Whilst I didn’t listen to the radio program and therefore cannot comment on it, I do have the following opinions.

Whilst totally agreeing with clamping down on any form of racism, discrimination of any kind and supporting charities etc. It has all become a bit too much.
People and organisations are too scared to say I don’t support a particular cause and respectfully decide not to participate.
Sport etc seems to have too many delayed starts for clapping, silence, wearing arm bands and coloured ribbons etc.
Again whilst most of these issues are fundamentally sound it is all becoming somewhat tiresome.

George Street-Bridge wrote:Blake is right about the wider context, but it loses momentum if it just becomes a knee-jerk like clapping for the NHS did.. Better to put it back in the box for now and by all means get it out again at some future point.

In my view Blake is utterly wrong. The Black Lives Matter movement is entirely legitimate and one with which I have sympathy. However it is a political movement and has no place in sport. Once you bring sport into politics it has no end.

And yes I did support the Boycott of South Africa in the years of Apartheid. I did though not support the Boycott of South African teams because the Government of South Africa was a racist government, I supported the Boycott because South African teams were selected using a racist criteria. South Africa brought politics into sport, not me. That I chose not to buy South African produce before the end of Apartheid was a political decision on my part. We do need to distinguish.

I am pro European Unity, I think Brexit is a disaster, but I would be aghast if Newport County sported a badge saying 'Stop Brexit'. When a County player scores against an opposition goalkeeper I celebrate. For all I know said County player might hold all sorts of political views I don't agree with. So what?

Politics should be kept out of sport.

Its like wearing a poppy me personally I don't but always donate

Its a personal thing

Blakey was totally right to say what he said and I'd argue it's a positive in that fans can now see how decisions like this are decided upon and acted out within the football club. Any negative press or hearsay off the back of this debate is pretty much null and void, in the years I've been watching County I've been consistently impressed with how the club interacts with the local community via initiatives and causes, charity or otherwise.

We are not a racist club and I won't have the BBC who housed the likes of David Starkey and Jeremy Clarkson for years have us drawn into a debate about racism. Have a word with your employers Blakey and I say that as someone who stands with BLM and it's causes.

more outrage about a career criminal murdered by a thug cop than 22 people killed at manchester arena

our country is fuccked

PC on his PC wrote:more outrage about a career criminal murdered by a thug cop than 22 people killed at manchester arena

our country is fuccked

This post sums up the problem. I disagree with your analysis. In my view the 'taking a knee' is in response not to the individual killing but to the fact police in the USA kill black people with impunity. I don't agree that there is not outrage about the killings in Manchester. The point is that we hold different views. But they are political views and have no place at a football match.

I'm with Stan on this. I do a lot of stuff at work (biggest ancillary UK employer) promoting equality, anti-racist behaviour and also in the community through mentoring and volunteering.

But when I go to a match, or even watch a game on TV, I expect no politics and not to have any views (from any end of the political spectrum) rammed down my throat when I'm relaxing and socialising. Advertising hoardings and adverts in the matchday programme are ok, but forcing me to watch 25 men kneeling for a cause they're not really thinking about pre-match is so false.

Politics and sport should not mix, BLM are a political organisation they have no place in sport - racism is wrong but so is driving a political ideal down everyone’s throat and allowing a disproportionate media and TV coverage of it. Blake should stick to talking football and discussing our great start and attractive football with Gavin.

Tbh ..... Don’t know if if I’m in the minority but it appears to me that some ex pros/journalists are trying to forge a career on the back of the fallout surrounding the recent coverage etc

Justanordinaryfan wrote:Tbh ..... Don’t know if if I’m in the minority but it appears to me that some ex pros/journalists are trying to forge a career on the back of the fallout surrounding the recent coverage etc

Are you serious? Some? The human capacity to feign outrage to enhance personal advantage is as common as shite in a cowshed.

My thoughts on the subject on my latest vlog

Sport is a reflection of society, it always has been political. Some of the most powerful images in sport have been political. Often it can be a vehicle for change, although not often enough in my opinion.

DT1892 wrote:Sport is a reflection of society, it always has been political. Some of the most powerful images in sport have been political. Often it can be a vehicle for change, although not often enough in my opinion.

My problem with your analysis is try watching Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia Part 1. A brilliant film showing.........

I suppose one (Not me) could argue that there's at least equal merit in taking a knee as shaking hands pre-match, or standing for anthems, or respecting minute silences.

I didn’t see anyone take a knee in the champions Lge game I watched this week ? Nothing said ??