HAVING read Kevin McKenna’s article yesterday, I have been motivated to express my agreement and questioning of the views expressed. I refer specifically to his latter comments about sectarianism regarding the “Irish Catholic” community and Neil Lennon in particular. I write as a lifelong Hearts supporter who abhors sectarianism, bigotry of any form and even club clanishness. I view supporters of Protestant and Catholic causes with equal disapproval.

I agree with the article that Scotland has an ongoing problem with Christian sectarianism and bigotry and in condemning all the threats and attacks that Neil Lennon has very wrongly suffered over the years. My condemnation extends to the individual who threw the coin at Lennon. I hope he will be identified, banned from attending football for life and charged appropriately. If found guilty, a custodial sentence would not be inappropriate.

Where I disagree with McKenna is in not recognising Lennon’s actions before the coin throwing as also being unacceptable. His actions did not justify the coin throwing but may have contributed to it. While I recognise any club manager’s right to reasonably express their joy at say, scoring a goal, they all have a responsibility not to goad opposition fans for negative reasons.

Mocking Hearts fans’ disappointment following the disallowed goal in the manner he did was an unacceptable incitement. I would like the football authorities to take action to censure this and all similar such gestures.

I would add that in falling on his back following being struck with the coin, he was over-acting to seek an advantage, as was the Hearts goalkeeper punched by a supporter and players of all clubs who regularly go down too easily and roll about.

I repeat for clarity, however, that the principal wrongdoing was the unacceptable coin throwing. I would be happy to repeat my comments face to face in conversation with Mr Lennon.

The Christian sectarianism or bigotry is a serious issue deserving attention. Perhaps having all of our children educated at the same local schools would be one measure to address this.

Campbell Anderson
Edinburgh

REGARDING Dod from Edinburgh’s letter yesterday in regards to Andrew Tickell’s article about the abuse of Neil Lennon, one letter sums up all the problems that Scottish football and society has and will not address.

It does not matter where the graffiti was written, or where the offensive song was sung. It is the fact that is happening and we put our heads in the sand to ignore it. But someone has to blame the other side as being worse so that they are not to blame.

Dod obviously felt strongly enough to write to The National. How would he feel if he had just been abused verbally, non-stop for 90 minutes and then assaulted – would a letter suffice? No, I think not. But Scottish football continues to ignore the elephant in the room that is west coast sectarianism, which still seeps out to the rest of the country. Until this is addressed properly, Scottish football outwith the “Old Firm” will continue to deteriorate.

Name and address supplied

IN the distant past businesses could get training grants from the government (1960-70s). I was lucky that the business I worked for at the time did a great deal of training. One course I was on was called GOYA. It was based around a training film made by John Cleese regarding management style, the rights and the wrongs. It taught an obvious truth that you cannot manage people from your office and that you must Get Off Your Arse and talk and listen to people and observe what is going on.

We are approximately at a Yes support level of 50%. I would suggest that these supporters were easier to persuade to support independence than is likely with the rest of our countrymen and women. Can I support the sentiments of the letter from L McGregor of Falkirk (Letters, November 7) who was asking us all to be more active and start persuading current No voters? We will only win if we start using the GOYA philosophy now. We can win, we can get our first Independence Day, but we must all work for it. Just persuade one person.

Robert Anderson
Dunning, Perthshire

I AGREE with Jim McLean (Letters, November 7) regarding “gross historical and political errors”, which I notice from time to time in the otherwise estimable National! Understanding that you may run on limited staff, that journalists are not necessarily historians and that misprints do occur, it should still be simple enough for anyone writing historical pieces to check facts.

Mr McLean is correct in pointing out that there was no British crown in 1688, however, and reluctant as I am to contradict someone bearing such a formidable surname, the man who wore the English crown as “James II” was James VII, not VI, of Scotland. Maybe there were too many Jimmies in the pack!

Bill McLean
Dunfermline