18 Jun 2016 20:04:30
I just read a ridiculous article on This is Anfield, complete balderdash, gibberish from one Sachin Nakrani, suggesting that our old #15 and homecoming queen Danny Sturridge didn't receive as much love from our fans because of his skin pigmentation (in this case black) .

The first point I dispute is in fact that Donald Sturridge does not receive much love from the Liverpool fans. I for one am full of adoration for Daniel and am very grateful to him for his goals for the club.

He's a real Vulture (reportedly played by Hollywood bigshot Michael Keaton) inside the box, puts real Venom into his shots, in fact the user eddiebrock99 I was wondering if you'd know anything about this (whether it's to do with the symbiote or not) . Honestly though he causes Carnage inside the box and is always (Green) Gobbling his chances up.

But really to suggest that Tom Holland is not loved by the fans because of his skin colour is the dumbest thing I ever did read for goodness sake: how do you explain the cult hero status of players such as Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure and the most obvious one El Hadji Diouf? It really is beggars belief that these editors on TIA allowed this article, must be struggling for ideas or some such.

1.) 18 Jun 2016
18 Jun 2016 20:49:54
Haha, I haven't seen the article, but I'll be sure not to give it a hit now.

2.) 18 Jun 2016
18 Jun 2016 22:03:28
You miss the point completely, which isn't surprising given the topic. He's talking about unconscious bias. But I do find the argument using sturridge specifically difficult tho. Of had more time woyld look more deep into it.

3.) 18 Jun 2016
18 Jun 2016 22:51:37
Faithinworks, it is total BS to suggest Liverpool fans have a bias against black players. John Barnes is regarded by myself and many others as probably the second best player in the clubs history after Dalglish.

Anyone claiming Sturridge is under appreciated due to pigmentation is clutching at straws, and trying to pull a non-existent race card.

I suppose we also hate Can for being Muslim?

Or Kolo, Clyne, Sakho, Ibe, Benteke, Ojo and Origi for being black?

Don't even point that finger at English football because we are the least racist country on the planet, and I won't hear it. Total BS.

I am quite frankly disgusted and offended that such an accusation has been levelled at Liverpool fans. Especially when a good majority of our fans reside on other continents including Africa, Asia and South America (where large portions of the population are darker skinned) .

That article isn't worth the time it took to write.

4.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 01:16:19
I was going to stay out of this argument but to claim this is the least racist country on the planet is incorrect. However, with regard to sturridge the unconscious bias argument may have some credence for some sections of the fanbase but on the whole i would say that it is not a factor for the majority.

5.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 06:25:48
MK -he ain't talking about hate. The research is clear that unconscious bias exists. Its natural, but as I said I struggle to see how it applies to sturridge. Altho his connection to management positions is somwthing worth looking into further. And it's a debate that is better served by leaving the hyperbole to the side.

6.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 09:11:56
Before Barnes signed for us he used to get monkey noises aimed at him at Anfield bananas where thrown on the pitch once. ( I defo remember that) . Don't think it's a colour thing with Sturridge why he has fans so split.

7.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 10:25:42
Oh boy my Studgey senses are tingling anyway must swing as I've got some Uncle Ben's in the microwave and my aunt may be hungry.

8.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 10:30:06
What a load of old tosh.

9.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 10:42:51
I'm sorry but to think that this country is the least racist is extremely naive! I can tell you first hand that it definitely does exist. Consciously and unconsciously! Also, in many live games in this country there is racial slurs, insults and names called out to black and mixed race players when something goes wrong in a game from the stands. I don't know about this Danny S situation but it wouldn't surprise me if racism has been involved. Remember Rio Ferdinand getting racist tweets after his wife died? The John Barnes/ bananas on the pitch example said earlier is also relevant. All that has changed is the medias ability to cover such things up.

10.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 10:47:10
England not racist?
I have worked in most of the major European countries and England is probably the most racist if I'm honest.

11.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 10:49:11
Scousejohn that was at goodison, but at the time of his signing which was around 86 I think most grounds in England were full of bigots and there was a lot of negativity around diggers signing but he was the ground breaking player of his generation and more or less single handedly change people's opinions of black players in the game, rio ferdinand was a Liverpool supporter simple because John Barnes played for us. But let's be clear, there was a lot of negativity around him signing from Liverpool supporters although having said that there wasn't a lot of negativity towards howie gayle but maybe that's because he was a local lad I don't know.

With regards to the banana throwing incident it was definitely at goodison because I was there and witnessed it first hand.

Sturridge doesn't receive " as much love from the fans " because he's black is complete nonsense, he's shown no connection to the supporters whatsoever since he signed and is metaphorically kept at arms length by the fans in the same way Michael Owen was, not because of his skin colour be because he hasn't t immersed himself in the club and it's fans just as Owen didn't which was why we didn't take to him and his subsequent switch to Madrid for peanuts and then man United shows we were correct to do so ( or are we anti Welsh now? ) . This country is now a PC nightmare with people looking for something which isn't there. People need to get a grip.

12.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 13:07:17
Spot on Waro. Glad I got to read it before the usual trolls you attract got the thread deleted. Brilliant post though buddy. English Football has come a long way since the 80's.

And just to clarify, I did not say that English football didn't still suffer from racism. It does. But across every league on the planet, it is definitely up there with the most ethnically diverse and accepting leagues there are.

If you look at the national sides and even the league football for Italy, Spain, Greece, Russia, Poland etc it is very much dominated by white European players. Because opportunities in those countries are still limited if you are of a certain ethnic heritage.

The likes of England, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium are light years ahead in terms of racial acceptance. I am proud of that, which is why I completely refute the accusation that Sturridge is a victim of racism from Liverpool fans. It is total nonsense, and I don't care how much I upset the PC brigade.

13.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 14:45:24
My sentiments exactly MK! I'm sure there'll be someone waiting to attack your post though, probably best to ignore the next set of replys (should the thread not be deleted of course)

14.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 00:46:48
I know he doesn't heal as quick as a lizard but he is an electro player with a really spider sense for where the goal is our friendly neighbourhood sturridge its clear to see knows with great power comes great responsibility and there's no mysterio in knowing us fans love him even if he has the same skin colour as uncle Ben the lad is simply a kingpin or daredevil.

I say it's a marvel however the two most common adjectives used to describe our studge is amazing and spectacular Not to mention there are certainly no cobwebs in his brain as I would go as far as to say he has genius level intellect unlike a heartedly rhino but closer to an octopus like old Paul if he were a doctor so to speak. I love sturridge so much in fact if he requested I would give him an mj before every game and If sturridge were to ever leave I would have to see an agony aunt may be.

15.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 17:34:51
Perhaps the unconscious bias thing is referring to often trotted out phrases like 'he has an attitude problem' when he has in fact shown no attitude problem what-so-ever? The perception of Sturridge is definitely different but what that is down to exactly i'm not sure.

Really don't agree with you at all Waro (your take on Sturridge that is) - I think Sturridge has conducted himself impeccably since arriving at Anfield and has shown the fans plenty of love - I remember the video of him getting out his car and dancing + talking with fans. What has he done to alienate himself from fans? I don't get it.

16.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 18:08:02
MK and Waro- as you can see, I don't agree with all your points but I appreciate both your points of view. What I will ask is to please not dismiss a point of view that has been personally experienced and seen. However, I do not have a PC point of view (the whole pc concept to me is just another form of control which I don't agree with. ) I find this a interesting debate to be honest. You won't find any trolling from me and I really hope no one writes anything stupid to get this thread deleted! If either or both of you write a reply, I look forward to seeing it as I appreciate the honest posts you put up. Cheers lads, KB.

17.) 19 Jun 2016
19 Jun 2016 22:45:17
Wow like Sturridge this post has really caused a divide amongst the fanbase. Can't wait to see how this discussion pans out and Franco I really am loving it but it really is a Shocker to me and I don't want to sound like Mister Negative here but how much longer do you see this Gwen on for? Anyway time for a pint down the Paris Ship and Mitre before training tomorrow.