Linekar's Outburst.

[NoMercy]

https://news.sky.com/story/may-wants-to-welcome-england-team-to-downing-street-after-world-cup-heroics-11434670

What a disgraceful and disrespectful attitude towards Conservative politicians. The whole country is proud of England and their achievements and, rightly so, were queuing up to congratulate the Sqad on their stunning attempt to bring the World Cup home.

What a twonk! No doubt his reaction is political. If Corbyn had extended an invite, Linekar's response would probably have been entirely different.

[NoMercy]

//I suspect Mr Lineker would have a similar view regardless of the party in government.//

Ruddy 'ell, AH, are you actually being serious? I don't doubt for one minute that if Corbyn, Abbott or Khan were offering the invite, Linekar's response would have been much more gracious.

England have been received in the past at Downing Street and, as a former player, there's every likelihood he's been a guest in the past. I don't recall him spouting from his soapbox back then.

[237SJ]

I tend to agree with Gary Linekar. I have met him a couple of times (very nice chap)

[ummmm]

I tend to agree with him too.

[murraymints]

when it is a tradition for sporting "heroes" to be welcomed by Downing Street since the year dot, how on earth can anyone agree with his delusional statement...doesn't matter who is in residence at the time, the public reception goes ahead... he has an over inflated sense of self importance and ego..as if he is anyone to take notice of in matters political..he's a footie player !! and chomper of crisps... he needs to climb down from his self built pillar of importance in this world...

[NoMercy]

Okay, let's say your neighbour, who has never gone out of his way to hurt you or cause offence, but is someone whom you just don't like, invites you to his BBQ this coming Saturday, to say thanks for what you've done for the local community.

Would you respond with ... "Oh purlease. Stick your invite where the sun doesn't shine. I wouldn't be seen dead celebrating with you and you're only asking to make yourself look good. Get stuffed!" ???

Or would you make an excuse and behave in a dignified manner?

Linekar should be ashamed.

[Neveracrossword]

Wasn't Lineker's tweet sent BEFORE any invitation to Downing Street? I thought he was simply accusing Boris of jumping on the bandwagon with the latter's rush to congratulate the team? Maybe I've misread your link?

[Kromovaracun]

It does irritate me enormously that politicians feel the need to participate in the soccer cult. I very much doubt May (or Cameron before her) cares in the least bit about the game but yet she feels the need to constantly pretend like she does. I would much rather they left it well alone. Maybe then those of us with no interest in soccer might be permitted to forget about it!

[gness]

Well I wouldn’t put it quite like that, NoM.
But if he was one of those responsible for making it more and more difficult for our children to access sport, music and the arts in school and to excel in those areas I would politely decline his invitation. X

[NoMercy]

Kromo, England represented us on the world stage. Whilst not victorious, they were the pride of the nation. For the nation's MPs to say, "Hey, well done. C'mon over and have a drink and let's toast your efforts, in time-honoured tradition" ...

Is it a crime to be English and proud nowadays? Is it a felony to recognise, and show grattitude for, any level of achievement attained by a team of Englishmen.

I wonder, should Croatia lift the Winners' Trophy on Sunday night, would the Croats denounce the very suggestion of a small gesture of congratulations from Andrej Plenković on behalf of the country? I shouldn't imagine so. Hey ho!

[Garaman]

He is accusing politicians of jumping on the bandwagon to improve their own image because he suspects deep down they couldn't give a toss. Probably true isn't it?

[murraymints]

perhaps so..but protocol for years..

[Kromovaracun]

//England represented us on the world stage. Whilst not victorious, they were the pride of the nation.//

What does this even mean? How do they represent anyone?

//Is it a crime to be English and proud nowadays? Is it a felony to recognise, and show grattitude for, any level of achievement attained by a team of Englishmen. //

What?

No, lots of people are proud to be English. What does that have to do with soccer?

[Kromovaracun]

Honestly people get so weird and tetchy if you suggest that maybe it doesn't actually matter very much...

[RobNorth]

Many of these tweets, like this one, are just saying "look at me"

Politicians jump on any old bandwagon as a matter of course - we see all manner of people at no 10, Olympic athletes, even the Gallagher brothers.....but we don't have protests about it from their associates.

[gness]

Hey, come and have a drink....let us bask in your glory despite everything we put in your way to get here...how difficult we make it for you.....
If they said that, NoM I'd be happy for them to go to Downing Street.....and perhaps put in a word or two for the children and young people who struggle to represent your country.....x

[NoMercy]

//But if he was one of those responsible for making it more and more difficult for our children to access sport, music and the arts in school and to excel in those areas I would politely decline his invitation.//

Gness, whilst those things are desirable, they neither meet the criteria of necessity nor basic "human rights". Nor is owning a pony or having a chauffeur-driven limousine and mobile hairdresser on standby for your high-school prom.

Our NHS is crumbling under the weight of non taxing-paying immigrants, our schools are overcrowded and their standards falling, we are enduring a housing crisis and crime is soaring at an alarming rate. Those are the things that require funding / addressing more urgently than the reduction in the provision and funding for the arts.

Regardless on your political persuasion, GL should not have publicly embarrased himself or been so horribly rude in full view of the twitteratisphere.

[gness]

Oh dear... :-(

[NoMercy]

Quite, gness.

Would I be more troubled, looking back, on a childhood deprived of violin lessons, or a childhood spent in temporary housing and access only to a communal bathroom, in a crime-ridden neighbourhood?

Hmmm, that's a toughie.

People can and will always be exceedingly generous, unless they themselves are fitting the bill.

[Barmaid]

I much preferred him playing for spurs and England. He was a good player, a gentleman and a great ambassador for the sport. I used to see him play at wemberlee and as often as I could in the late 80s and early 90s.

Trouble with social media is that it gives any twit a voice.

[New Judge]

“ ’We would certainly like to host a reception for the England football team, who did so well in Russia,’ the spokewoman announced in response to questions from journalists.”

Before they get the taxpayer funded Champers uncorked, it might be as well to park the hysterical hype for a moment and examine precisely how well they did.

They came joint third in a competition where realistically only half a dozen or so of the thirty-two entrants had a chance of winning. They played six games and lost two. Of their four victories, two were against sides who, were it the FA Cup, would probably have been non-league sides who made it to the third round. They beat Columbia (not the greatest of South American sides) and Sweden. Finally they came up short against a team from a country with a population less than half that of Greater London.

Yes, they did OK, probably one round better than most people expected. But a Downing Street Reception for winning four out of six football matches? Nah! But I suppose that’s par for the course these days. Mediocrity brings great rewards and given the country’s inexplicable mania for football, any government will jump on its bandwagon – however mediocre it might be.