If by the appointment of the excellent Neil Maggs, the Bristol Post has recognised exceptional journalistic talent, I cannot say the same about the appointment of Ian Holloway as its new football columnist. There is nothing personal in my comments towards Ollie, who remains one of my footballing heroes. I still owe him debt of gratitude for enhancing my life as a football supporter and, briefly, as a manager of Bristol Rovers. However, this is a populist appointment from a shrivelling organ and as with most forms of populism it won’t stop the inevitable decline of a once great newspaper. (I am very old and I can remember when it was great.)
Full disclosure: I remain a bitter and twisted individual after being axed back in 2006 from an unpaid role giving the Rovers fans’ view. It just so happened that I had taken what was perceived to be the ‘wrong side’ during a bitter boardroom feud at the club and by pure coincidence, I was promptly removed from my gig and replaced by a safe pair of hands in Dennis Payter. I thought my writing for the Post was of a decent standard and didn’t require polishing or even full ghosting. But then, I wasn’t a former player and manager of the club and had never said anything eccentric in the media. Understandably, no one gave a toss when I was axed. I never forgave the Post or, for that matter, Bristol Rovers. That’s all gone now.
Having said all that, surely there must be other writers, young ones perhaps, who could provide some original copy for the few remaining Post readers? It is hard enough to get any kind of a gig in the printed media these days, unless you’re already famous. I’m older than Ollie, so I can hardly count as a young writer, or even a moderately decent one for that matter, but Bristol must be full of young people with good degrees in English, for example, who would love to get a break? My one O level – English Language – does not quite compete.
I’m still trying to write as much as I can, in the certain knowledge that it’s never going to provide me with any kind of income. However, my reaction when Ollie was appointed was of the “why do I bother?” variety.
Of Maggsy, I wish nothing but success. He’s spiky, sparky, committed, angry, persistent, edgy but above all brilliant. If though the Post is living on a prayer, with Maggsy but not Ollie, they’re halfway there.
