BLACK MARK FOR BLOGGER DALE

05-02-2009

It’s time for Tory blogger Iain Dale to apologise after casting a vicious slur on the supporters of West Bromwich Albion on Radio 4’s Today programme yesterday.

Dale – a West Ham fan and creator of the popular blog Iain Dale’s Diary (iaindale.blogspot.com/) - was being interviewed about Carol Thatcher’s “golly” gaffe and taking a fairly blasé view about her comments.

He reckoned that presenter Adrian Chiles, as a WBA supporter, “would hear far worse” every time he went to The Hawthorns.

Really? He certainly wouldn’t hear much racist language – if any.

Doesn’t he realise that The Baggies forefront of combating racism by fielding Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson in the late 1970s?

Obviously not.

He’s obviously equally unaware that when a black journeyman called Roger Joseph made a fleeting appearance in 1997 he was given a rapturous welcome.

Why? Because fans were reacting to the ending of previous manager Alan Buckley’s apparent “whites only” signing policy.

Phrases like “golliwog” may be commonplace in Iain Dales circles, but they certainly ain’t tolerate at The Hawthorns.

Now say sorry, Mr Dale.

See Iain Dale's response here

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