RIP Tommy Smith

"In 1988, Smith caused considerable controversy after making derogatory comments about black people to author Dave Hill while being interviewed in the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool for a book Hill was writing about black Liverpool F.C player John Barnes. Smith was uncomplimentary about Howard Gayle, a black former Liverpool player with whom Smith had been at the club in the 1970s while the striker was a youth team player, saying that: "Howard suffered from a black man's attitude towards the white man. See, everybody thinks whites have an attitude towards blacks. In reality it's blacks who have a problem with the whites".[5]

Smith later added that in order to gain his respect and friendship, "coloured" people have to learn to "think like the white man" and that he later grew to like Gayle, remarking that "I used to call Howard the 'White Nigger'. Now that is a compliment. It was the only way I could find to describe that I thought he was OK." Smith then went on to comment to Hill that "I'm not prejudiced but if a coon moved in next door, I'd move, like most white people would. If my daughter came home with a nigger, I'd go mad. But I'm only being truthful and normal." "

Posted By: A new PC Mr Creosote on April 13th 2019 at 01:34:47

Message Thread

RIP Tommy Smith (Other Football) - A new PC Mr Creosote, Apr 13, 01:34:47
- not defending what he said (Other Football) - ghostof barry butler, Apr 13, 07:38:24
  - Some black people do have a problem with whites just like some white people... (Other Football) - jimbo, Apr 13, 11:29:57
    - jimbo, most black people who "have a problem with whites" have very good reasons for that (n/m) (Other Football) - Worzel Scrimmage, Apr 13, 18:57:51
  - Yeah, that Saville bloke, what a diamond (n/m) (Other Football) - Augustus Pablo, Apr 13, 10:55:02
  - ^ Chilon of Sparta (n/m) (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Apr 13, 07:41:07
    - I'm as disgusted as you regarding the remarks (Other Football) - ghostof barry butler, Apr 13, 07:47:36
      - Innit (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Apr 13, 07:51:08
        
        It'll probably just say "You is well old Grandad, innit" on your gravestone (n/m) (Other Football) - Augustus Pablo, Apr 13, 10:53:44
        
        I hope I iz well old grandad innit bruv when I pop off (n/m) (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Apr 13, 16:07:14
- 😮 that’s pretty shocking even for 30 odd years ago, what a cnut (n/m) (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Apr 13, 07:35:40
- I'll have to call my token black friend "white nigger" now I know it's a mark of respect (n/m) (Other Football) - Worzel Scrimmage, Apr 13, 04:14:17
  - Hope they wont be saying the same about Elvis Costello when he pegs it (n/m) (Other Football) - Augustus Pablo, Apr 13, 10:54:36

Reply to Message

In order to add a post to the WotB Message Board you must be a registered WotB user.

If you are not yet registered then please visit the registration page. You should ensure that their browser is setup to accept cookies.