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No Asian influence at Headingley

By Will 2 years ago, at the start of August Leave a comment on this post

A thought-provoking letter at The Times giving a possible explanation to the lack of Pakistanis at Headingley (indeed, at each three grounds roughout this series). I’m pasting it here in full for posterity. In full at the paper’s website - thoughts very welcome.

Sir, Your article “Yorkshire upset as the Asian invasion fails to materialise” (Aug 5) attempted to explain the poor turnout of “Asian” cricket fans at the first day of the Headingley Test. The usual arguments were rehearsed — the problems of racism in sport, particularly in Yorkshire, and the apparent preference for one-day contests among those of South Asian heritage.
Having endured the second day of the Test in the West Stand on Saturday, another obvious explanation sprung to mind. Within about 30 minutes of the Pakistan batting session, a large proportion of those around us had obviously lost interest in the cricket and seemed more amused by tearing up sections of tabloid papers and flinging them on to the pitch during Mexican waves. Just in front of us, heavily built, alcohol-fuelled, shaven-headed men hurled abuse and expletives at the stewards. Although the usual costumed posses of young men were a spectacle, the overall impression was one of Grange Hill on a Friday afternoon. The only difference was that most secondary school children tend to have a more developed attention span.

The childlike behaviour of the crowd may or may not have explained the glaring lack of interest in Pakistan’s brilliant batting in the afternoon. It certainly made concentration on the game well nigh impossible. More seriously, it was a situation that would probably be very intimidating and discouraging for those who do not drink alcohol.

The cult status of Monty Panesar might seem to be a mark of how British society is now comfortable with its diversity, but English, Welsh and Scottish sport continues to expose pugnacious and belligerent tendencies reminiscent of earlier eras. One day, perhaps we will be rid of them.

WILLIAM GOULD
Lecturer in Indian History
University of Leeds

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3 Responses to “No Asian influence at Headingley”

  • Caroline wrote:
    August 8th, 2006 at 3.39 am

    I wouldn’t be surprised if this were the case. From the BBC live feed you can certainly tell the difference in the crowd noises between Lords and Headingly, and imply a difference in behaviour. And the commentators seem to suggest, ever so politely, a different standard of behaviour. Really disappointing for Yorkshire. I may be talking out of my hat from 10 000 miles away, but I don’t think I’m being too critical- I’m originally from Leeds after all. Mum used to sit in the front row of the members’ stands at Headingly and . . can’t remember the name . . . football ground . . . is it Bramhall Lane? . . . and watch the tests with her Gran. In fact - off the point here - but when Fred Trueman died there was some footage of him on our news here in Perth, and there in front row of the members’ stand, was Mum as a girl, watching him walk onto the field! Spooky!!!

  • Kathy wrote:
    August 8th, 2006 at 6.42 am

    Hmm, but to be evenhanded, there appear to be some pretty unruly elements in the cricket crowds on the subcontinent too, who are partial to lighting fires and rioting if they aren’t happy, and it would be pretty unnerving sitting near them. I guess there’s yobbos the world over.

  • Jonno wrote:
    August 8th, 2006 at 1.37 pm

    I may be wrong but I thought I heard David Lloyd say something the other day about drums, horns and the like being banned from the grounds this year. These are the tools of the trade for supporters of teams from the subcontinent. I would imagine that it would certainly spoil the fun of many Pakistani supporters to not have these items available.

    If the Barmy Army can chant all day (and damn they need some new ones desperately)why can’t the Pakistani supporters bang drums? The musical qualities are about the same.


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