Der Hammer

[myf]

The problem with singing his name is that nothing rhymes with it,
we didn't even sing it when he played for us as 'there's only one Thomas Hitzlsperger' doesn't fit

it was always "de de de de hitzselsperger" as in pigbag

[Lizz]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25696033

Robbie Fowler admits being embarrassed, Robbie Savage admits lack of memory.

[Mister E]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25696033

Robbie Fowler admits being embarrassed, Robbie Savage admits lack of memory.

interestingly in that article, they mention Justin Fashanu as a "former" gay footballer but not the fact that he committed suicide (apparently for being so); a strange omission if the journalist wanted to really make an impact.
I have found the coverage of the Hitz' announcement a little circus-like, instead of challenging and progressive.

[Olneythelonely]

Didn't Fashanu take his life because there was a warrant for his arrest on a sex offence? I'm sure I read that somewhere.

[Lizz]

On a good day I can only tolerate listening to so much 6-0-6 with Robbie Savage, which tonight was probably no more than 5 minutes. Did he mention anything about Tommy?

[Dave Cooper please]

I wouldn't disagree with a word but would continue to wonder if Hitz would want to be, or would deserve to be the standard bearer you want him to be.

I think by coming out when he has and reading his interviews that is exactly what he would like to be.
Deserve? Well why not? To be at the forefront of a campaign to rid our sport of homophobia? It seems that is exactly why he has come out when he has.

[Lizz]

Interesting article by Andy Dunn in the Sunday Mirror - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andy-dunn-column-thomas-hitzlsperger-3013005

[saunders_heroes]

Interesting article by Andy Dunn in the Sunday Mirror - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andy-dunn-column-thomas-hitzlsperger-3013005

Nothing interesting in that at all. I'm no fan of Cameron but his tweet was in support of anti homophobia. What the hell has Hitzelsperger coming out got to do with the price of match tickets?
It's alright Dunn saying "so what", but in reality it IS a big deal for a gay footballer to come out, no matter how much he tries to play it down.

[Clampy]

Interesting article by Andy Dunn in the Sunday Mirror - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andy-dunn-column-thomas-hitzlsperger-3013005

Nothing interesting in that at all. I'm no fan of Cameron but his tweet was in support of anti homophobia. What the hell has Hitzelsperger coming out got to do with the price of match tickets?
It's alright Dunn saying "so what", but in reality it IS a big deal for a gay footballer to come out, no matter how much he tries to play it down.

Using a story about a footballer coming out as gay as a chance to have a go at David Cameron is the kind of low crass journalism we have come to expect from that paper.

[Rudy65]

Didn't Fashanu take is like because there was a warrant for his arrest on a sex offence? I'm sure I read that somewhere.

Agreed, it was more than being gay. He had a tough upbringing which may have led to a number of life long issues with depression etc

[Legion]

After moving to the United States, in 1998 he was questioned by police when a seventeen-year-old boy accused him of sexual assault, for which he was charged, and an arrest warrant for him was issued in Howard County, Maryland on April 3, 1998, but he had already left his flat. According to his suicide note, fearing he would not get a fair trial because of his homosexuality, he fled to England where he killed himself in London in May of that year. His suicide note stated that the sex was consensual.

Taken from Wiki.

[eamonn]

There's been a couple of books written about Justin in the past 18 months, I was in touch with one of the authors.
After reading the story of his life in one of the old football monthlies during the late 90's it was always one of the most affecting true-life stories that stayed with mewhen growing-up.

Here's a really good documentary made shortly after he died which I tried to track down for years unsuccessfully. Wonders of youtube now, no effort required:

[Pete3206]

Interesting article by Andy Dunn in the Sunday Mirror - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andy-dunn-column-thomas-hitzlsperger-3013005

Nothing interesting in that at all. I'm no fan of Cameron but his tweet was in support of anti homophobia. What the hell has Hitzelsperger coming out got to do with the price of match tickets?
It's alright Dunn saying "so what", but in reality it IS a big deal for a gay footballer to come out, no matter how much he tries to play it down.

Using a story about a footballer coming out as gay as a chance to have a go at David Cameron is the kind of low crass journalism we have come to expect from that paper.

As mean spirited and and ill informed Mirror columnists appear to be (hello Carole Malone), I thought the point of it was to simply say "Big deal, fuss over nothing". And he puts the point across very well.

[Desi]

Thomas Hitzlsperger's plight played out in The Pass in the Royal Court

A new play examines the tricky relationship between sportsmen and their true feelings and in the wake of Thomas Hitzlsperger's announcement makes for fascinating viewing

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10595627/Thomas-Hitzlspergers-plight-played-out-in-The-Pass-in-the-Royal-Court.html

[Clampy]

Interesting article by Andy Dunn in the Sunday Mirror - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andy-dunn-column-thomas-hitzlsperger-3013005

Nothing interesting in that at all. I'm no fan of Cameron but his tweet was in support of anti homophobia. What the hell has Hitzelsperger coming out got to do with the price of match tickets?
It's alright Dunn saying "so what", but in reality it IS a big deal for a gay footballer to come out, no matter how much he tries to play it down.

Using a story about a footballer coming out as gay as a chance to have a go at David Cameron is the kind of low crass journalism we have come to expect from that paper.

As mean spirited and and ill informed Mirror columnists appear to be (hello Carole Malone), I thought the point of it was to simply say "Big deal, fuss over nothing". And he puts the point across very well.

No he did'nt, he unnecessarily dragged the Prime Minister into the argument. He could have just as easily written piece about it not being a big deal in this day and age without trying to score political points.