Readers' letters from Tuesday 8 Sep 2009

Cheeky commuter

AFTER reading the letter from Weary Commuter (Why are people who don’t work on the buses at rush hour? Postbag, August 29), I would like to ask who does he think he is telling retired people what time to go out and come home? I also worked, for 45 years. I had to stick to time then and I still pay tax 15 years after retiring, so I think I should be allowed to decide what time I go out.

R.S. Stevens, Stockport

Mind your business

I AM nearly 80 and use buses at 8am. I have as much right as you, Weary Commuter, to use the bus. I pay a fare as I am not allowed on free until 9.30am. Stop telling elderly people, or mums with buggies, when to travel. These mums might be going to work and may be having to take their babies early to be minded and then bringing them home after work at 4.30. So Weary Commuter, if you’re that weary and cannot cope, I suggest you stop work, relax, put your feet up, watch TV, have a cup of tea, stop moaning and don’t tell people what time to travel (or when you want them to travel). You’re right, you are naughty. Live and let live.

Happy Traveller

A true sports star

HOW on earth can your correspondent J. Stevens (Postbag, September 2) compare a mere footballer (Duncan Edwards) with the great Muhammad Ali? Ali is a man who is revered around the world. Edwards’ claim to fame was that he played for Manchester United and England (as have many others).He died tragically at a very young age and perhaps never achieved his full potential. On the other hand, Ali achieved everything in his chosen sport from Olympic gold to three times World Heavyweight Champion. You can’t buy the respect and adulation he has from many fans. He had to earn it in the ring, a very lonely and hostile place, unlike a football field with your team mates to support you. Time and time again he proved to the world he was and is the greatest. Not even the boxing board, who banned him for three years could stop him from being the greatest. Even today, with the terrible Parkinson’s disease, he doesn’t complain but simply gets on with it. If J. Stevens compared their achievements in life, how could he possibly say that Duncan Edwards was 10 times the man Ali ever was? One only has to see Ali’s latest tour of these shores to see he is still very much an idol and much loved figure. I stood in the crowd outside Hatton’s Gym in Hyde a week ago to catch a glimpse of this great man and was amazed to see how young some of the crowd was and a good percentage of women as well as men. Young or old, male or female they all knew who Ali is. I doubt that most of that crowd would have known who Duncan Edwards was. I take offence to his statement that had Ali not been born, the world would be a better place to live in, (utter rubbish). Muhammad Ali has rightfully earned his place amongst the most respected sportsman of this era, an achievement which J. Stevens could never accomplish in a thousand lifetimes.

R. Daniel, Woodley

Boxing masterclass

THE visit of Muhammad Ali invokes many boxing memories.I doubt if we shall ever see a heavyweight move with such grace and beauty again.He was a great champion who also championed the cause if his people; he had strong principles. Ali never met that other champion Rocky Marciano. Rocky retired after defeating Archie Moore, who was also defeated first by a young Ali, then known as Cassius Clay.Ali later challenged Rocky to come out of retirment and fight. Only two men ever put Rocky on the canvas. Archie Moore was one and Jersey Joe Walcott was the other. The latter said he hit Rocky with every punch in the book. It was like trying to stop a rhinoceros. We will never know if Ali could have stopped Rocky; the mind boggles at the possibilities.I can understand Ricky Hatton’s admiration for Ali; he is truly a legend in every way and still has grace and dignity. I can only say God bless him. I can’t forget the Rumble in the Jungle – it was boxing mastery.

Tom McGovern, Whalley Range

Sobers was tops

YOU have printed several letters recently regarding the greatest sportsman ever. One reader was in favour of Muhammad Ali and another in favour of Duncan Edwards.In my opinion the greatest sportsman ever was Sir Donald Bradman. His statistics show that he was by far the best batsman ever with a batting average of 99. The second highest batting average is, I think, 59. The only person who comes close is Garry Sobers, who as well as being one of the best batsmen ever was a very good bowler.

D Stott, Salford

No more of this

I DO not want to see column inches, let alone colour photos, of that ageing, deluded idiot Frank Evans, Salford bullfighter. Do us all a favour and let him crawl back under the rock from whence he came. He looks so smug and proud of himself. If only his attention-seeking pastime was a joke, I wouldn’t mind. Shame on Waterstones for inviting this fool to spout his drivel to the public from their premises and shame on, hopefully, the few who go and listen to this self-promoting sadist. I won’t be visiting Waterstones again. I would laugh if a bull got its justifiable revenge on this loser.

Bully For Me, Sale

This is barbaric

HOW shocked and annoyed I was when the MEN decided to print the picture of Frank Evans bull fighting.It is not the kind of sight I want to see in a family newspaper, where condenmnation is normally poured on animal cruelty (quite rightly). The poor animal is pictured with three spears in its back with blood streaming down.As I stared in disbelief at the disgusting site, my five year old son looked over my shoulder and asked me what was happening in the picture.This barbaric practice belongs in the Middle Ages. If the EU has so much power, why is bullfighting not banned? People would go to prison for it if it went on in this country. Why glorify it by giving it column space and a non-judgemental write up? Frank Evans is described as a former butcher. No he’s not, he’s still at it with a vengeance.

B. Marshall, Dukinfield

Sickening

 IF we must have sickening pictures such as the bullfight in could we have one with the real hero (the bull) getting its own back on the bullfighter and goring him?

Betty Temple, Sale