sadoldgit

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And the vast majority didn't used to get involved in fights in the 1970s either but they happened all the same. There is always a minority that spoil if for the rest. And just because they might not be homophobic or racist some will still make unacceptable remarks.

Disaster? No one died. It was just a transfer that didn't work out. Some don't and he isn't the only one. He can clearly play but it didn't work out with us. That is not a disaster, it is football and happens everywhere.

I read somewhere that it is to do with the turf that is used nowadays. Apparently it doesn't "give" as it used to and leads to more twisting of limbs.

Ain't that the truth!

I am not sure that the gay scene in Brighton has a great deal to do with air crew??? Yeah, I did used to go to games in the 70s and yes I appreciate that things have changed. I am not saying that there is hatred involved, just that calling someone gay is often still done so in a pejorative way - otherwise what is the point? There is no one in Brighton and Hove who doesn't know that they live in an area with a large gay population so what is the point of chanting at them that they live in a community with gay people? The whole point is to have a dig - just as the chants about the Munich Air Disaster and making hissing gas noises against the Spuds fans is having a dig. I doubt very much if anyone is anti-sematic when they make those noises, they are just using something they think will wind up the oppo fans. Also you say that nobody is throwing bananas at John Barnes but there is still a great deal of racism in football, especially abroad. If there wasn't there would be a Kick It Out campaign.

Is it? Brighton is a pretty cool place.

De-

My point about the white chant is that the whole point of giving abuse is to use terms that are deemed abusive. If it was no big deal about being gay then why chant about it because there would be no point. I think ribbing someone about tarting themselves up is very different to abusing someone for their sexuality.

Can we now add him to the list of goalkeepers that Kelvin is still better than?

But what I am saying is if there is nothing "wrong" with being gay, why bother if people think you are? It isn't a question of hating gays, it is a question of it being a pejorative term and a form of abuse. Most of us happen, I assume, to be white. A football crowd here wouldn't chant Your White And You know You Are. Why? Because it is not understood as a term of abuse. Calling someone gay when they are not is seen by some still as a form of abuse otherwise why do it?

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I suppose you could say it was homophobic in the sense that you are saying there is something wrong in being gay. If there isn't why even bother going there?

It is much easier to be involved in the game from midfield or defence. Up front you are reliant on the service you get. When Pelle gets decent service he looks a quality player. Rooney might not be playing to his best but he is still a regular starter for Manchester United and England so those many pundits seem to have the same view as the managers of Manchester United and England.

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Spot on mate.

I think this is the problem though - and I don't disagree about the choice being down to the individual. But as long as people don't "come out" they are saying there is something wrong. I can fully understand why people would want to keep their private life private. But I also see that it becomes gossip worthy when we make it hard for people to be who they are by not being open about who they are. We have a couple of guys who live down the road who are openly gay and there is no issue whatsoever. I am sure it would cause more of an issue if they pretended otherwise. People would then speculate and gossip. It is a shame that, in this day and age, it is still seen as being a big deal in football and that is why I think people should be brave and be up front about who they are.

The sooner more gay footballers come out the better. Then we can all get back on with the important stuff in our lives. It is 2015 and time this stuff became irrelevant but it will be a big deal as long as it is seen as something different. There are gay people in all walks of life and in every sport. Just because football is a "macho" sport (isn't rugby, and look at the players coming out there) doesn't mean anything. Being in the army or the police is a "macho" profession but there are plenty of gay people there. All gay footballers should come out together. It will be a big deal for 5 minutes and then we can all move on.

The best revenge is on the pitch. Here's to three points today!

That would be the national newspaper making the claims then.

I don't think the word fond is something anyone could use to describe feeling towards Cortese. He is not the type of guy who generates warm fuzzy feelings is he? Perhaps you could say he could have been remembered with more respect? I think people are generally happy with what he achieved even if his methods sucked. I am just please that we have a management team now who show that you can still do well without megalomaniac tendencies.

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You mention keeping players at the club. I just wonder if you think that still would have been the case more recently without CL football and with the option of a higher wages elsewhere? I also wonder whether, if Cortese had remained, whether Ronald Koeman would be here now?