Former Reds front man Tyson has received racial abuse
NATHAN SAYS SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENTS NEW PROBLEMS
NATHAN Tyson says he has been racially abused on multiple occasions in his career, including after a Nottingham Forest game which he watched on crutches.
The former Reds striker had to sit in the stands as Forest were beaten in the 2007 League One play-offs by Yeovil Town after missing the tie through injury.
He told this week’s Garibaldi Red podcast he was abused via text after the match - and it is far from the only time the 38-year-old has been singled out for the colour of his skin, both on the pitch and off it.
“I was there in a leg brace and on crutches. Someone had my number and racially abused me on the phone,” he said.
“It was disgusting on that front. “It has happened a lot unfortunately.
“I was playing for Wycombe Wanderers at Shrewsbury Town and got racially abused.
“A steward told me as I’d not heard it. I was like wow.
“You hear it quite a lot. I remember at Reading going to Millwall.
“There was a guy in the stands with his two kids.
“He just wouldn’t shut up. “I’d go out to warm up and he was racially abusing me point blank.
“I think a team-mate told Alan Pardew and he pulled me and said to stay there and he wouldn’t bring me on.
“Cardiff away they were chucking bottle tops at me. I think it was more that I’d been on loan at Swansea.
“They chucked coins at me and called me all sorts of racial names.
“Growing up players would racially abuse me. The area I came from wasn’t very diverse at the time.
“My dad is white and my mum is black. They deal with it in different ways.
“My dad would say prove them wrong, score loads of goals and it will shut them up.
“My mum wants to fight everyone, man or woman she don’t care. In my time you grew up with it.”
Tyson, who now plays for Chesterfield, feels new problems such as racism behind keyboards and smart phones exist, and old challenges remain.
A father of four, the ex-kilmarnock striker says he has spoken with his children about how to deal with racism in football and how to conduct themselves if they deal with police officers in wider life.
“We’re so diverse now but with social media it’s another platform for people to abuse people and that’s not right,” he said.
“I’ve had that conversation. My twin daughters are 18 now. Beth plays now and then. It’s so different in the women’s game I guess.
“I’ve said if something happens tell the ref. If he doesn’t do anything then tell your coach.
“If you feel like you want to walk off, do it. Tell your team-mates you won’t play like this.
“My eldest boy is more into his gaming. He’s too intelligent!
“I’ve had that uncomfortable conversation with him to say not all police officers are bad.
“If you get stopped - and I’ve been stopped many times in my life - then know your rights.
“Be polite, speak calmly but make sure you get their number off their shoulder and get their name. If you do end up at a police station don’t say anything until you’ve spoken to myself or your mum.
“With what’s going on now, it depends where you live. If you live in south London it’s a lot worse than up here.
“I just tell them to keep their noses clean, don’t get involved in stupid stuff. If you have worries phone me and let me know.
“My youngest son is 18 months so we’ve got a long time before that conversation. When I grew up it was daily.
“The only thing I get now, is if I’m walking down the street in a tracksuit I’ll see people cross the street to avoid me.
“When I was catching the train to Scotland, if I was sat on a table for four, if the train was packed, no one would sit next to me.
“It’s sad and there’s a lot that needs to be done. It’s just education. Everyone needs to play their part to make everyone equal in a sense.”