FORMER LIVERPOOL PLAYER Howard Gayle has explained his reasons for turning down a Member of the British Empire nomination.
Gayle, who became Liverpool’s first black player in 1977, was put forward for the honour – commonly known as an MBE and awarded by the constitutional monarchy in the United Kingdom for outstanding achievements, public service and charitable work – on account of his involvement with the anti-racism football educational charity Show Racism the Red Card.
But the 58-year-old felt to accept the honour would be a “betrayal” of his ancestors in Africa who suffered under British colonial rule.
In a post on his Facebook page, Gayle said: “Most of you who are on my FB page are aware of the work that I do tackling racism and the work I do for Show Racism the Red Card.
“And for that work, yesterday I was nominated for a MBE. Unfortunately I had to decline the nomination for the reason that my ancestors would be turning in their graves after how Empire and Colonialism had enslaved them.
“This is a decision that I have had to make and there will be others who may feel different and would enjoy the attraction of being a Member of the British Empire and [having] those three letters after their name.
“But I feel that it would be a betrayal to all of the Africans who have lost their lives or who have suffered as a result of Empire.”
Gayle began his career at Liverpool and spent time on loan with Fulham and Newcastle before spells with Birmingham City, Sunderland and Stoke City.
In 1987, the winger moved to Blackburn Rovers, where he scored 29 goals in a five-year stay at Ewood Park.
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Strong convictions. Very admirable.
He had no problem in accepting the queens currency though.
Pity Sir AP didnt see it that way.
Or living under the protection of the British Empire
You’re right Alan, fair play to you. However I accept the Queens head myself living here in the north. But you reckon both myself and Howard protest too much and really have no room for protest because we support the British Empire by working for her majesty. But the thing is you see it’s not my fault or Howard’s fault that the British Empire encroaches upon the area in which we live. We are entitled to make a living at the very least and though we might not like elements of our history that have created the world in which we live, we can at least make some attempts to create a better world without having to commit hari kiri at the same time. Your argument seems to be ‘if you don’t like it go and live somewhere else’, something which the original founders of the British Empire would have liked us to have done. Well I’m sorry I’m going nowhere.
Alan sorry, two things wrong here. Firstly I’m not a Tyrone man and neither do I want to be, and secondly Howard Gayle didn’t accept his gong because of his ancestral background. Whether he personally came to live in the home of the empire or not is not the point, the fact is his forefathers probably had to come and live in the home of the empire because they had been raped and pillaged by the home of that empire and if they hadn’t come to live in that place they probably would have had an existence that is experienced in the colonies in the carribean and africa on a daily basis. What do you suggest his ancestors should have done. He did mention slavery also and as far as I know this was about giving people little choice. As far as I can see there is little difference between Howard Gayle and myself.
Gus excellent replies. Controlled, mature and accurate however I must lower the tone. Apologies for this. Alan b you’re some pr!ck.
Alan b, you’re deplorable man. Give it a break.
Howard Gayle didn’t “come from his own country” he was born in Toxteth , Liverpool.
Yes Paddy he didn’t ‘come from his own country’ but his parents/grandparents probably did. He was born in Toxteth but like many Irish the origins of his family are likely elsewhere.
Fair play to him countries like England have ruined half the world through colonialism.
Ruined or developed?
Developed????…..You need to brush up on your history mate….Plundered, pillaged and committed mass genocide around the world, including our own country.
Ian just as a matter of interest do you support any English football team?
No I don’t. I like watching football though.
Alan, I’m a Liverpool supporter since before I knew what colonialism was. Now that I’m a lot older I can say that I’m no fan of British imperialism but that isn’t going to affect the team I support. They’re two entirely different matters.
In todays modern world of over the top Political Correctness it takes alot to stand up for your beliefs.
Fair play to you howard.a man of principles…that would be if an Irish man would accept a knight hood….hold on a minute sir Bob did…
Sir Robert is from Blackrock. They long for a return to the motherland over that way.
Damn right. I wouldn’t take one either
I think you’re safe.
Fair play to him.
A man of conviction.
Bono, Geldolf and the rest of ye take note
Yes Phil. Also former ITN Newsreader Trevor McDonald take note and as for Irish people, didn’t the late Terry Wogan also receive a knighthood?
In fairness to Bono, he doesn’t use it. Nobody calls him Sir or anything like that.
Niall Quinn
Geldof or Niall Quinn couldn’t accept an honoury title because they are not citizens of a Commonwealth country. People like Tony O’Reilly could because they were born in Ireland before it became a Republic.
in other words..he told them to shove it up their jacksie…fair play to him
Hero – love when people turn down those sham honours
He’s a wee bit of a drama queen
Well you’re a dick.
Why cos I don’t toe the populist line , if it wasn’t for Britain , he would be off catching and selling goats for a living
No, it’s because you’re a sad b*stard looking for attention on the internet by making #edgy comments.
Jack trade and education are things a country can adopt with being colonized.
Jaysus Britain must be proud of you Jack Napier.
Not my fault someone pulls a race card to gain attention , Irish people have accepted this award , Irish also suffered too. Can’t understand why so many of ye are falling for this crap
Fair play to him
“Waits for Catbal Sheehan to write an anti British comment…”
You could at least get the spelling of his name right
Pulling the Race card or what , time to
move on
Absolutely! What a hypocrite.
You’d think he would have excepted on the basis on how things have changed now , I mean look at the Polish people and how they have moved on
denzel washington played for Liverpool ?
Yep, little-known fact. Didn’t quite work out in the long run so he took acting classes as the football dream died. I admire people who aren’t afraid to make a career change.
Howard is a man of principle who is trying to change the system as best he can.Having the courage of his convictions to turn down an “honour” from the very establishment who created the evils he sees wrong in the world is more of an honour for his bravery. Gus Lennon your points are spot on and get right to the very root of the toxic nature of empire, well said, sir. Anyone else who disagrees with Howard and Gus really needs to take a crash course in history. To disagree with such noble and principled stances is to be a tool of the imperial establishment.