apply, and kind of makes sense.
I suspect the authorities will just blunder on for a while yet, making it up as they go along (just as they did with 'clear and obvious error' and other basic aspects of VAR.)
Yes, they'll get there but it's not there yet. A match the other week, team wins the ball near its own corner flag and launch a fluid sweeping move up the entire field, 5 players involved, culminating in a final precision pass and a cool as you like finish. Joyous bit of football. The beautiful game. But hang on, what's this? It's VAR. Minutes pass then the verdict. Disallowed because the ball when they first won it was about half an inch out of play. Should have been a throw in.
Yes, I saw that. It was ridiculous.
They really should suspend VAR temporarily while they go off and decide how they want it to be used, and educate their officials accordingly. They can then bring it back when it is all sorted. Might take six months or more, but nobody would miss it in the interim. Then when it returns it might actually be an asset rather than the drag it is at the moment.
They've been winging it ever since it was introduced with the result that the system has been discredited, which is a shame because the technology is good and the overall intention is a worthy one.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Sophistry about Trump, and I think your theology is wrong. The Virgin Mary was also without sin.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Sophistry about Trump, and I think your theology is wrong. The Virgin Mary was also without sin.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Sophistry about Trump, and I think your theology is wrong. The Virgin Mary was also without sin.
Joseph may have taken a different view once she started showing.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Sophistry about Trump, and I think your theology is wrong. The Virgin Mary was also without sin.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
We have been happy for our politicians to stand next to Clinton and Gates, and unquestioningly endorse their politics on social media, with no thought to their motivations or their moral turpitude. It seems its only with Trump that we take issue.
Clinton only cheated on one wife. A jury found Trump had sexually assaulted one woman, and by implication the others who testified. Claims have been made against Clinton, but he’s not been found guilty of anything in a court. Clinton did not attempt a coup. I’m not aware of allegations of business or charity fraud against Clinton. Clinton is not a racist. Clinton did not walk in on under-16 year olds changing. Clinton never matched the level of lies Trump spews out. Clinton didn’t steal or hide top secret documents. Clinton distanced himself from Epstein before Trump did. Trump’s level of immorality is streets ahead of Clinton or Gates.
More importantly, I can’t recall a UK a politician tweeting “right about everything” about Bill Clinton. If they have, fine, criticise them for doing so.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
Someone should ask her if he is right to put tariffs on UK exports to USA.
I would love to ask all the British politicians who've genuflected before St Obama whether they were in favour of him eviscerating a blue chip company which many UK pension funds were massively invested in, over an oil spill in which precisely no civilians were harmed. Interestingly we don't see many condemnations of those appearances - I suppose patriotic fervour amongs PBers has grown over the years.
An oil spill can be hugely damaging without directly harming any civilians. Just because you hate the natural world, doesn’t mean everyone else does!
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Sophistry about Trump, and I think your theology is wrong. The Virgin Mary was also without sin.
Is that not the logical consequence of assuming that Starmer is not going to make the election?
Yes, but everything has its price. I think there’s probably more than a 5% chance that Starmer hangs on, then Reform get most seats. Could be wrong though.
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
Dont forget perhaps the best in any sport - Buncey in boxing.
My list is by no means exhaustive, and I would certainly agree on Steve Bunce, who incidentally is good on other sports too. For example, he commentated brilliantly on Judo at the Olympics.
My point is (and it really baffles me) that I cannot name a single outstanding football commentator. (I'm not counting expert assistant commentators, such as Nevin, of which there are many who are very good.)
Well it's Motty and Barry Davies. A great moment from each:
"Look at his face, just look at his face"
"A quality goal from a quality player"
And then Coleman with his iconic deadpan call for the first goal in any match if it came from the team who were dominating ...
"One nil"
Unfortunately Coleman is more likely to be remembered for his commentary during the Olympic athletics finals: 'And Juantorina opens his legs and shows his class.'
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
Dont forget perhaps the best in any sport - Buncey in boxing.
My list is by no means exhaustive, and I would certainly agree on Steve Bunce, who incidentally is good on other sports too. For example, he commentated brilliantly on Judo at the Olympics.
My point is (and it really baffles me) that I cannot name a single outstanding football commentator. (I'm not counting expert assistant commentators, such as Nevin, of which there are many who are very good.)
Well it's Motty and Barry Davies. A great moment from each:
"Look at his face, just look at his face"
"A quality goal from a quality player"
And then Coleman with his iconic deadpan call for the first goal in any match if it came from the team who were dominating ...
"One nil"
Unfortunately Coleman is more likely to be remembered for his commentary during the Olympic athletics finals: 'And Juantorina opens his legs and shows his class.'
"There is no doubt, she'll probably qualify for the final."
The previous Larry is in a farm in Wales. He plays all day alongside all the other cats and kittens, enjoying good food and sleeps often, and I WILL BROOK NO DISAGREEMENT ON THIS.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
She will say it’s fake news.
Some of it is fake news. He didn't attempt a coup - it was never a coup in any accepted sense of the word. He inflamed a riot. Very damaging in many ways, but calling it a coup is simply innaccurate and undermines the case against him.
I am sure that there are other claims here that can also be disputed, but as I said, Truss is talking about the big political calls. With a slightly more intelligent crowd here that might have resulted in a debate about those calls, and whether indeed he has got them right. However, here it has resulted in calls for Truss to be banned from something, which seems to be par for the course here when certain people come across a view they don't agree with.
If people object to the word coup, leave it out, but it is not always taken literally, and there are things like palace coups and self coups which demonstrate it can be used broadly. Trump through a variety of means, many of which were probably not legal (unfortunately the court cases never came to trial), tried to overthrow the legal transfer of power despite losing an election, which many would reasonably call a coup, just not a military style coup. I don't think it is the best word to use, but it's not inherently silly either.
It does look like the next couple of decades are going to be shaped by major attempts to unwind the perceived wrong kind of migration, with very ugly consequences.
Of course, Elon Musk's ignorance about the multicultural economic zone created by the Act of Union, and it's subsequent success, is a given.
The voters in Gorton and Denton are not imprisoned within the constituency boundaries, and it's just possible that some of them might venture into the centre of Manchester on a weekend.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Sophistry about Trump, and I think your theology is wrong. The Virgin Mary was also without sin.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Thanks for the clarification. I often confuse Donald Trump and Jesus, but no more.
We have been happy for our politicians to stand next to Clinton and Gates, and unquestioningly endorse their politics on social media, with no thought to their motivations or their moral turpitude. It seems its only with Trump that we take issue.
Clinton only cheated on one wife. A jury found Trump had sexually assaulted one woman, and by implication the others who testified. Claims have been made against Clinton, but he’s not been found guilty of anything in a court. Clinton did not attempt a coup. I’m not aware of allegations of business or charity fraud against Clinton. Clinton is not a racist. Clinton did not walk in on under-16 year olds changing. Clinton never matched the level of lies Trump spews out. Clinton didn’t steal or hide top secret documents. Clinton distanced himself from Epstein before Trump did. Trump’s level of immorality is streets ahead of Clinton or Gates.
More importantly, I can’t recall a UK a politician tweeting “right about everything” about Bill Clinton. If they have, fine, criticise them for doing so.
This whatabout Clinton stuff is crap. If there's evidence he distillates in criminal activity, then investigated him too.
And the idea that UK politicians are beating an oath to his door is nonsense. Farage/Trump is rather different, of course, as is the longstanding and continuing engagement of Epstein associated Steve Bannon with the right wing in both Europe and the UK.
If people object to the word coup, leave it out, but it is not always taken literally, and there are things like palace coups and self coups which demonstrate it can be used broadly. Trump through a variety of means, many of which were probably not legal (unfortunately the court cases never came to trial), tried to overthrow the legal transfer of power despite losing an election, which many would reasonably call a coup, just not a military style coup. I don't think it is the best word to use, but it's not inherently silly either.
A coup is an illegal seizure of power, the attempt of which is exactly what was alleged against Trump. (It need not involve direct force; indeed successful coups try to avoid that.)
Jack Smith's evidence to Congress set out the case against him. It is deeply unfortunate that it never gug the chance to go before a court.
The voters in Gorton and Denton are not imprisoned within the constituency boundaries, and it's just possible that some of them might venture into the centre of Manchester on a weekend.
Oh, entirely possible. However it does raise the question about why didn't he know he was in the wrong place...
In the professional era, sheer size of population and potential player pool is beginning to dominate, in rugby
For decades much smaller countries could, in various ways, punch above their weight
All blacks were the obvious example, but also wales and latterly Ireland
But now the biggest teams are the biggest countries. South Africa, France, England,
Italy rising. Argentina. Japan too
Australia somewhere in the middle
It’s a shame, as rugby was an exception to the law of bigness
I recall being in Jamaica on late 90s.
Not long after Reggae Boyz got to WC98
A few locals told me it would kill Cricket as young lads who were already starting to go to US Colleges for Track and Field scholarships would play soccer too.
The great Welsh teams were honed in the Mines and Steel works.
Gatland fused a side for a decade that punched way above their weight
Maladministration hasn't helped.
So who are all these top level Caribbean athletes and footballers who would have been international cricketers ?
Actual names.
Given how specialised top level sport is now plus how much more money there is in cricket compared with the last century the numbers lost is more probably minimal to zero.
I think the problem is that a lot of good West Indian athletes/sportsmen get picked up for sports scholarships in the US. It’s attractive to them as they get a good uni place and the potential for top class coaching on track and often get sidelined into American football.
Now they might not “make it” but if they have been focussed away from cricket from 16 to early 20s even if they were good cricketers that’s a lot of lost development time and very hard to switch back.
If you can run a crazy 100m time and you are well built run the potential to earn millions a year in American football is probably more a temptation than taking a risk on cricket where the pay and sponsorship will never come close and the employment numbers are lower in cricket.
But I’m not sure this is true. You can make millions in T20 cricket. Indeed it’s probably easier to do it in cricket than in ultra competitive NFL -or basketball where you need to be a physical freak in size
True, but for a lot of 16 year olds, when they have to really start specialising and considering future options if someone from UCLA is scouting you for a track scholarship where you will end up with a good step up the ladder or you have to hope you are one of the cricketers who will be great enough to get the big contracts, a lot will choose the former - totally understandably.
I had friends at school who were scouted by top division football clubs and asked to join but turned it down because their plans were becoming lawyers or bankers etc because it was something they knew they would do well in and benefit financially long term whereas lots of young players disappear and then you’ve thrown away a life career. I know it’s not the same situation but it’s a major consideration for young people and parents.
I think the number of Premier League footballers who might have been top lawyers or bankers is a select band
of ZERO
ISTR Martin O Neil studied law at university
Pat Nevin has a degree and is clearly highly intelligent. Then there's Graham Le Saux who went to uni and would have graduated if it weren't for needing to get going with the pro football. He reads the Guardian and visits museums.
Nevin is a truly outstanding football commentator and is also worth listening to on subjects far removed from football. He doesn't actually do the main play commentaries though. He provides the supplementary comments brilliantly, but not the main description of the play which is given to others. I think this is a pity because he would probably be brilliant at that too, and certainly better than the usual main commentators, who are mostly moderate to poor.
It has often puzzled me that football has never had a great commentator (radio or tv). Every other main sport I can think of has its legends - Peter O'Sullivan, Bill McClaren, Richie Benaud, Murray Walker, Ted Lowe, Sid Waddell, Eammon Andrews and so on. Football? Nothing.
Maybe it's harder than I imagine, but I suspect the explanation is more mundane than that.
Dont forget perhaps the best in any sport - Buncey in boxing.
My list is by no means exhaustive, and I would certainly agree on Steve Bunce, who incidentally is good on other sports too. For example, he commentated brilliantly on Judo at the Olympics.
My point is (and it really baffles me) that I cannot name a single outstanding football commentator. (I'm not counting expert assistant commentators, such as Nevin, of which there are many who are very good.)
Well it's Motty and Barry Davies. A great moment from each:
"Look at his face, just look at his face"
"A quality goal from a quality player"
And then Coleman with his iconic deadpan call for the first goal in any match if it came from the team who were dominating ...
"One nil"
Unfortunately Coleman is more likely to be remembered for his commentary during the Olympic athletics finals: 'And Juantorina opens his legs and shows his class.'
Coleman was certainly remembered for this in 1968:
"David Hemery wins for Britain, in second place is Hennige, who cares who's third, it doesn't matter".
Domestic violence suicides are already growing at such a rate that a woman in an abusive relationship is now more likely to take her own life than be killed by a partner.
But research into the number of women who take their own life in such circumstances has suggested official statistics could track as few as 6.5% of the true number of cases.
According to the Domestic Homicide Project, a programme led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), there were 98 suspected suicides following domestic abuse in 2024, compared with 80 intimate partner homicides.
But research by a suicide prevention programme in Kent found that about a third of all suspected suicides in the region between 2018 and 2024 were affected by domestic abuse.
If the numbers in Kent reflect the national picture, it could mean as many as 1,500 victims of domestic abuse are taking their own lives every year – up to 15 times as many as previously thought.
Tim Woodhouse, the programme manager and a University of Kent academic, who led the research, said: “We need some sort of national taskforce to get a grip on this.” He added that it was “bonkers that we are basing national estimates on one researcher’s evidence”...
Domestic violence suicides are already growing at such a rate that a woman in an abusive relationship is now more likely to take her own life than be killed by a partner.
But research into the number of women who take their own life in such circumstances has suggested official statistics could track as few as 6.5% of the true number of cases.
According to the Domestic Homicide Project, a programme led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), there were 98 suspected suicides following domestic abuse in 2024, compared with 80 intimate partner homicides.
But research by a suicide prevention programme in Kent found that about a third of all suspected suicides in the region between 2018 and 2024 were affected by domestic abuse.
If the numbers in Kent reflect the national picture, it could mean as many as 1,500 victims of domestic abuse are taking their own lives every year – up to 15 times as many as previously thought.
Tim Woodhouse, the programme manager and a University of Kent academic, who led the research, said: “We need some sort of national taskforce to get a grip on this.” He added that it was “bonkers that we are basing national estimates on one researcher’s evidence”...
I don’t want to engage in any whataboutery as this is tragic that these women feel there is no other option however stats for England and Wales for 2024 show over 4300 men killed themselves - one every two hours. In the mainstream it feels it’s somehow not important - I know two men in their 40s/50s who killed themselves last year, others over previous years.
Whilst this issue of abuse by men leading to suicide by women needs fixing so does the crazy level of suicide amongst middle aged men. Do they get a national task force set up?
If people object to the word coup, leave it out, but it is not always taken literally, and there are things like palace coups and self coups which demonstrate it can be used broadly. Trump through a variety of means, many of which were probably not legal (unfortunately the court cases never came to trial), tried to overthrow the legal transfer of power despite losing an election, which many would reasonably call a coup, just not a military style coup. I don't think it is the best word to use, but it's not inherently silly either.
A coup is an illegal seizure of power, the attempt of which is exactly what was alleged against Trump. (It need not involve direct force; indeed successful coups try to avoid that.)
Jack Smith's evidence to Congress set out the case against him. It is deeply unfortunate that it never gug the chance to go before a court.
Trump has enacted an autogolpe in his second term, so arguments about Jan 6th are irrelevant. The.Democrats had 4 years to reverse at least some of the preparation for it and were criminally complacent.
Any response Kemi? Last time I looked Truss was still a member.
Indeed.
She needs expelling.
Has the Leader a backbone.
Why would the Tories expel someone for being photographed with Trump and posting the caption 'right about everything'?
Genuinely puzzled.
Is Truss saying Trump was right to...
- commit business fraud - sexually assault multiple women - attempt a coup in 2021 - withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens - practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity - post a racist video of the Obamas - cheat on his first wife - cheat on his second wife - cheat on his third wife - discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s - walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old - lie to customers of Trump University - make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets - pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests - claim Mexico would pay for the wall - take and try to hide top secret documents - repeatedly lie about electoral fraud - set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
Truss said 'right about everything', she did not say 'has lived a blameless life'. Only Jesus did that.
Sophistry about Trump, and I think your theology is wrong. The Virgin Mary was also without sin.
Joseph may have taken a different view once she started showing.
That's my easy (and unapproved by OFSTED) way to remember the planets. Mary's Virginity Explanation Made Joseph Suspect Upstairs Neighbour.
The previous Larry is in a farm in Wales. He plays all day alongside all the other cats and kittens, enjoying good food and sleeps often, and I WILL BROOK NO DISAGREEMENT ON THIS.
This is how all cats spend their later - infinite - years. This is 99.9% of PURE FACT.
0.01% spend their time in a farm on the The Western Isles. Just to stop triggering any cybernats.
Proliferation of lots of small nuclear reactiors seem like one of those things that can only be a bad idea.
I'm a fan of nuclear power, but the risks of a nasty accident are probably proportional to the number of reactors in service. Given that potential accident severity doesn't really scale with reactor size, I'd much rather build a few big nukes that lots of little ones.
Domestic violence suicides are already growing at such a rate that a woman in an abusive relationship is now more likely to take her own life than be killed by a partner.
But research into the number of women who take their own life in such circumstances has suggested official statistics could track as few as 6.5% of the true number of cases.
According to the Domestic Homicide Project, a programme led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), there were 98 suspected suicides following domestic abuse in 2024, compared with 80 intimate partner homicides.
But research by a suicide prevention programme in Kent found that about a third of all suspected suicides in the region between 2018 and 2024 were affected by domestic abuse.
If the numbers in Kent reflect the national picture, it could mean as many as 1,500 victims of domestic abuse are taking their own lives every year – up to 15 times as many as previously thought.
Tim Woodhouse, the programme manager and a University of Kent academic, who led the research, said: “We need some sort of national taskforce to get a grip on this.” He added that it was “bonkers that we are basing national estimates on one researcher’s evidence”...
I don’t want to engage in any whataboutery as this is tragic that these women feel there is no other option however stats for England and Wales for 2024 show over 4300 men killed themselves - one every two hours. In the mainstream it feels it’s somehow not important - I know two men in their 40s/50s who killed themselves last year, others over previous years.
Whilst this issue of abuse by men leading to suicide by women needs fixing so does the crazy level of suicide amongst middle aged men. Do they get a national task force set up?
It doesn't sound much like a task force has been set up; more that someone has had a look at the numbers and decided more research is necessary.
In any event, we're talking about two quite different things.
Regarding male suicide, the government did do something last year (also not a task force).
The only class war being waged right now is by billionaires on the rest of us.
In what sense? Billionaires create jobs, products and services. It is elected governments that set tax and spending rates and make laws not them
Oh. The incessant propaganda they fund to influence those governments and laws. It isn't kindness or altruism towards the less fortunate that motivates them.
Comments
“ Among his achievements were winning an Olympic gold and silver in tennis at the 1920 Summer Olympics,[6] winning the doubles at Wimbledon, compiling a 147 break in snooker, making a century at Lord's Cricket Ground, captaining the British Davis Cup team, captaining Manchester City F.C. finishing ultimately runners-up for the Football League Championship in 1920–21, and captaining the England national football team.[7]”
Edit to add he had a fall out with his friend Charlie Chaplin, who fancied himself as a table tennis player, by beating him whilst using a butter knife with Chaplin using a bat.
(There's a name drop!!)
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/09/who-is-my-wife-martin-rowson-ai-technology?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Also wasnt John Inchmore a decent non league player ?
The BBC's most adept commentator was Peter Allis and before him the wonderful Henry Longhurst. Although in later years Allis went all Faragey. I really liked Richie Benaud too, and before him Jim Laker. Those w ere the days.
I never understood what people saw in Bill McLaren. Eddie Butler a generation later was miles better, and Jiffy is a very good analyst. Much better than Brian "England 'til I die" Moore. And I couldn't stand Ian "England 'til I die, even though I am a Scot" Robertson.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/13/haiti-winter-olympics-ski-uniform-redesigned-ioc-guidelines?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
https://www.thetimes.com/article/3d753d45-b3be-40d7-b6f0-e0b087602b20?shareToken=0d960e25e0d4e86ce65409c731a05131
Another pair of quickscand keepers Jim Coombes Worcester and Baggies and Steve Ogrizovic played Minor counties
The final try did though have two Duckham runs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_2CuPxwm7k
- commit business fraud
- sexually assault multiple women
- attempt a coup in 2021
- withhold aid from Ukraine because they wouldn't manufacture evidence against the Bidens
- practiced self-dealing and tax evasion with his charity
- post a racist video of the Obamas
- cheat on his first wife
- cheat on his second wife
- cheat on his third wife
- discriminate against Black tenants in the '70s
- walk unannounced into the changing rooms at beauty pageants, including for teen events down to 14 years old
- lie to customers of Trump University
- make up stories about Haitian immigrants eating pets
- pardoned people who then pumped millions of dollars into his business interests
- claim Mexico would pay for the wall
- take and try to hide top secret documents
- repeatedly lie about electoral fraud
- set the Department of Justice on his political opponents
OK, I'm bored of typing now... so, yeah, is it appropriate for Truss to endorse these actions? Shouldn't the Tories stand for stuff like obeying the law?
@LucyMPowell
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1h
Like I enjoyed you driving your bus round, errr, Manchester Central.
The A to Z is in the post - I’ve marked where the constituency is for you
https://x.com/LucyMPowell/status/2023118224326631655
Rupert Lowe MP
@RupertLowe10
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45m
Big news. Restore Britain has just hit 50,000 members.
Maybe précis it with a bit of text about what a zinger it is.
ScotxP is the worst - it’s all very well posting/forwarding tweets by someone who agrees with you but ffs who are these people - tell us why their opinion matters. They could be a random in a Brighton basement. Context.
He was the only English man of that era who would have got anywhere near the Welsh side.
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2022919799752294493?s=61&t=LYVEHh2mqFy1oUJAdCfe-Q
Mind you, I backed Conservatives most seats in 2021
Championing opportunities for working class people isn't "class war", it's using the tools of government to lean ever so slightly against the natural tendency of the capitalist system and a society dominated by a privileged elite to crush them completely. That is the purpose of the Labour Party - the clue is in the fucking name, Matthew. And how ludicrous to label this as an example of class war while pretending that years of Tory austerity that fell hardest on the shoulders of the least well off and on working class areas wasn't. I suppose it is only class war when those at the bottom dare to fight back. When those at the top do it people like Parris would rather we simply accept it as the natural order of things.
One of them was totally inexplicable.
The other involved somebody rising from the dead.
https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/2023128301313696130
They really should suspend VAR temporarily while they go off and decide how they want it to be used, and educate their officials accordingly. They can then bring it back when it is all sorted. Might take six months or more, but nobody would miss it in the interim. Then when it returns it might actually be an asset rather than the drag it is at the moment.
They've been winging it ever since it was introduced with the result that the system has been discredited, which is a shame because the technology is good and the overall intention is a worthy one.
Shouting out of the com box: "Come on Lucinda!"
More importantly, I can’t recall a UK a politician tweeting “right about everything” about Bill Clinton. If they have, fine, criticise them for doing so.
I had laid him at 5/1 so had a bit back
'And Juantorina opens his legs and shows his class.'
"Larry the Cat celebrates 15 years as Downing Street’s chief mouser"
https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-14/larry-the-cat-to-celebrate-15-years-as-downing-streets-chief-mouser
I am sure that there are other claims here that can also be disputed, but as I said, Truss is talking about the big political calls. With a slightly more intelligent crowd here that might have resulted in a debate about those calls, and whether indeed he has got them right. However, here it has resulted in calls for Truss to be banned from something, which seems to be par for the course here when certain people come across a view they don't agree with.
Of course, Elon Musk's ignorance about the multicultural economic zone created by the Act of Union, and it's subsequent success, is a given.
If there's evidence he distillates in criminal activity, then investigated him too.
And the idea that UK politicians are beating an oath to his door is nonsense.
Farage/Trump is rather different, of course, as is the longstanding and continuing engagement of Epstein associated Steve Bannon with the right wing in both Europe and the UK.
(It need not involve direct force; indeed successful coups try to avoid that.)
Jack Smith's evidence to Congress set out the case against him. It is deeply unfortunate that it never gug the chance to go before a court.
C-17 Airlifts A Micro Nuclear Reactor For The First Time
Micro nuclear reactors are being seen as a way to get critical bases off the grid, but they could also have a major impact on civilian energy production.
https://www.twz.com/uncategorized/this-is-a-nuclear-reactor-packed-into-a-c-17-globemaster-iii
"David Hemery wins for Britain, in second place is Hennige, who cares who's third, it doesn't matter".
It was John Sherwood who came third.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/15/number-uk-women-suicide-domestic-abuse-under-reported-say-experts
..The number of women who are driven to suicide by domestic abusers is being under-reported, and their cases overlooked by police, in what has been described by experts as a “national scandal”.
Domestic violence suicides are already growing at such a rate that a woman in an abusive relationship is now more likely to take her own life than be killed by a partner.
But research into the number of women who take their own life in such circumstances has suggested official statistics could track as few as 6.5% of the true number of cases.
According to the Domestic Homicide Project, a programme led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), there were 98 suspected suicides following domestic abuse in 2024, compared with 80 intimate partner homicides.
But research by a suicide prevention programme in Kent found that about a third of all suspected suicides in the region between 2018 and 2024 were affected by domestic abuse.
If the numbers in Kent reflect the national picture, it could mean as many as 1,500 victims of domestic abuse are taking their own lives every year – up to 15 times as many as previously thought.
Tim Woodhouse, the programme manager and a University of Kent academic, who led the research, said: “We need some sort of national taskforce to get a grip on this.” He added that it was “bonkers that we are basing national estimates on one researcher’s evidence”...
Whilst this issue of abuse by men leading to suicide by women needs fixing so does the crazy level of suicide amongst middle aged men. Do they get a national task force set up?
Mary's Virginity Explanation Made Joseph Suspect Upstairs Neighbour.
0.01% spend their time in a farm on the The Western Isles. Just to stop triggering any cybernats.
I'm a fan of nuclear power, but the risks of a nasty accident are probably proportional to the number of reactors in service. Given that potential accident severity doesn't really scale with reactor size, I'd much rather build a few big nukes that lots of little ones.
In any event, we're talking about two quite different things.
Regarding male suicide, the government did do something last year (also not a task force).
Government unveils England's first ever Men's Health Strategy
The government launches bold plan to tackle physical and mental health challenges faced by men and boys, and reduce inequalities.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-unveils-englands-first-ever-mens-health-strategy
My childhood hero.
What a showman.
What a winger!!
It isn't kindness or altruism towards the less fortunate that motivates them.