Adam Smith

[lefty]

Cheers Lefty although inspirational is pushing it way too far!!

I'm just a normal working class lad who was born on Merseyside. My dad was a bus driver in my early years and my mum just looked after me and my sister at home. At school I was always clever but pretty uninterested academically until I was about 14, I did the usual stuff like getting into fights, getting drunk in parks and generally being a bit of a rebel.

Then I had an English teacher who really instilled motivation and belief in me and I started to concentrate more at school and for about 3 years I had an unbelievable focus on becoming good at my studies and getting great exam results. I probably missed out on a lot during that 3 year period but I achieved my goal of getting into Oxford so didn't mind. Once started there, I probably didn't concentrate as much as I should have but still came out with a 2.1 and had an awesome time there and made friends with people I would never have given the time of day a few years earlier.

Then I had a year of bumming around and trying to decide what I really wanted to do and as I did a law degree being a solicitor seemed like my best option.

Sound like my auldfella'.

Scouser, got into a fair bit of trouble as a kid, always fighting. Got pulled in by his headmaster who said he was never going to amount to anything, and all that malarky.

Made him determined to get his act together. Went to college, then UCL (uni in London) and got himself a PHD in geology.

Now finds himself working for Pilkingtons (the big glass company). Started off at a decent level in the raw materials department. Ended up progressing up the ranks in rapid speed due to the fact he's clever as fvck but also because the bosses like his no-nonsense, confidence. Got moved from England to Brazil, then to America. Now is the Head of Procurement for Asia.

Done alright for himself, originally being a cocky scouse kid with no apparent future.

Great stuff mate

[orbtastic]

lefty ha ha

My sister lived on Roberts Road, back garden went onto Edlo woods.

Mick Kilkenny is a proper good lad, was cock of school year 2 years above Mick Murray, plasterer from Hexthorpe. Steve Bell was from Edlo, brilliant footballer and boxer, maybe 36 or 37 years old, drugs got him and heads gone but he were a talented kid.

I saw Mick Murray last week; he's doing well int he? he were on the Jamie Mcdonell bout the other week, ringside. He's alright, I was with him trying to show him the recent Nonito Donaire bout on computer. Mick keeps himself in trim and boxed professional;

I'm a window cleaner in the town centre, work for myself, (the singing window cleaner! I'm famous) if you're in town ask one of the others where Simon is, they'll point the way and say hello

Did the nuns cane yo ass Orbtastic?

Yeah, he's not done too bad to say he left school and had just a sandwich shop. I saw him at ringside. All the jewellery boys in front of me, him to the right with the other lads from Lazarus etc.

Singing window cleaner? haha..new one on me that, but I rarely venture into the town outside drinking.

Sister Michael was a bit of a bitch to be honest. She would twist your ear round if she deemed you'd stepped out of line. I saw her punch a lad once after he called her a fing penguin, very very funny. She physically forced me to eat cheese on toast out of the bin after I threw it away. I complained to my mum once I got home and "words were said", she was nice as pie to me after that. they got rid of her shortly after, don't know if it was coincidence or what. She was the only nun there by the time I started there ('83).

[palooka]

I lived in Edlo as well Orb; Dixon Road before it was demolished (obviously). Not sure which is rougher.

Oof. I had a mate who lived on Roberts road, I used to go there quite a bit. It was particularly rough during the miner's strike, to put it mildly.

I went to primary school in Goldthorpe but grew up in Scawsby, couldn't get further apart really. Went to secondary school at McCauley so had friends from literally all over town compared to my mates locally who went to Ridgewood and only knew people in that area.

You may know my cousin Garry Crowcroft then.

I grew up in Bentley and Thorne.

Hey David; how old are you? do you know Backer (Graham Baxter) & Dean and Damon Howsley from Bentley? Dean's got the Druids

[forcefraser]

Which estate,Forcefraser?

Lupset in Wakefield. It is a bit better now than it used to be by all accounts. I left there at 18 to go to Newcastle Uni and I never went back. Moved to Bergen (Norway) when I was 22 and have been here ever since (15 years)

It`s a different world to where I grew up, extremely safe place, good opportunities for every kid, although the social system is used as a crutch by far too many people here.

Lupset estate in the 80`s was not a nice place to be. I used to see Paul Sykes almost every day, as I walked to school (some might know him as an ex boxer who had a classic documentary made about him). There were plenty of other guys like him knocking around, people you were best avoiding.

When I travel back to Wakefield now with my family, I look on the place from a different perspective. I used to hate it, thought it was the arse end of the world, that smothered the people who lived there. I see it now as a place that has changed with the times. I would not go as far to say that it looks like a top place to live these days, but it is certainly better than it used to be. I enjoy going back there now.

[dondada]

i give a "fuckster" mate, i love boxing, been brought up with it, i am also a working class lad from up north who worked his balls off to go to uni, get a degree and find out that trying to have a career in journalism was nigh on impossible unless you had connections. you dont benefit from having connections when you're from a council estate in sheffield..so i want to know if the bloke who has such a prominent position regarding the coverage of the sport I love, is an ok dude or just a posh little toff with a bad attitude and a ponchant for nepotism...problem is journalism, TV etc is rife for nepotism, possibly the most inbred industry aside from the medical arena...I admit that my first impressions of Smith were that he was a toff who needed a slap, its a symptom of where I am from, my background, we are supposed to resent posho's born with a silver spoon in their mouths, therefore I need to learn more about him would make me feel better if he is a true boxing fan who has a passion for the sport..

I'm arriving at this thread late but what this chap says about nepotism in journalism is bang on. I've never known an industry like it. It's not that you can't make it, of course, but there are some right f**king doughnuts who wouldn't have got over the doorstep had it not been for their connections. True in all fields but particularly so in journalism.

It was very interesting to see how many people Richard Keys had given a break to after being asked by their footballer dads to 'help them out'

[dondada]

If you are smart enough and prepared to work hard, it doesn`t matter where you come from or what your background is.

I'm afraid this just isn't true mate. Well, it is in some cases, and I'm glad it is in yours - but some people just never get an even break.

[dondada]

I also grew up on a council estate, worked hard and got into Oxford and now have a great job as a lawyer in the City so I agree with the sentiments that by working hard you can achieve a lot despite where you are from. However, in certain careers where there is less of a meritocracy, like the media and particularly television, there is no doubt whatsoever that having a well to do upbringing brings about opportunities a person would not otherwise have. I've seen it in lots of cases with people who come from very rich families who are not particularly bright end up in very well paid jobs because of their connections rather than their ability. This is what frustrates people I think and rightly so.

This

[Counter-puncher]

i give a "fuckster" mate, i love boxing, been brought up with it, i am also a working class lad from up north who worked his balls off to go to uni, get a degree and find out that trying to have a career in journalism was nigh on impossible unless you had connections. you dont benefit from having connections when you're from a council estate in sheffield..so i want to know if the bloke who has such a prominent position regarding the coverage of the sport I love, is an ok dude or just a posh little toff with a bad attitude and a ponchant for nepotism...problem is journalism, TV etc is rife for nepotism, possibly the most inbred industry aside from the medical arena...I admit that my first impressions of Smith were that he was a toff who needed a slap, its a symptom of where I am from, my background, we are supposed to resent posho's born with a silver spoon in their mouths, therefore I need to learn more about him would make me feel better if he is a true boxing fan who has a passion for the sport..

I'm arriving at this thread late but what this chap says about nepotism in journalism is bang on. I've never known an industry like it. It's not that you can't make it, of course, but there are some right f**king doughnuts who wouldn't have got over the doorstep had it not been for their connections. True in all fields but particularly so in journalism.

It was very interesting to see how many people Richard Keys had given a break to after being asked by their footballer dads to 'help them out'

to be fair to Gabby Yorath she has matured into an excellent broadcast journalist. she's outstanding on 5live, IMO.

but surely she's part of the problem? isn't there some deserving type out there who sweated through a journalism course/degree (which I assume Yorath didn't have to), and who yorath has basically been parachuted over?

[mickey1975]

Which estate,Forcefraser?

Lupset in Wakefield. It is a bit better now than it used to be by all accounts. I left there at 18 to go to Newcastle Uni and I never went back. Moved to Bergen (Norway) when I was 22 and have been here ever since (15 years)

It`s a different world to where I grew up, extremely safe place, good opportunities for every kid, although the social system is used as a crutch by far too many people here.

Lupset estate in the 80`s was not a nice place to be. I used to see Paul Sykes almost every day, as I walked to school (some might know him as an ex boxer who had a classic documentary made about him). There were plenty of other guys like him knocking around, people you were best avoiding.

When I travel back to Wakefield now with my family, I look on the place from a different perspective. I used to hate it, thought it was the arse end of the world, that smothered the people who lived there. I see it now as a place that has changed with the times. I would not go as far to say that it looks like a top place to live these days, but it is certainly better than it used to be. I enjoy going back there now.

I have spent a bit of time at places just the same as where you grew up.There are loads all around West Yorkshire as you know,all seem to love drinking and Rugby Leauge!Sykes was a legend round those parts,but not very well liked.I saw him at a show in Dewsbury when i was a teenager and he looked a fearsome bloke.I know a pro who chinned him once,not sure if Sykes had hit the drink bad by then,though.

[Newport Daz]

i give a "fuckster" mate, i love boxing, been brought up with it, i am also a working class lad from up north who worked his balls off to go to uni, get a degree and find out that trying to have a career in journalism was nigh on impossible unless you had connections. you dont benefit from having connections when you're from a council estate in sheffield..so i want to know if the bloke who has such a prominent position regarding the coverage of the sport I love, is an ok dude or just a posh little toff with a bad attitude and a ponchant for nepotism...problem is journalism, TV etc is rife for nepotism, possibly the most inbred industry aside from the medical arena...I admit that my first impressions of Smith were that he was a toff who needed a slap, its a symptom of where I am from, my background, we are supposed to resent posho's born with a silver spoon in their mouths, therefore I need to learn more about him would make me feel better if he is a true boxing fan who has a passion for the sport..

I'm arriving at this thread late but what this chap says about nepotism in journalism is bang on. I've never known an industry like it. It's not that you can't make it, of course, but there are some right f**king doughnuts who wouldn't have got over the doorstep had it not been for their connections. True in all fields but particularly so in journalism.

It was very interesting to see how many people Richard Keys had given a break to after being asked by their footballer dads to 'help them out'

Kelly Dalglish, Hayley McQueen, Kirsty Gallagher come to mind

[Coco]

If you are smart enough and prepared to work hard, it doesn`t matter where you come from or what your background is.

I'm afraid this just isn't true mate. Well, it is in some cases, and I'm glad it is in yours - but some people just never get an even break.

I'm more inclined to agree with ForceFraser. Obviously people with priviledged backrounds will get far more opportunities, better opportunities, opportunities they don't deserve, however life is what you make it if you graft opportunities always turn up, it's just about recognising them and having the balls to go for it.

[forcefraser]

Which estate,Forcefraser?

Lupset in Wakefield. It is a bit better now than it used to be by all accounts. I left there at 18 to go to Newcastle Uni and I never went back. Moved to Bergen (Norway) when I was 22 and have been here ever since (15 years)

It`s a different world to where I grew up, extremely safe place, good opportunities for every kid, although the social system is used as a crutch by far too many people here.

Lupset estate in the 80`s was not a nice place to be. I used to see Paul Sykes almost every day, as I walked to school (some might know him as an ex boxer who had a classic documentary made about him). There were plenty of other guys like him knocking around, people you were best avoiding.

When I travel back to Wakefield now with my family, I look on the place from a different perspective. I used to hate it, thought it was the arse end of the world, that smothered the people who lived there. I see it now as a place that has changed with the times. I would not go as far to say that it looks like a top place to live these days, but it is certainly better than it used to be. I enjoy going back there now.

I have spent a bit of time at places just the same as where you grew up.There are loads all around West Yorkshire as you know,all seem to love drinking and Rugby Leauge!Sykes was a legend round those parts,but not very well liked.I saw him at a show in Dewsbury when i was a teenager and he looked a fearsome bloke.I know a pro who chinned him once,not sure if Sykes had hit the drink bad by then,though.

Drink was his downfall. He could be nasty as hell after a few looseners in him. He died homeless, having been banned from the city centre due to his antics. The drink had taken him completely by that time.

I`ll never forget when I was about 16, going to one of the pubs on the estate to watch the football. I was waiting for my mate to turn up and Sykes came in, pretty steamed already. He came over and started to spout shit to me about always keeping my hands out of my pockets, as that way I would be "ready". He sat down and I was terrified. He was staring right at me the whole time, getting pleasure from intimidating me and then he challenged me to an arm wrestle :) Which he obviously won.

I remember thinking I was in for a certain kicking. I`m not a soft arse, but I would have had no chance, regardless of how pissed he was. Every other geezer in the pub was just avoiding the whole thing, even the barman was looking the other way. They`d seen it before.

He asked me what I did, so I lied and told him I was on a YTS scheme at a local builders, knowing that if I told him I was doing A-levels, it would have caused more problems. It was like walking on eggshells. I played Rugby League for one of the local clubs that he used to play for and when I mentioned this, he changed and I was suddenly (in his words) " a Fuc*ing brilliant cu*t" and if anybody messed with me, just come and tell him and he`d sort them out. He left about 5 mins before my mate turned up.

The next day, I saw him walking up the estate with a bag full of beer and he was pissed again, shouting "I am the Lion of this county". I had to walk passed him and he growled something at me, obviously with no recollection that he had spent half and hour talking to me the day before.

Very scary bloke, but a terrific athlete when he was fit. Makes me smile when I look back on it now, but at the time, I was scared to death of him.

[Finn]

If you are smart enough and prepared to work hard, it doesn`t matter where you come from or what your background is.

I'm afraid this just isn't true mate. Well, it is in some cases, and I'm glad it is in yours - but some people just never get an even break.

I'm more inclined to agree with ForceFraser. Obviously people with priviledged backrounds will get far more opportunities, better opportunities, opportunities they don't deserve, however life is what you make it if you graft opportunities always turn up, it's just about recognising them and having the balls to go for it.

On the flip side theres pleanty of people who have acheived massive success from a deprived background, however they were the minority. Where as acheivers from privileged backgrounds would be the majority, with failure being the minority.

If i could afford to put my son in a private school it would pretty much guarantee him a great education and catapult him into a high earning career. Instead he will have to work his arse off to get into a top normal school, even there he would be unlikely to get the same level of support as a private school. But in my oppinion that builds character and common sense - theres always benefits to the school of hard knocks if you look hard enough.

Then again theres alot of kids who's parent dont give a shit - how do you succeed with absolutely no support from anyone.

[Deserter]

If you are smart enough and prepared to work hard, it doesn`t matter where you come from or what your background is.

I'm afraid this just isn't true mate. Well, it is in some cases, and I'm glad it is in yours - but some people just never get an even break.

I'm more inclined to agree with ForceFraser. Obviously people with priviledged backrounds will get far more opportunities, better opportunities, opportunities they don't deserve, however life is what you make it if you graft opportunities always turn up, it's just about recognising them and having the balls to go for it.

I don't actually think there's any big disagreement going on here - it's simply a percentages game... there will always be a 'hardcore' who manage to rise above their environment, whether that's attributable to a special teacher, empowering parents or sheer bloody-mindedness. However, it's only logical that those who have access to better education and who have a peer group who share similar aspirations are more likely to succeed.
The point is that you may not even recognise the opportunities if you haven't had your eyes 'opened' by something or someone around you.

[Finn]

I'm afraid this just isn't true mate. Well, it is in some cases, and I'm glad it is in yours - but some people just never get an even break.

I'm more inclined to agree with ForceFraser. Obviously people with priviledged backrounds will get far more opportunities, better opportunities, opportunities they don't deserve, however life is what you make it if you graft opportunities always turn up, it's just about recognising them and having the balls to go for it.

I don't actually think there's any big disagreement going on here - it's simply a percentages game... there will always be a 'hardcore' who manage to rise above their environment, whether that's attributable to a special teacher, empowering parents or sheer bloody-mindedness. However, it's only logical that those who have access to better education and who have a peer group who share similar aspirations are more likely to succeed.
The point is that you may not even recognise the opportunities if you haven't had your eyes 'opened' by something or someone around you.

well said.

[hurlock]

smith is a fairly tall guy i wonder what weight he'd of been as a boxer D

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

smith is a fairly tall guy i wonder what weight he'd of been as a boxer D

Who cares?

[dondada]

]

to be fair to Gabby Yorath she has matured into an excellent broadcast journalist. she's outstanding on 5live, IMO.

but surely she's part of the problem? isn't there some deserving type out there who sweated through a journalism course/degree (which I assume Yorath didn't have to), and who yorath has basically been parachuted over?

Aye. She's improved a hell of a lot...then again, she had a lot of improving to do. Her weekly flirtatious exchanges with Graeme Swann when he was just a maverick county cricketer is amongst the worst radio I've ever heard. And the televisual equivalent was her utterly wank interview with Linford Christie. I'm a massive Linford fan but if I was interviewing him you're duty bound to put him through the mill for the drugs issue. She just lacked knowledge and still does, though she's miles better now.

And you're exactly right of course. Anyone who was as sh1te as she was in the early days simply wouldn't have got a chance, never mind the time to improve.

[veriton]

Lupset in Wakefield. It is a bit better now than it used to be by all accounts. I left there at 18 to go to Newcastle Uni and I never went back. Moved to Bergen (Norway) when I was 22 and have been here ever since (15 years)

It`s a different world to where I grew up, extremely safe place, good opportunities for every kid, although the social system is used as a crutch by far too many people here.

Lupset estate in the 80`s was not a nice place to be. I used to see Paul Sykes almost every day, as I walked to school (some might know him as an ex boxer who had a classic documentary made about him). There were plenty of other guys like him knocking around, people you were best avoiding.

When I travel back to Wakefield now with my family, I look on the place from a different perspective. I used to hate it, thought it was the arse end of the world, that smothered the people who lived there. I see it now as a place that has changed with the times. I would not go as far to say that it looks like a top place to live these days, but it is certainly better than it used to be. I enjoy going back there now.

I have spent a bit of time at places just the same as where you grew up.There are loads all around West Yorkshire as you know,all seem to love drinking and Rugby Leauge!Sykes was a legend round those parts,but not very well liked.I saw him at a show in Dewsbury when i was a teenager and he looked a fearsome bloke.I know a pro who chinned him once,not sure if Sykes had hit the drink bad by then,though.

Drink was his downfall. He could be nasty as hell after a few looseners in him. He died homeless, having been banned from the city centre due to his antics. The drink had taken him completely by that time.

I`ll never forget when I was about 16, going to one of the pubs on the estate to watch the football. I was waiting for my mate to turn up and Sykes came in, pretty steamed already. He came over and started to spout shit to me about always keeping my hands out of my pockets, as that way I would be "ready". He sat down and I was terrified. He was staring right at me the whole time, getting pleasure from intimidating me and then he challenged me to an arm wrestle :) Which he obviously won.

I remember thinking I was in for a certain kicking. I`m not a soft arse, but I would have had no chance, regardless of how pissed he was. Every other geezer in the pub was just avoiding the whole thing, even the barman was looking the other way. They`d seen it before.

He asked me what I did, so I lied and told him I was on a YTS scheme at a local builders, knowing that if I told him I was doing A-levels, it would have caused more problems. It was like walking on eggshells. I played Rugby League for one of the local clubs that he used to play for and when I mentioned this, he changed and I was suddenly (in his words) " a Fuc*ing brilliant cu*t" and if anybody messed with me, just come and tell him and he`d sort them out. He left about 5 mins before my mate turned up.

The next day, I saw him walking up the estate with a bag full of beer and he was pissed again, shouting "I am the Lion of this county". I had to walk passed him and he growled something at me, obviously with no recollection that he had spent half and hour talking to me the day before.

Very scary bloke, but a terrific athlete when he was fit. Makes me smile when I look back on it now, but at the time, I was scared to death of him.

great story....i remember watching paul sykes at large on ytv...i bought his book cos they talked it up but it was shite.