There's a fair bit:
I actually agree with @GORDONSMITH7 on this. This is a Hibs internet forum, not a book of condolences at the funeral, or messages and flowers at his house gates. And just because the guy died -- and all sympathy to his family members as such -- does not mean that we should not even mention that the guy was quite obviously the absolute worst kind of Hun, fully bought in to the very worst, odious aspects of Scotland's Shame.
A mounted flute and framed pictures of the UVF, are you actually serious? What was he then, a keen historian of Northern Ireland?
But he was none of those things whilst goalkeeper at Hibs. There's been plenty opportunity to condemn the sectarian culture he immersed himself in since then, why leave it until he pops his clogs? Or at least start another thread unless the only intention is to antagonise.
Exactly Kev. Create another thread - which I'd ignore as it only keeps creating negativity.
I'd go along with this. There's maybe a discussion to be had about his politics and views amongst those interested in talking about ex Hibs players. How's about keeping this thread for memories of a great Hibby.
You know full well that it was and still is a complex issue the political situation in the North of Ireland. I don't personally buy into the theory that all in Republican or Loyalist circles were or are bigoted. Many are obviously but not all were or are. FFS Martin McGuiness and Ian Paisley senior became very close. Andy Goram was a Rangers player. He wasn't the first and won't be the last to get caught up in all that shit. Many Rangers and Celtic players have for many many years. I know we live in a time when we just love to label folk racist, homophobic and sectarian but sometimes it's really not that simple.
Which we will never do unless we resolve not to selectively ignore it for decorum's sake.
I personally buy into the theory that people who frame pictures of loyalist paramilitaries are bigots. It's actually worse, in my view, when you weren't actually brought up with it -- you've chosen to buy into it. Maybe that's just me, though.
On reflection Bell was far more than symbolic
Less and less locally sourced players since Bosman stops the sectarian fire burning too bright?
Or is the opposite true just occurs to me
?
My cousin (Hun) once got an autographed pic of a Hunco team signed by Brown and Bob Malcolm who wrote FTP underneath, when he saw that he called Malcolm a prick and walked off.
I remember Bob did the same to a wee kid, whose mum went ballistic and went public with it.
The problem with Bell was he had daily access to all Rangers players which allowed him to spread unionist drivel as normality to all their players young and old.
Yeah, I never expected to see Brian Laudrup cutting about Belfast. The thicker guys like Gascoigne were more vulnerable.
Joe Louis the boxer was nicknamed the Brown Bomber.
I presume Bob Malcolm is just very thick.
Keep watching him...
"Show us the deeds"
This article from When Saturday Comes, which I rate with Nutmeg as both highly recommended, informative and unbiased makes some of your points @Jack K.
I'm not so optimistic in the assertion that the vast amounts of money being harvested by Celtic and Rangers in Europe will change anything for the better on several levels though.
My cynicism would be confirmed if Gorams funeral is held one week today. Hope I'm wrong.
Firm Favourites: Old Firm
Religion and football remain a potent and unpleasant mix. Dianne Millen finds the Old Firm may have ulterior reasons to distance themselves from bigotwww.wsc.co.uk
BIG G
The article is 18 years old but it states the Old Firm will do whatever is required if there is lots of money at stake. UEFA have proved that in recent years, easily bringing Celtic and Rangers to heal when they have deemed it necessary.This article from When Saturday Comes, which I rate with Nutmeg as both highly recommended, informative and unbiased makes some of your points @Jack K.
I'm not so optimistic in the assertion that the vast amounts of money being harvested by Celtic and Rangers in Europe will change anything for the better on several levels though.
My cynicism would be confirmed if Gorams funeral is held one week today. Hope I'm wrong.
Firm Favourites: Old Firm
Religion and football remain a potent and unpleasant mix. Dianne Millen finds the Old Firm may have ulterior reasons to distance themselves from bigot
BIG G
It's supernatural to suggest anyone's less than complimentary opinion about him is going to make any difference to him now.
Looked up Eric Brown the golfer yesterday.Apparently there was another Eric Brown known as 'bomber'.
Likewise, I see no point in kicking a corpse
Common nickname for the surname Brown. My Ma’s maiden name was Brown, one of her brothers had the nickname Bomber.
I agree. But one can rise above his attitudes - and the whole thing - by calmly and respectfully marking his passing. Sometimes taking the higher ground is also a refutation.