On the ball!

Ashley Cole is no more or no less English than Lecomber . Both are British born and both have forefathers who were non-British. Ashley Cole's are Caribbean and Lecomber 's French. I know of Lecomber 's background having challenged him about it on a Jeff Shumman Choice FM debate.

Lecomber 's history is rooted in religious persecution, his predecessors being among early day Huguenot asylum seekers. In 1572, after the St Batholemew's day massacre in which French Catholics slaughted Protestant French Huguenots many thousands of persecuted Huguenots initially found asylum and sanctuary here in the UK. But when religious tensions rose it was the Huguenots who were demonised, not unlike vulnerable Black people who the hypocritical Lecomber and the BNP attack today.

Along with their brand of religion the Huguenots brought their industrious trade weaving of fine silks and other cloths. Legacies of both are very much with us today. British Huguenot churches and societies continue to flourish; and the centre of Huguenot society in London has been named after their trade: Threadneedle St, now part of London's financial heartland.

What Lecomber, the BNP and too many mainstream politicians refuse to acknowledge is that British history, even before the Huguenots, is one of persecuted and impoverished peoples finding their way to the UK putting, down roots and enriching the society. The sad difference is that immigrants of the past were able to positively contribute to the economy, today legislation does not allow them to, which give rise to, among others, racist claims that they are a drain on our society.

But enough of Lecomber, the BNP and the bigotry that consumes and blinds them. Let's celebrate Sven's squad for Japan! Never in the history of English football have so many Black players been chosen to represent a nation's hope for World Cup glory. Seven of the 23 places have been taken up by Black Brits. Nearly double, in comparison to the last world cup. The role call includes: David James, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Wes Brown, Darius Vassel (Kiren Dyer to be replaced by Trevor Sinclair) and the great Emile Heskey.

I just hope they have some success, not just because, as you may have gathered, I love football, but also because this sport represents many nation's symbol of national identity. For example, when the multi-cultural French side won the World cup with Zinaden Zidane (Algerian parentage) lifting the trophy, many French conceded this was the face of modern France.

And although we clearly know that it takes more than a multicultural world Cup team to defeat racism, if England were to win the Cup, I believe we would use the triumph far more positively than the French did.