Dear Mr Rhodes

Thank you for your email concerning the comment column by Tom Duncan in the Recorder of February 28.

Mr Duncan has not been in the office, but I have managed to contact him and to explain your feelings and he has expressed his disappointment that the item in his column has been misunderstood.

His comments were made in a manner to describe the emotions of West Ham supporters.

He had no intention of implying that the rape of a person was comparable with the relegation of a football team.

Mr Duncan will be responding to the comments you have made in his next column.


Yours sincerely


Colin Grainger Editor, Newham Recorder Series

My Further Response:

Colin

Thank you for your quick response to my email.

I appreciate what you are saying and I share the feelings of every fan as I have watched nearly every minute of this season. I even understand these thoughts going through a fan’s head but to print them to a public audience in this manor is irresponsible. You state Mr Duncan had no intention of implying that the rape of a person was comparable with the relegation of a football team…

To quote Mr Duncan word for word:

“events at Upton Park this season have been like witnessing the gang rape of someone you love”

Do you really stand by your comments that Mr Duncan had no intention of implying that the rape of a person was comparable with the relegation of a football team?? I personally think the above is conclusive that a comparison was made – you seem an intelligent person and given the education required to hold your position as an editor of a respected local newspaper I’m sure you would agree.

I actually think the bulk of the article was an honest piece of writing but the comparisons made were a grave error of judgement in my opinion.

Regards
Dave