What are the English best at?

This is now. Today :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jk4vr/Panorama_Euro_2012_Stadiums_of_Hate/

20 years ago you could still die in a gutter for being the wrong colour. Worldwide. You still can but then it was common.

Someone like Daley said to every single racist in the world "fuck you". On the largest stage.

Jnr DJ wrote:This is now. Today :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jk4vr/Panorama_Euro_2012_Stadiums_of_Hate/

20 years ago you could still die in a gutter for being the wrong colour. Worldwide. You still can but then it was common.

Someone like Daley said to every single racist in the world "fuck you".

We watched that Panorama program on Friday night and was pretty shocked. Especially the Indian students who'd just gone to watch a local game. I used to go to football in the 80's but was way too young to understand what was going on. It's shocking to think stuff like that went on in my lifetime. I know it's still there today but I'd like to think it's an embarrassing minority.

Daley was a hero to all though as far as I can remember. Definitely one of the only olympians I can remember from around that time.

At the time the UK race riots were just happening. Black men in particular were getting extra demonised every day. In those days the mainstream press were as racist as the then current tv programmes like 'mind your language' . It was 'acceptable' to have a degree of racism.

So Daley wasn't just a 'poster boy' he was a serious role model. Going against a lot more than great German athletes. Not just as an ambassador for humanity (which sounds pompous but the best athletes are our best examples physically) as an all round nice bloke and clean cut chap he flew against all the stereotypes being flung in everyone's faces of Black Men as rioters, muggers or idiots in TV comedies/news/you name it.

He wasn't just a winner he was THE winner. The world's best all round athlete. Just a lad from Laaandon.

It was really important. It really fucked with the heads of the National Front loons who were barkingly patriotic but openly racist. It was a different time for sport too. When England still was in the running and could be expected to win something rather than expected to lose everything like now. But Daley won everything all the time. He was at the front of that period with Seb Coe etc

Tell it white boy

I hate to say it but he's right. England was descending into a racist hellhole in '79-'80 onwards. And that is something if I notice it.

Daley Thompson was England's Ali. He was bigger than an athlete. He was also a bit blase' about patriotism which endeared him to many. I remember he whistled the anthem and everyone was up in arms. I like him.

Sherrers wrote:The greatest all-round athlete in the world ;

I'll raise you

T.B wrote:Tell it white boy

are you one of those old skool sistaz who doesn't think the white devil can have a say?

Can I just say I am really down with all the love there is on here for Daley

Jnr DJ wrote:

T.B wrote:Tell it white boy

are you one of those old skool sistaz who doesn't think the white devil can have a say?

haha .

No.

Just Sheridan.

Jnr DJ wrote:Can I just say I am really down with all the love there is on here for Daley

He was my hero too. Bumped into him around 6 or 7 years ago and was stunned into silence...it was like a WOW moment.

mine to

i am well jel of nod

Let's hope we have something to cheer about this summer and a whole new generation find their 'Daley'. It's been a bloody long time coming.

Tom Daley? Ok, maybe not.

Broadhead wrote:Tom Daley? Ok, maybe not.

He's a little runt. Deffo not hero material.

Just get disappointed right now. Forget it.

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:Tom Daley? Ok, maybe not.

He's a little runt. Deffo not hero material.

He's very good at what he does, but he won't win gold. Loads of pressure on Hoy, Ennis, Daley and a few others. Lets hope someone steps up to the plate.

Two hours of postivity and love then normal service is resumed

Broadhead wrote:

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:Tom Daley? Ok, maybe not.

He's a little runt. Deffo not hero material.

He's very good at what he does, but he won't win gold. Loads of pressure on Hoy, Ennis, Daley and a few others. Lets hope someone steps up to the plate.

I forgot you were a 'diver'. You could be our forum diving expert *snigger*

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:Tom Daley? Ok, maybe not.

He's a little runt. Deffo not hero material.

He's very good at what he does, but he won't win gold. Loads of pressure on Hoy, Ennis, Daley and a few others. Lets hope someone steps up to the plate.

I forgot you were a 'diver'. You could be our forum diving expert *snigger*

Yorkshire and North Eastern champion and 5th best in the country at one point i will have you know. That's right, FIFTH BEST!!!

Broadhead wrote:

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:Tom Daley? Ok, maybe not.

He's a little runt. Deffo not hero material.

He's very good at what he does, but he won't win gold. Loads of pressure on Hoy, Ennis, Daley and a few others. Lets hope someone steps up to the plate.

I forgot you were a 'diver'. You could be our forum diving expert *snigger*

Yorkshire and North Eastern champion and 5th best in the country at one point i will have you know. That's right, FIFTH BEST!!!

Seeing as Wookie is not around, I'll cut you back down to size.

'Was that 5th best out of 5?'

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:

Fandango Widewheels wrote:

Broadhead wrote:Tom Daley? Ok, maybe not.

He's a little runt. Deffo not hero material.

He's very good at what he does, but he won't win gold. Loads of pressure on Hoy, Ennis, Daley and a few others. Lets hope someone steps up to the plate.

I forgot you were a 'diver'. You could be our forum diving expert *snigger*

Yorkshire and North Eastern champion and 5th best in the country at one point i will have you know. That's right, FIFTH BEST!!!

Seeing as Wookie is not around, I'll cut you back down to size.

'Was that 5th best out of 5?'

Pffft, out of everyone in the country more like. That did diving. About 50 i reckon!

any pics?

Sherrers wrote:any pics?

I don't, though i was usually a bit busy to be holding a camera and taking pictures of boys in trunks down the swimming baths was frowned upon even then

You're trying to tell us your parents haven't got pics of you in your diving days?

Fandango Widewheels wrote:You're trying to tell us your parents haven't got pics of you in your diving days?

I'm sure they do somewhere. I'll ask me fatha later.

IF I can smuggle a camera into a pool as a fat hairy man in his 40s for the forum you can find us a pic from your dad

Broadhead wrote:

Sherrers wrote:any pics?

I don't, though i was usually a bit busy to be holding a camera and taking pictures of boys in trunks down the swimming baths was frowned upon even then

bloody conservatives

Am I the only one who is into the LYMPICZ

The CMD is proper excited. I wouldn't say I was excited but I do like the fact that it's in England, and I hope it manages to lift the blanket of gloom we're under for three weeks.

In Olympics related news I got my picture taken with one of the Olympic torches and a torchbearer last week