The Printed Word

Did I really see tweets huffily asking “why do we need a Pride weekend in ice hockey?” I hope those who posted the tired, wholly predictable, cliched responses stopped, read and absorbed the message from Zach Sullivan. The Manchester Storm player took the opportunity afforded by the league’s first ever Pride weekend to make the most personal of statements. Sullivan said he was “finally ready” to speak publicly about his sexuality. He is bisexual. If the EIHL’s Pride weekend achieves nothing else, it gave him a platform to address who he is, to open his soul, and to know that, in going public,  he will be loved and supported. Sullivan wrote: “I now feel it is the best time to speak about  what I have known for many years. I have battled with mental health  problems over this issue, and, with the support , understanding and acceptance,  from my family, friends and team-mates, I finally feel ready to say: I am bisexual. “I have never been m...

“Change is coming” has been the message from Fife Flyers this week ahead of two crucial games against Manchester Storm. It’s a rallying call as the season heads into the home straight and a play-off place is on the line. From the outside looking in, it looks like a clear move to bring the fans and team back together again after a fraught, at times testy, relationship across this season. That can only help. Rekindling the intensity of match nights at Fife Ice Arena is absolutely key to creating the atmosphere in which the team clearly thrives. The performances last weekend were certainly gutsier and more wholehearted, but they still only delivered one point from a possible four, so the statement “this team has found its mojo” really needs to come with a caveat. Unless Flyers deliver those performances consistently - not just across one weekend - AND, dig out the wins, their play-off hopes are under serious threat. Right now they’re in a  three-way dog f...

Lisa Jewell: The Family Upstairs Family secrets have always influenced good novels, but few go to the wire quite like Lisa Jewell's novel. It starts with the inheritance if a house - a bequest that leads a young woman on a journey into her own past. The home is in upmarket London and it’s worth a packet, but it comes with skeletons, and deep-rooted mysteries. Twenty five years earlier three decomposing bodies were found in the kitchen, but, upstairs, lay a baby, well cared for, fed and simply waiting for someone to come to her rescue. The story of what happened is told from the perspective of a handful of family members who each have their own perspective. The story twists and turns throughout - it’s hard to say too much without giving up some spoilers - and is dark, subversive, and complex. A great read for a winter’s night. Hanna Jameson: The Last My first read of 2020 - a perfect start too. The book is set in a post-nuclear world. The bomb has...

Should sportsmen and teams put up with abuse on social media - and where do you draw the line? Pic: Gerd Altmann via Pixabay We’ve all seens posts  on Twitter and Facebook after a match which slate everyone and everything. This week Greenock Morton FC blocked fans who crossed that line with personal attacks on players, their families and club employees. The club took to Twitter to warn  fans about their conduct - a move which sparked the usual diatribe in response. It said it would block any accounts which were deemed “not in the  best interests of them club” or “in the spirit of constructive challenge and support.” Dave McKinnon CEO, said: "Whilst banter and opinion are what makes this game we all love such a major part of our lives, online personal attacks have no place in society or indeed our social media platforms." And he is right. While social media can be a positive place where you meet like minded communities and enjoy great deba...