Chris Ramsey has been sacked by Queens Park Rangers.
Andros Townsend’s father Troy, contends that there is more too it than poor results. “Is it because of the colour of their skin? Or is it because they are bad managers? I know people will say results are not right but there is a lot more to it than that.”
I don’t know if Chris Ramsey is a good coach.
My gut instinct is that he might be.
What I do know, is that unlike his compatriots during his time at Spurs (Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand), Chris was routinely spoken of in high regard.
Of course, I could have got this entirely wrong and Chris is soon to submit a formal complaint of a racially motivated unfair dismissal, or will publicly admit that he was out of his depth as a manager etc etc.
But I don’t believe that’s the case.
What I believe is that then person to blame for the train wreck at Queens Park Rangers wasn’t black – but very white – and his name was Arry Redschnapps.
What Ramsey inherited was unmanageable.
Unfixable.
Arry has a reputation as a footballing supremo, but even he couldn’t fix the mess that he himself created. He in fact bailed, mumbling something about his knee playing up.
It’s depressing that misguided people like Troy Townsend actually exist. By this, I specifically mean, couldn’t he be doing something useful with his time to help people who need help?
Whatever his remit is as Education and Development manager at Kick It Out, things must be pretty slow – if the slim pickings at Loftus Road are his big issue of the day.
I can only presume that Peter Sherbet of the Black Lawyers Society was unavailable as he was busy filing a petition in the High Court for the town of Blackpool to have its name changed to something less incendiary.
It is important that nobody, whatever their skin colour is treated in a prejudiced manner. One must recruit on the basis that one hires the person who can do the job to greatest benefit of all concerned. That should be a given.
This is something that Troy Townsend clearly resents.
“We are talking about the under-representation of black managers in the English game. We have 25% BME players in this country. There are less than 4% in terms of major coaching roles. The stats don’t stack up.”
Nobody – black – white – gay – Australian is ‘owed’ representation in a job market. The assertion is completely ridiculous.
Up the road from me in Leeds there are a number of quite excellent open to the public Chinese food wholesalers. The real deal. Some of the sights and smells can stretch your senses to their limits.
Is Troy’s next equality crusade to demand that these gaffs start taking on black people?
Will he or someone else then stipulate how many of these ‘stat’ friendly employees ought to be gay or have a penchant for dressing up as women?
The reality is that some stereotypes are actually true and this is because they are not just based upon race, or discriminatory practises quite harmless, in fact welcomed but cultural differences in society.
How many halal fried chicken shops are there in Golders Green? Answer – as many as are needed!
How many white gay men work as chefs in Indian restaurants? Answer – as many who are expert enough to prepare that type of cuisine!
Frank Sinclair – unlike Troy Townsend – has a football CV worth a damn.
Sinclair is so right – It should encourage footballing men in the UK who are black, that management is not unobtainable.
If Troy is sincere about helping people up the employment ladder in football, then he’s going to need to put down the race card.
He might also want to ask his brain to slow down a little.
The apple rarely falls far from the tree.
