[BalisPen]

After having an all British line up under TP a few seasons ago, I noticed yesterday that only CA and SJ were the only none black players starting yesterday.

It reminded me of the time the vilest had only Shaun teale and Coke head bos in team that was disgustingly called Aston N??? Er by scummy racists under fat Ron.

In theory with Al Habsi and Zohore we could have had 11 start yesterday.

A great legacy to our pioneering diversity.

Let's hope they continue to do the business on the pitch.

On another note I really like the clubs efforts to promote diversity with random rainbow flags etc, etc.

The more fans we can attract from all communities the better imo.

[Atomic]

After having an all British line up under TP a few seasons ago, I noticed yesterday that only CA and SJ were the only none black players starting yesterday.

It reminded me of the time the vilest had only Shaun teale and Coke head bos in team that was disgustingly called Aston N??? Er by scummy racists under fat Ron.

In theory with Al Habsi and Zohore we could have had 11 start yesterday.

A great legacy to our pioneering diversity.

Let's hope they continue to do the business on the pitch.

On another note I really like the clubs efforts to promote diversity with random rainbow flags etc, etc.

The more fans we can attract from all communities the better imo.

Al Habsi isn't black.

In any case it's not something that should be commented on. It doesn't matter whether the players are black, white or blue and yellow hoops.

[tuamigos]

sorry but why even raise the point?

[BalisPen]

Al Habsi isn't black.

In any case it's not something that should be commented on. It doesn't matter whether the players are black, white or blue and yellow hoops.

Isn't he I suggest you look again.

I didn't say it mattered, I just commented on it as it unusual and a first for us, no other reason.

[Atomic]

Isn't he I suggest you look again.

I didn't say it mattered, I just commented on it as it unusual and a first for us, no other reason.

If it doesn't matter why mention it? It is patronising.

The only colour that matters is that of the shirt (rightly) so why mention the skin colour of players? I can understand doing that in the seventies but nowadays it's ridiculous and wrong.

Leave "racial" comments to idiots like Adrian Durham. We're better than that.

[tlms-p23]

Can the mods delete this thread? It’s irrelevant and beneath this forum. Thanks.

[gazberg]

Yeah it's a non-issue, whether 9 or 0 it doesn't matter.

[BalisPen]

If it doesn't matter why mention it? It is patronising.

The only colour that matters is that of the shirt (rightly) so why mention the skin colour of players? I can understand doing that in the seventies but nowadays it's ridiculous and wrong.

Leave "racial" comments to idiots like Adrian Durham. We're better than that.

If you read the thread it was a clear reference to the legacy of the 3 degrees and the club's diversity drive in general and a clear up yours to idiots like Durham who branded us racist after the DM sacking.

If you think it's patronising that's your opinion, I think it's still something to be proud of in a world where players are routinely racially abused for missing pens on social media etc, etc.

It was a first for us and reminded me of the the vile team and the abuse they got from some racists and now it is not even notice by some.

[Hunnington Baggie]

Can the mods delete this thread? It’s irrelevant and beneath this forum. Thanks.

agreed, no time for racialists. it's pointless and only sows division.

[Throstletown]

To be honest had not even noticed this and without thinking really hard could not tell Blackburn's teams selection, I don't think it matters.
I don't understand the thread or where it can go to be fair.
   

[BalisPen]

To be honest had not even noticed this and without thinking really hard could not tell Blackburn's teams selection, I don't think it matters.
I don't understand the thread or where it can go to be fair.
   

I thought it was obvious, but here it is again the point is it was unusual in the 70's and early 80's.

Then in mid nineties the vilest did it and some racists dubbed that term I quoted and now 20 or years on most don't even notice it at all.

So we have come a long way, and I am proud that we were pioneers who we were amongst the first to see skill before colour and I said I really liked out diversity flags as it clearly shows us an progressive club that welcomes everyone.

I hope that clarifies it for you.

[Windmill Baggy]

I don't see why it needs to be commented on.

I will say though, that 10 of the starting players yesterday were in fact British, so in that case you're wrong about it being different from the Pulis days anyway!

[BalisPen]

I don't see why it needs to be commented on.

I will say though, that 10 of the starting players yesterday were in fact British, so in that case you're wrong about it being different from the Pulis days anyway!

I didn't say it was different from the tp days, it was just commented on when it happened then under tp as being unique given the influx of foreign players.

If you don't want to make a comment don't, it's not obligatory.

[Atomic]

Mods, can we not just delete this topic?

[OldburyWBA]

There's nothing wrong with the topic, its someone posting an observation, the only thing that is uneasy to me is the comment about all British lineup.

If people don't like it then don't comment on it, scroll past it and it will work its way down the pages.

The only time it will be removed is if people start acting like kids and become unable to discuss things like adults but then those posts and posters will be removed first.

[BalisPen]

Mods, can we not just delete this topic?

Yeah censor it as it is so outrageous and offensive.

Are you for real.

Do you know how Brighton fans are treated by the likes of Millwall fans?

You may be offended by the topic of diversity, but I am not and  I'm happy and proud about and our clubs efforts in that respect.

If you don't like the thread why do you keep reading it and commenting on it?

[KN22]

I have noticed but didn’t think it noteworthy these days. That in itself is hopefully a sign of the times in terms of most people’s attitude.

[Atomic]

There's nothing wrong with the topic, its someone posting an observation, the only thing that is uneasy to me is the comment about all British lineup.

If people don't like it then don't comment on it, scroll past it and it will work its way down the pages.

The only time it will be removed is if people start acting like kids and become unable to discuss things like adults but then those posts and posters will be removed first.

It's 2019 and we're commenting on the colour of our players faces and you don't see anything wrong with that?

Wanting a pat on the back for picking black players is extremely patronising. I'd love to see someone go up to big Bartley or Kenneth and say to them "what do you think of us for playing 9 black players aren't we good to you?"

They are picked on merit because they are good enough and that's all there is to it whatever colour they are.

It's different twenty years ago but now society has to move past that sort of attitude. Equality is just that equal. Race should not even be mentioned.

[OldburyWBA]

It's 2019 and we're commenting on the colour of our players faces and you don't see anything wrong with that?

Wanting a pat on the back for picking black players is extremely patronising. I'd love to see someone go up to big Bartley or Kenneth and say to them "what do you think of us for playing 9 black players aren't we good to you?"

They are picked on merit because they are good enough and that's all there is to it whatever colour they are.

It's different twenty years ago but now society has to move past that sort of attitude. Equality is just that equal. Race should not even be mentioned.

Its someones observation, my opinion on it is irrelevant, theres lots of posts on here that I am uncomfortable with. I can however see what the original poster is getting at with his post hence why its still here.

[Atomic]

Its someones observation, my opinion on it is irrelevant, theres lots of posts on here that I am uncomfortable with. I can however see what the original poster is getting at with his post hence why its still here.

You're the boss.

PS! When I said they are picked on merit I meant that loosely in Bartley's case. 

[WBArgo]

I don't care what colour, religion or nationality they are as long as they play for West Brom and try then I will support all of our players.

[BalisPen]

There's nothing wrong with the topic, its someone posting an observation, the only thing that is uneasy to me is the comment about all British lineup.

If people don't like it then don't comment on it, scroll past it and it will work its way down the pages.

The only time it will be removed is if people start acting like kids and become unable to discuss things like adults but then those posts and posters will be removed first.

That British thing wasn't my observations it was commented on in the press at the time.

I just want the best 11 playing their hearts out trying to win.

I'd take 11 mulumbus/gmacs anytime.

[KYA]

I noticed this a couple of weeks ago and I can see why Balis has commented on it purely because it was unusual nothing more' it would certainly be unusual if we played 9 Englishmen in this era and worthy of discussion.
Actually I think we did play 9 Englishmen yesterday amazing!

[alex1]

The only charcateristic that I think reinforces the identity of the team, is at least a couple of lads in there from the local area. Best of all from the Black Country but otherwise from Birmingham and the Midlands. It's also an argument for keeping the Academy.
After that, whether they are black or white is irrelevant.

[Atomic]

The only charcateristic that I think reinforces the identity of the team, is at least a couple of lads in there from the local area. Best of all from the Black Country but otherwise from Birmingham and the Midlands. It's also an argument for keeping the Academy.
After that, whether they are black or white is irrelevant.

That I agree with. Not only is it nice it also cements local identity and bonds the team and the supporters.

Our kids are promising. Yes we've lost the likes of Barry and Rogers but there are others with talent that have a very real chance of making the grade.

Our academy is working, we should definitely keep it.

[Sted1990]

Isn't he I suggest you look again.

I didn't say it mattered, I just commented on it as it unusual and a first for us, no other reason.

He is from Arab desecent, he is not black.

[NathWBA]

Isn't he I suggest you look again.

I didn't say it mattered, I just commented on it as it unusual and a first for us, no other reason.

id suggest you look again, he’s from Oman, he’s Arab, not black, it’s like saying an Asian person is black.

[albion59]

I never even noticed! The only colour i noticed was the colour of the shirts and how similar they where.

[Albionic]

i refuse to comment on this topic - Doh ! 

[SmethDan]

Boring facts.

The Arabs were heavily into the slave trade. Many slaves were brought to Oman and a variety of middle eastern countries on this basis. Many of these slaves were black. Oman is a multi ethnic country. Just because he is a native of Oman this does not mean Ali Al Habsi cannot be black.

Whatever colour or gender Ali Al Habsi is/assigns to himself is perfectly fine by me though. He could be all of the colours of the rainbow for all I care so long as he puts in a shift for the Albion. One thing I do know is that he most definitely isn't white. This doesn't concern me either.

Of more interest to me personally is that he started his working career as an airport fireman at Seeb International Airport in Muscat. I don't know why, it just is. He is also the co-founder of the Safety First initiative. Regardless of ethnicity we should be in safe hands should emergency call.

https://timesofoman.com/article/29963

[OldburyWBA]

Boring facts.

The Arabs were heavily into the slave trade. Many slaves were brought to Oman and a variety of middle eastern countries on this basis. Many of these slaves were black. Oman is a multi ethnic country. Just because he is a native of Oman this does not mean Ali Al Habsi cannot be black.

Whatever colour or gender Ali Al Habsi is/assigns to himself is perfectly fine by me though. He could be all of the colours of the rainbow for all I care so long as he puts in a shift for the Albion. One thing I do know is that he most definitely isn't white. This doesn't concern me either.

Of more interest to me personally is that he started his working career as an airport fireman at Seeb International Airport in Muscat. I don't know why, it just is. He is also the co-founder of the Safety First initiative. Regardless of ethnicity we should be in safe hands should emergency call.

https://timesofoman.com/article/29963

Can we at least keep it football related please

[SmethDan]

Can we at least keep it football related please

Most certainly Phil, and the Safety First initiative link is football related. They have an affiliation with the Oman FA (OFA) as exampled by the link provided. Just adding some depth to the man as a person beyond his ethnicity and the colour of his skin. Besides, I reckon Ali would probably have been the airport fire team's goalie. Well, that's if they had a football team at the time that is  .

[BalisPen]

Boring facts.

The Arabs were heavily into the slave trade. Many slaves were brought to Oman and a variety of middle eastern countries on this basis. Many of these slaves were black. Oman is a multi ethnic country. Just because he is a native of Oman this does not mean Ali Al Habsi cannot be black.

Whatever colour or gender Ali Al Habsi is/assigns to himself is perfectly fine by me though. He could be all of the colours of the rainbow for all I care so long as he puts in a shift for the Albion. One thing I do know is that he most definitely isn't white. This doesn't concern me either.

Of more interest to me personally is that he started his working career as an airport fireman at Seeb International Airport in Muscat. I don't know why, it just is. He is also the co-founder of the Safety First initiative. Regardless of ethnicity we should be in safe hands should emergency call.

https://timesofoman.com/article/29963

You had the mention that dingle scumbag muscat.

I have trying to forget that animal for years.

Imo he always intended to injure.

[johnnyg]

Nothing wrong with this topic, IMO.
Well done Balis Pen, for raising your observation on our team. I am also proud of the observation you raise.

There are far too many people who are worried about being un-PC these days, and afraid of overstepping the line and insulting someone.

[wappingbaggie]

I agree Balis original remark was a sensible valid post absolutely no justification to delete so well done Mods.

Its relevant to the comments aired on the radio last season about DM's departure and also the pride we all feel about being the first club to properly smash the colour barrier in english football

All the precious posturing of "oh do we have some black players, I'm so right on and colour blind I hadnt even noticed" is risible. People still see colour but they see it in a different context/connotation now.
Do you really think the black players themselves hadnt noticed???

[WBAinDEVON]

Its good to see, are you watching Adrian Durham

[section5]

It's one of those situations when in reality what people are saying is right when they say "it shouldn't be something we notice", "we shouldn't be having this topic" etc. However as seen by Lukaku last night and a quick google search on racist football incidents in the last year,never mind decade and Man Utd meeting with Twitter due to racist abuse received by Pogba. Whether you like it or not or think it should be, this topic is absolutely relevant today as this is what is happening in today's world. Crazy to think i know and a step back to the dark days - or did we ever really step out of the dark days? I feel like this topic though will inevitably bring an element of discussion but being caucasian myself its quite hard to relate to racist abuse as I've never suffered it so for me to then comment and say "I think everything's alright" etc will not carry much value as I'm not able to relate to such an emotive issue and try put myself in that person's shoes (no matter how much you try). It's definately a touchy subject and hard to relate to if you've not experienced it but there is clearly a problem with society and not football (thats my opinion anyway)

[Albionic]

I think that there is more of an issue with non-asian representation in "english" football, TBH.

People will say its a cultural issue with football not being popular in Asian families / society, personally I don't buy that anymore as I can remember Khalsa Rovers playing in the West Brom league 50 years ago and the Asian communities are very largely integrated nowadays.

My onions anyway

[Hull Baggie]

I think that there is more of an issue with non-asian representation in "english" football, TBH.

People will say its a cultural issue with football not being popular in Asian families / society, personally I don't buy that anymore as I can remember Khalsa Rovers playing in the West Brom league 50 years ago and the Asian communities are very largely integrated nowadays.

My onions anyway

Have to say I agree with you. I attend football sessions for Asylum seeker/ refugees run by Tigers Trust/Kicks International in Hull and there are a lot of young men who identify as Asian playing.

Plenty of Asian people at the matches, home and away.

My issue is with the use of British and Black in the original post as it's seems to be suggesting that black people can't be British, but I accept that that isn't the view of Balispen, just how it was reported.

[The Tank]

Should not we be celebrating this ?
Were we not the first club in the top tier to field 3 players, the three degrees.?
More than likely we were also the first club to field 4, 5, etc  and up to 9. (although not, admittedly, now in the top tier)

[ex coseley kid]

I'm with Oldbury and Tank. The original poster was just observing something IMHO. don't think for a minute there was any malice.

I think we have an honourable - and let's be honest probably unintentional - pioneering spirit for 'black' football (God I hate categories and labels).

But let it be recognised - the number of black players who are exceptional seems to be very much on the rise.

I don't know what it is but as a few have said it is blue and white and we are black and white or whatever I don't give a flying one.

[NathWBA]

I have no doubt there was no malice intended in the original post, for me the fact it’s noticed and talked about shows there’s still a problem that exists, the day people don’t notice the colour of the player wearing the shirt but only the colour of shirt the player is wearing is when that problem is finished.

[Windmill Baggy]

I didn't say it was different from the tp days, it was just commented on when it happened then under tp as being unique given the influx of foreign players.

If you don't want to make a comment don't, it's not obligatory.

You made a comparison with the Pulis days, it was pretty clear.

My saying it 'didn't need commenting on' was referring to the point in your original post, but I admit I didn't put my point across very well.

To clarify, my view is that I see nothing remarkable in it. It wouldn't surprise me if many other clubs could have said the same thing on the weekend.

An off the top of my head example: the 'invincible' title-winning Arsenal team under Wenger was made up of predominantly black players (Lauren, Cole, Toure, Campbell, Gilberto, Viera, Henry, Wiltord, with Lehman, Pires, Ljungberg and Bergkamp making up the other key players from that core of 12) and that was 15+ years ago. I would argue now that that team was probably more of a watershed moment, though I'm not sure much if anything was made of it at the time.

Edit: Portsmouth in the cup semi-final against us started with 8 black players: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Muntari, Diop, Diarra, Kanu.

Like I said, there's nothing remarkable in it nowadays.

[chipperclark]

  Pointless post.....we are talking about "FOOTBALL" on this site ...not whether anyone is orange,purple or green.
Who cares?? As long as they wear the shirt and give 100% to West Bromwich Albion...I have no opinion on how many green coloured skin players are playing??

[divinewind]

sorry but why even raise the point?

Exactly. The colour of a person is irrelevant to anyone who hasn't an agenda.

[BalisPen]

Have to say I agree with you. I attend football sessions for Asylum seeker/ refugees run by Tigers Trust/Kicks International in Hull and there are a lot of young men who identify as Asian playing.

Plenty of Asian people at the matches, home and away.

My issue is with the use of British and Black in the original post as it's seems to be suggesting that black people can't be British, but I accept that that isn't the view of Balispen, just how it was reported.

My mentioning the all British team under TP, was a few seasons back and I had not noticed that, but the press had commented, I think WM. In that team, without going back and looking was JL, a black player. I felt immense pride when JL played for England and was gutted that he didn't make the WC squad as he'd played a lot in the qualifiers and would have loved to see him in person in Nziny against Panama, having already been lucky enough to see BF play against Costa Rica in Belo. I still haven't forgiven Royston for not bringing Saido on when he was on the bench for England. So you are quite correct I am not saying black people cannot be British, very much the opposite, and pointing our great diversity and progression in general football terms from the days when Big C got a bullet in the post when he was called up by England.

Pointless post.....we are talking about "FOOTBALL" on this site ...not whether anyone is orange,purple or green.
Who cares?? As long as they wear the shirt and give 100% to West Bromwich Albion...I have no opinion on how many green coloured skin players are playing??

Why don't you write a more insightful post instead of reading something you find pointless?

[BalisPen]

Exactly. The colour of a person is irrelevant to anyone who hasn't an agenda.

So what's my agenda?

[Albionic]

So what's my agenda?

I suspect that you are a male !

[timdon]

I suspect that you are a male !

A male goose perhaps?

[mulliganstired]

I have no doubt there was no malice intended in the original post, for me the fact it’s noticed and talked about shows there’s still a problem that exists, the day people don’t notice the colour of the player wearing the shirt but only the colour of shirt the player is wearing is when that problem is finished.

There is still a problem, just ask Lukaku or Sterling among others, so I don't see why it shouldn't be commented on