The Mail Bag
Alexie Sayle — Tosser
Comments (28)
Did anybody watch that drivel on BBC 2 last evening? Written by southern-based (and never really very funny anyway) comedian Alexie Sayle, he sought to rediscover the city that he had abandoned twenty five years ago.
In a historical journey through Liverpools character throughout the 60's to the present day, Sayle chatted with a host of people who in his opinion had played a key part in the development of the city (good and bad) throughout that period.
In a programme that made numerous references to the cities footballing pride it was with great dissapointment that the mention of Everton Football Club was limited to a very short comment made on Harry Enfields 'Scousers', and a question to Sayle from a scally red neck news agent still hung up over The Sun's treatment of dark side after Hillsborough, when making reference to the fact that even bitter blues dont buy that paper.
In contrast they lingered their cameras over Analfield when making reference to the cities football traditions, spent time in a Kopite pub and chatted to a Union militant from Fords who claimed that he spent most of his time discussing the pros and cons of Liverpool FC while building Ford Anglias (no wonder the cars were shit).
But the thing that really pissed me off and had me shouting at the TV screen was an interview with Gerry Marsden after subjecting the viewer to his shit version of what can best be described as the devil's song; you know the one. It could only be described as ignorance, blinkered stupidity or even naivete that Sayle declared the song to unite ALL football fans throughout the city.
I found this particularly offensive and tantamount to the suggestion that Judaism unites the whole of the Middle East. I was at the so called freindly Milk cup final in 1984. Despite the wrongs of 'Hands christian Hansen', this was otherwise a friendly final and good advert for the City of Liverpool and Merseyside as a whole in the dark days of Thatcherism. But maybe Sayle shoul of investigated just why the scally newsagent felt the need to make reference to those 'bitter blues', and explore the reasons why those so called loveable reds are not so loveable after all.
Maybe then he could of presented a true picture of the Cities footballing divisions instead of falling into line with the medias passion for glossing up a club that were never truely punished, nor appologised to the nation for their role in the Heysel stadium disaster.
Maybe the he could of discovered why Evertonians have the right to be bitter. You'll never walk alone unites nobody but glory hunting bandwagon bastards with little knowledge or lust for the game of football, and led only by the southern media for which Sayle is very much a part. It would be nice to believe that our own blue Bill who must be on the periphery of that soceity could one day show Sayle the error of his ways, however Sayle has probably swanned off back to his London home (and good riddance) in the smug belief that he has portrayed the character of Liverpool to the country. Yet again we see another blinkered and biased picture of the cities football culture.
Colin Garland, Posted 06/06/2008 at 22:54:25
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Simon Jones
2 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:01:28
2 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:01:28
Sorry Colin, but I enjoyed the programme and revelled in the fact that the krapites sing a show tune from a Rogers and Hammerstein musical. If you thought it was drivel then why not turn it off? The Sun thing? I have never bought it and I don’t buy it because of the bullshit about Hillsborough they printed. That disaster could easily have been us, 96 dead Blues instead. Think about it. Alexei may not be to your taste, but I thought it was an honest attempt to eat a bit of humble pie on his part.
Teddy Draper
3 Posted 07/06/2008 at 15:57:14
3 Posted 07/06/2008 at 15:57:14
Mr Ramejkis, I take great offence with your inference that anyone who left Liverpool (to better themselves) is a "Tory scum bastard" I left the city forty years ago, to give my three children a far better life than if I had stayed. People who know me, know I was (before retirement) a very strong socialist, hod carrier, and all round working class Evertonian. I still go to the match when I can, in my mid-seventies now, happy in North Wales, and very very proud to say I am still a good scouse lad at heart. Looking forward to next season, COYB.
Gavin Ramejkis
4 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:23:07
4 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:23:07
Teddy sorry you misread my meaning, it was aimed at the professional scousers in the media that only switch it on to earn a few quid, the second they are surrounded by the southern hangers on it’s all forgotten. Scousers are all over the world as this board and many others testify but unlike scum like Sayle and Tarby etc are only scousers when it gets them work
Andy Willox
5 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:42:49
5 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:42:49
I have been going on about this very thing in work today to reds and unsurprisingly they ?didn?t notice it?!! Every fucking connection between EFC and this city is being eradicated and it has to be said, encouraged by the will and inactivity of the current board.
Some Blues aren?t upset or aware of this but to me it is a genuine attempt to push us into the ?loving arms? of a borough that wants us. No way!
I?ve tried desperately to be pragmatic about the location part of the move issue but this is beyond a joke now. Are the history books to be sanitised for the redshite to help them with their guilt by eliminating every connection or mention of Everton FC?
I have never bought The Sun, ripped copies up after hillsborough too, but to be called a ?bitter blue? by some skaghead newspaper boy is too far.
It was a good opportunity in this show to have us all together. There would have been riots if it had portrayed the city as protestant only; to me, this is the same.
Tony Marsh
6 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:50:53
6 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:50:53
Alexi who? Who gives a crap what he has to say and I doubt very much that the viewing figures for this show went above the 200 mark. Sayle, like all of the other out of touch proffesional Scousers, are laughed at and not taken seriously by anyone when it comes to their views on Liverpool. I mean they all fucked off 30 years ago so what the fuck do any of them know about the place?
Sayle, Tarby, Black and all the other southern-based Scouse Luvy mafia can fuck right off.
Sayle, Tarby, Black and all the other southern-based Scouse Luvy mafia can fuck right off.
Stephen Cardwell
7 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:57:23
7 Posted 07/06/2008 at 16:57:23
Wherever did the term "bitter blue" come from I wonder? Did you go out for your copy of The Sun this morning Colin, or did you have it delivered?
Danny Naylor
8 Posted 07/06/2008 at 17:06:10
8 Posted 07/06/2008 at 17:06:10
I watched it too, and I while I found it interesting in a historical context, Sayle?s opinions made him a tit - (even though I admitt I found his early comedy stuff funny). But yes, I did find the lack of anything Everton FC stuck out like a sore thumb.
But am I surprised? No. It's a mainstream program brought on by the Capital of Culture bollocks. BBC have to make a program on it/about Liverpool?s history and, to be brutally honest, the RS have had more "world media" exposure (be it Hillsborough, board battles or cups) than we have.
We?re almost the forgotten club ? Liverpool City Council couldn't give a shit about us now, the RS will always be the media?s favourate scouse football team, media whores in some respect. Christ, I was watching football years 92/93 on Sky Sports last Saturaday and you know how many times we popped up? Once when we won the RS 2-1 (Beardsley?s long range bottom corner job) - You?d think we were relegated or something. The RS were on constantly and did fuck all that season being that Norwich City were the team to beat that season.
It won't change any time soon unless we start winning sutff. The RS shadow is too big (even the name Liverpool FC helps) to the outside world. Manc City have the same problem against Manure, and I?m sure a similar program about Manchester would?ve done the same thing.
But would people want more media exposure? Personally, I?d say yes for a bigger profile but I do like the fact we?re a team that keeps its head down and lets the football on the pitch do the talking.
But am I surprised? No. It's a mainstream program brought on by the Capital of Culture bollocks. BBC have to make a program on it/about Liverpool?s history and, to be brutally honest, the RS have had more "world media" exposure (be it Hillsborough, board battles or cups) than we have.
We?re almost the forgotten club ? Liverpool City Council couldn't give a shit about us now, the RS will always be the media?s favourate scouse football team, media whores in some respect. Christ, I was watching football years 92/93 on Sky Sports last Saturaday and you know how many times we popped up? Once when we won the RS 2-1 (Beardsley?s long range bottom corner job) - You?d think we were relegated or something. The RS were on constantly and did fuck all that season being that Norwich City were the team to beat that season.
It won't change any time soon unless we start winning sutff. The RS shadow is too big (even the name Liverpool FC helps) to the outside world. Manc City have the same problem against Manure, and I?m sure a similar program about Manchester would?ve done the same thing.
But would people want more media exposure? Personally, I?d say yes for a bigger profile but I do like the fact we?re a team that keeps its head down and lets the football on the pitch do the talking.
Mike Dunne
9 Posted 07/06/2008 at 17:28:53
9 Posted 07/06/2008 at 17:28:53
Dear pro-Kirkby Blues, you will have no excuse to complain about over-representation of Liverpool FC over Everton in media presentations about the City of Liverpool because then Liverpool FC will be the only club in the city.
Will you dopes be happy then?
Will you dopes be happy then?
Keith Glazzard
10 Posted 07/06/2008 at 17:27:54
10 Posted 07/06/2008 at 17:27:54
If any Evertonian thought that any media exposure due to that City of Culture stuff was going to be balanced they should try harder to keep up. Let’s face it, if Liverpool’s gift to the world is a tune from some crap American musical ... but perhaps that’s why the Americans bought them. No accounting for taste.
Arthur Jones
11 Posted 07/06/2008 at 18:22:10
11 Posted 07/06/2008 at 18:22:10
That programme was an ideal opportunity to highlight the David France Everton Collection and the cultural history it portrays . Whether you are red or Blue , football is a large portion of the city’s history , We were playing at Goodison 70 years before anybody had heared of the Beatles and The Everton Collection is the single most important document explaining that history and it involves not just the City but the game in general . .. Call me bitter if you like but if it was the liverpoo collection , the BBC would have already had a 3 hour special commisioned for a saturday night !!
Alan Willo
12 Posted 07/06/2008 at 18:42:13
12 Posted 07/06/2008 at 18:42:13
I agree with this post 100%!! It was a joke and a dig at us in every direction. I buy The Sun on a regular basis: I find it an ok read for a red top, but prefer the Times if I have time to read it. I?m also a Tory who has grown up in Walton... wanker Hatton was also on the programme. I don't care too much what we vote (note like Gavin) as it adds to quality and diversity of the EFC fan base. I will buy The Sun every day this week and make sure everybody knows why!! COYB!!!!
Robbie Shields
13 Posted 07/06/2008 at 18:27:51
13 Posted 07/06/2008 at 18:27:51
The lack of reference to Everton FC was a disgrace, I actually quite like Alexi Sayle but I think he missed a big opportunity to heal a few wounds in the City. Not only was there no reference at all to Everton, except the infamous ’Bitter Blues’ statement when describing how ’even the bitter blues don’t buy the Sun’, yes we are really bitter aren’t we, that we still don’t buy the Sun because they printed lies about Liverpool fans, but there was no reference to Heysel at all and the effect it had on Everton.
Liverpool, to my knowledge, have never accepted responsibility for what happend at Heysel nor have they accepted that Everton suffered the most from the ban English Clubs received. Why couldn’t Alexi Sayle have said
....’Ironically, the club that suffered most out of the Heysel disaster was Everton FC, having won the Championship 2 times they were denied entry into the European Cup, when arguably they were the best team in Europe. This has led to a souring of relations between the cities two sets of supporters over the subsequent years.’
I would like to think that had the roles been reversed and I had been in his position, I would have been big enough to make that statement and also acknowledge the other half’s existence and contribution to the City.
Liverpool, to my knowledge, have never accepted responsibility for what happend at Heysel nor have they accepted that Everton suffered the most from the ban English Clubs received. Why couldn’t Alexi Sayle have said
....’Ironically, the club that suffered most out of the Heysel disaster was Everton FC, having won the Championship 2 times they were denied entry into the European Cup, when arguably they were the best team in Europe. This has led to a souring of relations between the cities two sets of supporters over the subsequent years.’
I would like to think that had the roles been reversed and I had been in his position, I would have been big enough to make that statement and also acknowledge the other half’s existence and contribution to the City.
Danny Broderick
14 Posted 07/06/2008 at 19:39:15
14 Posted 07/06/2008 at 19:39:15
Some people are so sensitive! FFS!
Robbie Shields
15 Posted 07/06/2008 at 19:48:39
15 Posted 07/06/2008 at 19:48:39
Danny, maybe you aren’t as old as me. I was 15 at the time and I’d been to all the games that season, we didn’t go to Rotterdam because we couldn’t afford it (Mad I know, and we’ve regretted it ever since), instead we decided to save our money to watch Everton in the European Cup, ho-hum. That’s why this year (some 20 years later) I spent over £100 on a Nurnberg ticket and £400 on 2 Fiorentina away tickets for me and my brother. Maybe I am a little sensitive, FFS all you like, that’s the way I feel.
Paul Thompson
16 Posted 07/06/2008 at 19:36:03
16 Posted 07/06/2008 at 19:36:03
A bit(ter) of an over-reaction from a number of contributors to this mini-debate, methinks.
Ok, some of the coverage in the programme was cliched (Gerry Marsden, Hatton etc) and it would have been nice to have some mentions of our club, but guys, get real, not everyything can be judged on how many times Everton are mentioned. Alexi Sayle did not come across as a professional scouser and was, in fact, honest and thoughtful about his relationship to the city.
There is a strain in some comments (also shown in the ground move debate) of contempt for anyone who does not live in the city. LIke a lot of the people who view and comment on this site, I moved away in search of a better job. I?m still a passionate Evertonian. This dispersal trend is inevitable and to be embraced as successful clubs need a global fan base.
There is media bias in favour of Liverpool, but it?s not a conspiracy. It?s the outcome of their (unfortunately) sustained, if diminishing, success. We will get more if and when we start to match it. In the past few years there has been a growing respect for Everton amongst commentators and oridnary fans alike, but those who can only see slights and only hear silences, seldom notice.
Ok, some of the coverage in the programme was cliched (Gerry Marsden, Hatton etc) and it would have been nice to have some mentions of our club, but guys, get real, not everyything can be judged on how many times Everton are mentioned. Alexi Sayle did not come across as a professional scouser and was, in fact, honest and thoughtful about his relationship to the city.
There is a strain in some comments (also shown in the ground move debate) of contempt for anyone who does not live in the city. LIke a lot of the people who view and comment on this site, I moved away in search of a better job. I?m still a passionate Evertonian. This dispersal trend is inevitable and to be embraced as successful clubs need a global fan base.
There is media bias in favour of Liverpool, but it?s not a conspiracy. It?s the outcome of their (unfortunately) sustained, if diminishing, success. We will get more if and when we start to match it. In the past few years there has been a growing respect for Everton amongst commentators and oridnary fans alike, but those who can only see slights and only hear silences, seldom notice.
David Marsden
17 Posted 07/06/2008 at 20:34:17
17 Posted 07/06/2008 at 20:34:17
To be honest I thought it was pretty much accurate portrait of Liverpool?s attitude to outsiders commenting. I think Alexi got it right. We are all bloody sensitive! We are extremely passionate about our city! It's proven here as well by our KEIOC and this thread itself. I myself have always believed in the Liverpool Republic attitude. Fuck England ? I?m a scouser!! I think Alexi did well to try to discuss that.
To me the point he made was he?d lost touch, lost his understanding. He admits he left!! He knows he?s a scouser through birth and upbringing but got lose somewhere. So it was his a reflection on what he thinks the difference is.
You don?t have to like it, it's his opinion!!!
As for the missing out of Everton, I think that is proof of how out of touch Alexi got that he ain?t Red or Blue, he's forgotten about Liverpool so only sees what he gets in the National media. Which, as we know, is a lover of the red shite and we are slightly insignificant.
The point to take from the film was: Be proud! ? we have a right to be, but don?t forgot ? the rest of the country couldn?t give a fuck!!
To me the point he made was he?d lost touch, lost his understanding. He admits he left!! He knows he?s a scouser through birth and upbringing but got lose somewhere. So it was his a reflection on what he thinks the difference is.
You don?t have to like it, it's his opinion!!!
As for the missing out of Everton, I think that is proof of how out of touch Alexi got that he ain?t Red or Blue, he's forgotten about Liverpool so only sees what he gets in the National media. Which, as we know, is a lover of the red shite and we are slightly insignificant.
The point to take from the film was: Be proud! ? we have a right to be, but don?t forgot ? the rest of the country couldn?t give a fuck!!
roy coyne
18 Posted 07/06/2008 at 20:43:45
18 Posted 07/06/2008 at 20:43:45
After the first five minutes I turned the tv off the man like his programe was shite,yes I am a bitter blue and its people like him and the Tarbuck and Black cronies that made me that way.
Andy Willox
19 Posted 07/06/2008 at 21:23:53
19 Posted 07/06/2008 at 21:23:53
It isn?t just this one incident, this is just another in a long line of disappearing traces of our place in the what is relevant to this city
David Edwards
20 Posted 07/06/2008 at 23:37:27
20 Posted 07/06/2008 at 23:37:27
Danny - I agree with you - good post! Some common sense and balance
David Edwards
21 Posted 07/06/2008 at 23:43:28
21 Posted 07/06/2008 at 23:43:28
Naylor - I mean! - although Broderick’s post has some validity - lol
Derek Thomas
22 Posted 08/06/2008 at 06:51:55
22 Posted 08/06/2008 at 06:51:55
Sensitive, yes, but just like being paranoid, it isn’t a question of are you too paranoid, but rather, are you paranoid / sensitive enough.
The main thing you have to remember is that this prog. was NOT made for the likes of us, it was for the great unwashed, the chattering classes, the masses, or what passes for such on BBC2.
You don’t have an audience of A,B,C. and give them X,Y,Z.
You give them what they think is ( their version of ) the truth
BUT !!
This editing out of EFC is on a par with the old Russian editing of the Mayday Parade photos.
We are ’ An inconvenient truth ’ we don’t fit stereotype of the jolly red scally from a Bread like sitcom.
Yeah, but you’re all too sensitive, harden up, thought you Scousers all had a sense of humour??.
It’s only one little show on BBC2, where’s the harm, can’t you ppl have a laff.
But it’s not....it’s not just one little show
It’s the death of a 1000 cuts. In and of it’s self, on it’s own...nothing
BUT
When taken in total, it has taken on a Gobbells like life of it’s own.
Repeat a lie long enough and often enough and it becomes the truth...that is to most people.
Henry Higgins had the right of it...As soon as an Englishman opens his mouth and speaks somebody else will look down upon him.
If this degree of institutionalised stereotyping was directed at a group of a colour OTHER than Blue or red ( aka scousers in general ) then feet would not touch the ground, they would be swept away in a PC flash flood.
I’ve lived down south and in expat communities and we are all tarred with the same brush...
On the footie pitch...Watch him ( on hearing the accent ) if you foul him he’ll steal your hubcaps.
Even on my own side from a ’ seemingly ’ sensible team mate ( chelsea supporter )...My laces are all in a knot and I can’t get them undone...Here you go cut them off but watch it it’s sharp.....Reply...Should’ve known, a scouser with a knife.
It’s endemic.
And plastic tossers like fatboy Sayle just pander to it for easy money
No surprise really
The main thing you have to remember is that this prog. was NOT made for the likes of us, it was for the great unwashed, the chattering classes, the masses, or what passes for such on BBC2.
You don’t have an audience of A,B,C. and give them X,Y,Z.
You give them what they think is ( their version of ) the truth
BUT !!
This editing out of EFC is on a par with the old Russian editing of the Mayday Parade photos.
We are ’ An inconvenient truth ’ we don’t fit stereotype of the jolly red scally from a Bread like sitcom.
Yeah, but you’re all too sensitive, harden up, thought you Scousers all had a sense of humour??.
It’s only one little show on BBC2, where’s the harm, can’t you ppl have a laff.
But it’s not....it’s not just one little show
It’s the death of a 1000 cuts. In and of it’s self, on it’s own...nothing
BUT
When taken in total, it has taken on a Gobbells like life of it’s own.
Repeat a lie long enough and often enough and it becomes the truth...that is to most people.
Henry Higgins had the right of it...As soon as an Englishman opens his mouth and speaks somebody else will look down upon him.
If this degree of institutionalised stereotyping was directed at a group of a colour OTHER than Blue or red ( aka scousers in general ) then feet would not touch the ground, they would be swept away in a PC flash flood.
I’ve lived down south and in expat communities and we are all tarred with the same brush...
On the footie pitch...Watch him ( on hearing the accent ) if you foul him he’ll steal your hubcaps.
Even on my own side from a ’ seemingly ’ sensible team mate ( chelsea supporter )...My laces are all in a knot and I can’t get them undone...Here you go cut them off but watch it it’s sharp.....Reply...Should’ve known, a scouser with a knife.
It’s endemic.
And plastic tossers like fatboy Sayle just pander to it for easy money
No surprise really
David Marsden
23 Posted 08/06/2008 at 11:56:14
23 Posted 08/06/2008 at 11:56:14
This whole thread is a pathetic overeation ? exactly Alexi?s point.
Paul Gladwell
24 Posted 08/06/2008 at 12:08:18
24 Posted 08/06/2008 at 12:08:18
I thought the programme was ok to be fair, apart from that song ,which I used the mute switch and the cringworthy "eh lad wont the bizzies do ye" sequence were they made out no one buys The Sun yet the shop they were in seemed fit to have a stack of them on the counter.
I dont think there was a need for Everton to have been mentioned and apparantley in the other episodes he slags the football club or clubs off for not helping the community more, I wonder if we will get a mention then?
I dont think there was a need for Everton to have been mentioned and apparantley in the other episodes he slags the football club or clubs off for not helping the community more, I wonder if we will get a mention then?
Anthony Newell
25 Posted 08/06/2008 at 11:57:37
25 Posted 08/06/2008 at 11:57:37
Paul Thompson, Dave Marsden, you are bang on the money. I actually thought the programme was an honest and accurate account and the fact he was prepared to eat humble pie at the beginning said something to me. The guy left to progress his career like so many others whether forced or by choice. That does not make you plastic because you don’t live in the city on a daily basis. I had to to get on my bike and go to London at one stage because I simply couldn’t get work, there wasn’t another choice. There is a draw-bridge or siege mentality because the city has had so much shit thrown at it but it’s also true that lots of people will not entertain criticism in anyway. You only have to look at some of the comments above to realise that. I agree it does go too far at times though (the Bigley comments come to mind) and people are right to lash out. But lashing out against one of ’yours’ who is obviously making an effort just re-confirms the points highlighted in the programme. Incidentally, one thought that did cross my mind whilst watching was how big is the land that was used for the garden festival. It’s just unused and growing weeds - possible stadium site?
Colin Garland
26 Posted 08/06/2008 at 12:05:26
26 Posted 08/06/2008 at 12:05:26
If being sensitive means not rolling over and pandering to the red shite and their media allies then guess what?
I am not just a bitter blue, I am bloody sensitive one too!!!!!!!!
Call me what you like, but for me Everton football club will always be the number one team, whether that be in Liverpool or the rest of Europe, and I dont care who knows it.
Having simmered down since Friday evening, I have to admit that there were parts of the show that I otherwise enjoyed, but I am glad that it has got a debate going and thanks to everyone that left some comments, whether in support of my view point or otherwise.
I do think that it is important lto et the rest of the country know about the passion that exists for the peoples club where ever you hail from.
By the way, I dont buy the Sun. But that has got more to do with the fact that it is a shit paper and not so much to do with Hillsborough, which as was rightly pointed out could of happened to any of us.
Stand up and be proud to be an Evertonian. Let everybody know and lets hope that Moysey’s boys deliver a long awaited trophy in the coming season.
Everton for ever. COYB
I am not just a bitter blue, I am bloody sensitive one too!!!!!!!!
Call me what you like, but for me Everton football club will always be the number one team, whether that be in Liverpool or the rest of Europe, and I dont care who knows it.
Having simmered down since Friday evening, I have to admit that there were parts of the show that I otherwise enjoyed, but I am glad that it has got a debate going and thanks to everyone that left some comments, whether in support of my view point or otherwise.
I do think that it is important lto et the rest of the country know about the passion that exists for the peoples club where ever you hail from.
By the way, I dont buy the Sun. But that has got more to do with the fact that it is a shit paper and not so much to do with Hillsborough, which as was rightly pointed out could of happened to any of us.
Stand up and be proud to be an Evertonian. Let everybody know and lets hope that Moysey’s boys deliver a long awaited trophy in the coming season.
Everton for ever. COYB
Andy Callan
27 Posted 09/06/2008 at 13:33:49
27 Posted 09/06/2008 at 13:33:49
Fuck Sayle - he’s a right cunt him like.
Fuck the Red Shite off as well.
I am sick of hearin’ about the 96 and all that shite. it was a disaster and the people who got there early were the poor ones killed - WE ALL APPRECIATE THAT.
I bet fuckin’ Hysel wasn’t mentioned.
Cunts.
Fuck the Red Shite off as well.
I am sick of hearin’ about the 96 and all that shite. it was a disaster and the people who got there early were the poor ones killed - WE ALL APPRECIATE THAT.
I bet fuckin’ Hysel wasn’t mentioned.
Cunts.
Hugh Moran
28 Posted 17/06/2008 at 09:05:00
28 Posted 17/06/2008 at 09:05:00
I found Sayle?s programme superb, it was refreshing to have an intelligent and critical look at Liverpool for once. I left in the early 80s for London, where else was I going to get a job? I now live in the US and although I enjoy returning to Liverpool, I often find myself dissapointed and saddened by the place.
I do not agree with those who seem to think that by leaving Liverpool, one somehow disqualifies onesself from commenting upon it, this is bigotry.
Who cares about the tired old "Liverpool Everton" squabbling, the show wasn?t about fucking football, nor should it be, I mean this is a tiny part of life in my world, perhaps some of you live only for sport but don?t assume the rest of us give a toss.
To judge Sayle negatively and evaluate the three part programme from the narrow perspective of sport, only serves to undelrine that he was partly correct all those years ago when he used the term "Philistine" as he did.
Liverpool has a lot of problems and scousers really do need to wake up and face these else they will never get discussed let alone fixed.
On a recent trip here is what I experienced:
1. Taxi drivers had no idea where to go, insisted I help them with their GPS system.
2. My wife asked for a pint of water in between beers in a pub near Dale st, the barmaid refused point blank.
3. Many shops sell pasties and pies but never have napkins.
4. Many of the pubs serve dull lager and or weak bitters, many are also dirty and offer no food or just microwaved junk.
5. Everybody seems to obsessed with posing, the men in particular like to "look hard" and there is an ever present air of tensions/agression.
6. The City is badly damaged by drugs, these are consumed almost openly.
7. Good quality restaurants and service are rare, so many places have low standards and so many customers have no idea just how good standards and service can be outside of Liverpool.
8. Finally the City has been handed over to the wealthy, the land owners (like Duke of Westminster) for use as a giant retail park, honestly this is all the City is these days nothing but shops selling junk.
Alexi Sayle is intelligent and dares to say what many of us have known for years, it?s time to wake up.
I do not agree with those who seem to think that by leaving Liverpool, one somehow disqualifies onesself from commenting upon it, this is bigotry.
Who cares about the tired old "Liverpool Everton" squabbling, the show wasn?t about fucking football, nor should it be, I mean this is a tiny part of life in my world, perhaps some of you live only for sport but don?t assume the rest of us give a toss.
To judge Sayle negatively and evaluate the three part programme from the narrow perspective of sport, only serves to undelrine that he was partly correct all those years ago when he used the term "Philistine" as he did.
Liverpool has a lot of problems and scousers really do need to wake up and face these else they will never get discussed let alone fixed.
On a recent trip here is what I experienced:
1. Taxi drivers had no idea where to go, insisted I help them with their GPS system.
2. My wife asked for a pint of water in between beers in a pub near Dale st, the barmaid refused point blank.
3. Many shops sell pasties and pies but never have napkins.
4. Many of the pubs serve dull lager and or weak bitters, many are also dirty and offer no food or just microwaved junk.
5. Everybody seems to obsessed with posing, the men in particular like to "look hard" and there is an ever present air of tensions/agression.
6. The City is badly damaged by drugs, these are consumed almost openly.
7. Good quality restaurants and service are rare, so many places have low standards and so many customers have no idea just how good standards and service can be outside of Liverpool.
8. Finally the City has been handed over to the wealthy, the land owners (like Duke of Westminster) for use as a giant retail park, honestly this is all the City is these days nothing but shops selling junk.
Alexi Sayle is intelligent and dares to say what many of us have known for years, it?s time to wake up.
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 07/06/2008 at 15:50:01