Let me Introduce Liam Kennedy. please log in to view this image Mag with a fierce dislike for us. Anyway, these old social network post have spread all over twitter forcing the Echo to publish this. A number of my Facebook posts from six years ago have spread like wildfire on Sunderland AFC forums and social media. And rightly so. Looking back at those comments I'm ashamed. It embarrasses me to see my name against such abhorrent language online. The pathetic, infantile posts were penned before I was a professional journalist. I am a different person now. It was a long time ago. Not to make light of the situation, but they were seen as jokes among friends. The subject matter may have been derogatory, but it was not ever directed towards anyone in particular. I was young, daft and trying to be clever. It turns out, putting things like that online was not so clever at all. In the time since those social media messages I have started a family and have a beautiful fiancee and three amazing children. I took this job not only because it was a fantastic, rare opportunity to work at a brilliant title, and get my teeth into the coverage of a massive Premier League club, but also to make a better life for my family. To bring my kids closer to home. I'm a Newcastle United fan, that I cannot hide. But that does not mean I cannot cover Sunderland AFC with all of the commitment and passion I did in Dundee, as well as elsewhere across the UK. I'm yet to support a club that I have covered as a professional. Personal persuasion has never once clouded my judgement, nor will this ever be the case. I can promise you I will put everything into my work covering SAFC. If they play well, my copy will reflect that. If they don't, I'll be the man to stand up and criticise. It will all be done without bias, with no malice and with 100% impartiality. You have that guarantee. I love my job. Very few people have the pleasure of leaving work every day having enjoyed every minute of what they have done. For that I am very grateful. This publication has put its trust in me and I aim to repay that. I feel genuinely honoured to cover Sunderland AFC. I am 100% committed to providing Sunderland fans with the best possible coverage of their football club, and continuing the amazing work the Echo sport desk does day-in, day-out. Despite my black and white leanings I want this football club to succeed. I am from this area. And believe me when I say this - I love North East sport. Nothing gets me more excited, exasperated and emotional than Wear-Tyne derbies, I'm sure many of you out there will know the feeling. Maybe in the distant past I have let that get the better of me, for that, all I can do is say sorry. I am offering a whole-hearted apology to readers who are offended and angry. I hope you will support the work I do in a job that I am extremely honoured to have. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport.../liam-kennedy-an-apology-to-readers-1-8130860 Young and daft? Been working as a Journo for a few years up in Scotland and will have at least 3 years of uni behind him. Can't have been that young. Don't buy it myself. He clearly hates us and the Echo have dropped a bollock with this appointment. His writing is questionable too through fresh eyes.
Yeah he's full of it, to start off with he'll be painstakingly neutral but it won't be long before the snide digs sneak in and if he's getting away with them will get worse.
It will all be done without bias, with no malice and with 100% impartiality. You have that guarantee. Really? I find that hard to believe. I am a Newcastle fan, I'm from the North-East and I'm fairly complimentary about Sunderland - I think I'm pretty fair most of the time. I'm far from impartial though and it's a total lie to suggest he will be so his guarantee is fake. I don't care what he wrote to his mates on twitter 6 years ago and if he was writing the same about Newcastle I'd still say that - I do think this apology is a pointless fallacy.
That apologetic explanation about his changed attitude and maturity could have been written by Donald Trump's script writer as in "I said it but didn't mean it as I have nothing to back it up". Period
If his comments were only about the club I could let it go as he was only a rival fan then not a journo. But the fact he's used the term mackems makes it impossible for him to continue writing for the echo, covering of all things our club. He said in the apology he didn't aim it at anyone in particular, yes you did you aimed it at everyone from Sunderland you prick! Calling mackems scummy etc and then expecting them to buy and read any paper you write for is folly. The echo need to get rid.
I will be contacting the echo saying that if he is not replaced I will be cancelling my subscription..
Clearly a complete and utter ****. Saw he was getting some abuse on Twitter but had n idea who he was or what he was doing. Always liked Chris Young, seemed well connected. Nice to see the Echo had done their due diligence on their newest employee.
Ive nowt against or offended by anybody who uses the language that he has used. Gotta accept that there are supporters of all clubs who have been brought up to use such crack. Its drilled into their brain from an early age. However how he expects to continue his employment under those circumstances? ****ing idiot.
I don`t want impartiality. That`s not to say I want the lies and propaganda as perpetrated by the idiots at The Comical, but I do want passion and it`s not going to be delivered by this bloke. I find it odd that he even applied for the job. I think he should go and so should whoever decided he was suitable.
The echo is owned by Johnson press which owns loads of the local papers throughout the country so he may not of been interviewed by someone local. I personally cannot see how he can continue - are you going to believe a word he says. As I mentioned earlier the echo is s*ite anyway they seem to delight in running the club down at every opportunity - probably to sell papers (tossers)
As Oliver hardy once said " I have nothing to say, why i'll be ostracised ". Could be worse Barton is falling out at Rangers already, he might have got the job !
