Billy Boston knighthood call: campaign launched for Wigan legend

[archiekeith]

Well simply that a "RL is a working class northern game" mindset is unlikely to help it market itself into areas that don't fit that definition.

I am conscious that politics are not allowed on this forum so will choose my words carefully with that in mind, other than to say that "ruling class" is subjective, and there are decent honest, and indecent dishonest people in all walks of life, irrespective of "class".

Very true.

Just to be clear, I didn't say that "RL is a working class northern game", nor do I have that mindset. I'm afraid that you are making assumptions about my views. My comments were not about RL but about the "honours system".

I don't want to have an argument with you, but you seem to have made assumptions and connections from my comment about the prejudices of the ruling class and applied them to RL.

I watched Billy B, unfortunately only for the last 3 years or so of his career, and met him twice. He is absolutely one of my heroes and deserves to be recognised at every level of society and in every part of the country.

When it comes to "honouring" him, or anyone else, I personally don't see any merit in doing so through a system which was set up by, and designed to maintain, a stratum of our society based on antiquated views of inherited class.

Many noble people have refused such honours for similar, or other, reasons: LS Lowry, Ernest Bevin, Alan Bennett, William Gladstone, Charles Babbage, JK Rowling, Jack Jones, JB Priestley, Ramsay McDonald. So it's hardly an anti-RL view.

So what?

[archiekeith]

Inobane springs to mind Morley

[archiekeith]

Inobane springs to mind Morley

Apology inurbane

[Wintergreen]

Well simply that a "RL is a working class northern game" mindset is unlikely to help it market itself into areas that don't fit that definition.

I am conscious that politics are not allowed on this forum so will choose my words carefully with that in mind, other than to say that "ruling class" is subjective, and there are decent honest, and indecent dishonest people in all walks of life, irrespective of "class".

Very true.

Just to be clear, I didn't say that "RL is a working class northern game", nor do I have that mindset. I'm afraid that you are making assumptions about my views. My comments were not about RL but about the "honours system".

I don't want to have an argument with you, but you seem to have made assumptions and connections from my comment about the prejudices of the ruling class and applied them to RL.

I watched Billy B, unfortunately only for the last 3 years or so of his career, and met him twice. He is absolutely one of my heroes and deserves to be recognised at every level of society and in every part of the country.

When it comes to "honouring" him, or anyone else, I personally don't see any merit in doing so through a system which was set up by, and designed to maintain, a stratum of our society based on antiquated views of inherited class.

Many noble people have refused such honours for similar, or other, reasons: LS Lowry, Ernest Bevin, Alan Bennett, William Gladstone, Charles Babbage, JK Rowling, Jack Jones, JB Priestley, Ramsay McDonald. So it's hardly an anti-RL view.

Didn't you?

Rugby League has always been a working man's sport (not excluding you, Josie, just using a common phrase), and we don't need concessions or awards from the toffs.

[archiekeith]

he certainly knows a list of champagne socialists

[morley pie eater]

[/b]
Very true.

Just to be clear, I didn't say that "RL is a working class northern game", nor do I have that mindset. I'm afraid that you are making assumptions about my views. My comments were not about RL but about the "honours system".

I don't want to have an argument with you, but you seem to have made assumptions and connections from my comment about the prejudices of the ruling class and applied them to RL.

I watched Billy B, unfortunately only for the last 3 years or so of his career, and met him twice. He is absolutely one of my heroes and deserves to be recognised at every level of society and in every part of the country.

When it comes to "honouring" him, or anyone else, I personally don't see any merit in doing so through a system which was set up by, and designed to maintain, a stratum of our society based on antiquated views of inherited class.

Many noble people have refused such honours for similar, or other, reasons: LS Lowry, Ernest Bevin, Alan Bennett, William Gladstone, Charles Babbage, JK Rowling, Jack Jones, JB Priestley, Ramsay McDonald. So it's hardly an anti-RL view.

Didn't you?

Rugby League has always been a working man's sport (not excluding you, Josie, just using a common phrase), and we don't need concessions or awards from the toffs.

Fair cop

My intention was to say that there's a condescending or patronising feel about "honours" being given to "ordinary" people, whilst the earldoms and lordships are reserved for the upper classes. Rugby League is in that sense a "working man's sport".

Billy Boston would not and could not be held in higher regard in my eyes whatever words/letters you add before or after his name. He is King Bill after all - I remember joining in when Jimmy Brennan led the chant on the old kop.