We have come along way since the days of when the only black players were Viv Anderson, Cyril Regis and Laurie Cunningham.
To say they were troopers for the torrents of abuse they must have suffered at away games (all away games) is an understatement
These guys are true legends.
And after them the likes Barnesy, and Fashanus were also legends
I guess it was not until we started getting an influx of continental black players did fans start to become more tolerant.
To be honest though this current crop of black players, I have little time for their moaning.
They have got the world at their feet as @Falstaff pointed out as has Lewis Hamilton.
What does intrigue me is just how few professional players there are of Indian, Pakistani origin there are.
Having spent most of my earlier years in and around Preston, I used to see every Sunday morning pitch after pitch of Asian lads playing our national game in Deepdale.
Where are they represented in our league?
Where is the ādiversityā?
The UK has a massive Asian population, but few if any Asian UK players - if I put on my conspiratorial hat I could say āinstitutional racismā.
I am sure many lads of South Asian descent must be thinking they are being overlooked due to race.
Regardless we have come a long way since the 1970s - black players are some of the best most talented players we have - and I donāt think many of us fans have a racist bone in our bodies.
With all that saidā¦I grew up in a working class for the most part white environment in the industrial north.
I know how loosely the ānā word can be used, along with the ācā word and the āpā word. I hate the terms - having been on the end of the ācā word whilst growing up.
Itās painful and thoughtless, but ten times more so if you are the only one of ethnnicity in the group .
However often these words are used as ābanterā - something is Brits are fond of. I donāt believe there is always malicious intent behind there use, just a bit of ignorance if anything.
But the minute you enter the world of football you are open to banter of all types. First and foremost footie always will be a working class, urban, clannish lads game, so taking away racism from an under educated or ignorant minority is not likely to happen any time soon.
That may offend a few Guardian or Independent readers (most of whom are probably more used to Wimbledon that footie) but it is what it is when you step into the arena of competitive sport.
As a final point I find it hilarious the very thought of being in the Kop end and trying to legislate to thousands of Liverpool supporters what they can and cannot say.
As a final final point one of my class mates at school was a member of the National Front and was a member of the Chelsea head hunters at 14 yrs old. He used to travel down to London every other week from outside Liverpool - he was by all metrics a racist - but one of his best mates was black.
Go figure.
