macinter Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 There are far more better known British sportsman nationwide than Tai Woffinden who will not get a place. Athletes, yachtsmen, footballer, rugby players, cricketers, golfers, F! driver, motorcycle racers for example. But how well known you are is not how it is supposed to be judged. It is supposed to be about how good you are at your chosen sport. It's just that with the BBC some sports are more "chosen" than others. I agree he will not get a place if you mean the top three but I will not be surprised if he is in the top ten. But win it? No. But the BBC will still try very hard to prove they are impartial. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 (edited) But how well known you are is not how it is supposed to be judged. It is supposed to be about how good you are at your chosen sport. It's just that with the BBC some sports are more "chosen" than others. I agree he will not get a place if you mean the top three but I will not be surprised if he is in the top ten. But win it? No. But the BBC will still try very hard to prove they are impartial. clutching at very big straws maybe but... IF the beeb start to give the sport (via Tai) more of a push, could that be down to them getting more involved in covering the sport knowing sky have bailed? bbc3/4 etc could be ideal for a highlights package of gp or even british speedway..? more likely gp to be fair as its the professional one, however with moto gp now exclusively on bt sport next season maybe speedway can fill the beeb's motorcycle 'hole' so to speak... we may dream... Edited October 10, 2013 by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 (edited) Can many so called 'sports personalities' show half the dedication and determination that Tai showed this year in winning the World Championship, I think not, however I think the lack of knowledge shown by some of the journalists from the BBC that interviewed him this week sums up his chances of making the top 10 of the SPOTY. One man outside has shown tremendous dedication over the years - Wimbledon tennis victor Andy Murray. Others have too if you care to study their careers. Edited October 10, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy jimmy Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Report here later in the day, perhaps... when the brain's had time to kick in. Isn't too difficult to undertstand, surely. You seem a bright sort... well, compared to the average Eddie fan. Gustix explained it to me so I am now enlightened Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw42 Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Slightly off topic but I thought worth posting for those who haven't seen it, short video of Tai preparing his bikes and explaining his future plans, filmed in 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq3HnaQDo-M I had seen it before but forgot all about it, just came across a link to it again on his website http://www.taiwoffinden.com/index.php He was comfortable with the camera at 17, so no surprise he's a natural with these interviews, it's been said before but the lad is definitely marketable to the masses, if only there were a way.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 The BBC actually cover Moto GP and it still only warrants a fleeting mention on SPOTY, so really Tai has virtually zilch chance of any more than that. Still, one can live in hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Slightly off topic but I thought worth posting for those who haven't seen it, short video of Tai preparing his bikes and explaining his future plans, filmed in 2009. http://www.youtube.c...h?v=bq3HnaQDo-M I had seen it before but forgot all about it, just came across a link to it again on his website http://www.taiwoffinden.com/index.php He was comfortable with the camera at 17, so no surprise he's a natural with these interviews, it's been said before but the lad is definitely marketable to the masses, if only there were a way.. "Top liners' from minority sports are really of minor interest to the BBC. On Chris Evans the other morning, I think the day after Woffinden was on, they were busy chatting to a three-year-old who was taking part in the horse trials! In what way to do you think Tai Woffinden is marketable? Several none speedway followers I have spoken to in regard to the BBC TV appearance were a little stunned at the tattoos and ear-rings image. And they only commented and remembered it when I pressed them on the matter - recalling more how he looked than what he had achieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 The lads at work commented about it. Basically "that kid who won the speedway looks like a right mess and sounds foreign!!" was the general concensus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy jimmy Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 "Top liners' from minority sports are really of minor interest to the BBC. On Chris Evans the other morning, I think the day after Woffinden was on, they were busy chatting to a three-year-old who was taking part in the horse trials! In what way to do you think Tai Woffinden is marketable? Several none speedway followers I have spoken to in regard to the BBC TV appearance were a little stunned at the tattoos and ear-rings image. And they only commented and remembered it when I pressed them on the matter - recalling more how he looked than what he had achieved. It was good to see a speedway rider interviewed on bbc breakfast tv, it doesn't happen very often and minority sports rarely get that level of coverage ever. So enjoy it for what it was. Will it turn speedway back into the place it was in the 1930's, when you seemed to be a speedway fan, no it won't. Could it be the start if getting speedway mentioned a little more on the bbc? Maybe, if the BSPA get their PR act together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 (edited) "Top liners' from minority sports are really of minor interest to the BBC. On Chris Evans the other morning, I think the day after Woffinden was on, they were busy chatting to a three-year-old who was taking part in the horse trials! In what way to do you think Tai Woffinden is marketable? Several none speedway followers I have spoken to in regard to the BBC TV appearance were a little stunned at the tattoos and ear-rings image. And they only commented and remembered it when I pressed them on the matter - recalling more how he looked than what he had achieved. The lads at work commented about it. Basically "that kid who won the speedway looks like a right mess and sounds foreign!!" was the general concensus. His appearance is not the 'clean cut' one that most people expect from world champions. Tattoos and ear-rings are a turn-off for most people and Tai Woffinden's will do little to attract people to speedway. At the back of their mind how he looked could possibly turn them to thoughts of Hell's Angels and there much similar appearance. Yes, Tai Woffinden is a very good speedway rider - but that's all I can say in his favour. It was good to see a speedway rider interviewed on bbc breakfast tv, it doesn't happen very often and minority sports rarely get that level of coverage ever. So enjoy it for what it was. Will it turn speedway back into the place it was in the 1930's, when you seemed to be a speedway fan, no it won't. Could it be the start if getting speedway mentioned a little more on the bbc? Maybe, if the BSPA get their PR act together. I don't deny the fact that coverage for speedway on TV is good. It's just that I wonder what non-followers will think of it when Tai Woffinden's image portrays the sport for those who do not follow speedway. And as for watching the sport in the 1930s - sadly not the case. It is from 1946 at New Cross. And do you know something - it was better organised and presented in those days. Straight forward organisation - clubs were just that with their own rider pool that survived in the normal course of things, season on season. National Press coverage - speedway riders featured in main National Press articles, meetings covered with match reports and previews. Them wuz the days!!! Edited October 11, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 His appearance is not the 'clean cut' one that most people expect from world champions. Tattoos and ear-rings are a turn-off for most people and Tai Woffinden's will do little to attract people to speedway. Absolutely! It totally explains why that David Beckham bloke never got anywhere and is totally ignored by the media. Without the tattoos and bizarre fashion sense i reckon Beckham could have gone on to be a household name. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Absolutely! It totally explains why that David Beckham bloke never got anywhere and is totally ignored by the media. Without the tattoos and bizarre fashion sense i reckon Beckham could have gone on to be a household name. Huge difference between Beckham and Tai. Becks was already a household name when he got his tatoo's etc. And despite the sarong episode his fashion sense has always been very smart. Tai on the other hand looked like a scruffy oik. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 (edited) Huge difference between Beckham and Tai. Becks was already a household name when he got his tatoo's etc. And despite the sarong episode his fashion sense has always been very smart. Tai on the other hand looked like a scruffy oik. I agree totally. I think Tai would appeal far more to today's youngsters if he had a pencil moustache, wore a fashionable smoking jacket, and perhaps spoke a little like Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter (It might even get him a Brylcream sponsorship) Edited October 11, 2013 by John Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Absolutely! It totally explains why that David Beckham bloke never got anywhere and is totally ignored by the media. Without the tattoos and bizarre fashion sense i reckon Beckham could have gone on to be a household name. David Beckham is not a world champion at anything - except gaining publicity. Huge difference between Beckham and Tai. Becks was already a household name when he got his tatoo's etc. And despite the sarong episode his fashion sense has always been very smart. Tai on the other hand looked like a scruffy oik. That sums things up very well. For all that I cannot see in what way David Beckham has enhanced his image with tattoos. Do these people think things through - what will the tattoos look like in later life when there are changes in the body make-up? They'll just be hanging sketches on parts of the body that sag in old age. I agree totally. I think Tai would appeal far more to today's youngsters if he had a pencil moustache, wore a fashionable smoking jacket, and perhaps spoke a little like Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter Rather a pointless comment. But Tai Woffinden would look more impressive if he took a glance at how, for example, top flight F1 drivers present themselves off track. In a word - they are presentable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 David Beckham is not a world champion at anything - except gaining publicity. I agree. Always said he'd never make it at football. Become England captain and get 100+ caps? Don't make me laugh...no chance tattoo boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 (edited) I agree. Always said he'd never make it at football. Become England captain and get 100+ caps? Don't make me laugh...no chance tattoo boy! But talent in a team sport does not make David Beckham an individual world champion. And as has been pointed out Becks resorted to tattoos in more recent times than at the start of his sporting career. Edited October 11, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw42 Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 David Beckham is not a world champion at anything - except gaining publicity. That sums things up very well. For all that I cannot see in what way David Beckham has enhanced his image with tattoos. Do these people think things through - what will the tattoos look like in later life when there are changes in the body make-up? They'll just be hanging sketches on parts of the body that sag in old age. Wouldn't have happened in your day eh Gustix, men having tattoos, perish the thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 But talent in a team sport does not make David Beckham an individual world champion. I agree. Because of his tattoos, David Beckham will never be a great sportsman, like all those World individual football champions such as....erm....erm.....help me out with a few names here Gus lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 (edited) Wouldn't have happened in your day eh Gustix, men having tattoos, perish the thought. There have always been tattoos. But it was usually associated with those of low intelligence - not those who one assume want to present themselves as personalities to be taken seriously in their chosen field. Edited October 11, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 I agree totally. I think Tai would appeal far more to today's youngsters if he had a pencil moustache, wore a fashionable smoking jacket, and perhaps spoke a little like Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter (It might even get him a Brylcream sponsorship) and of course the nations youngsters are all tuned into BBC breakfast on a Thursday morning aren't they? An interview with a couple of other world champions, for comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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