http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-sorry-roy-but-ireland-played-like-superstars-1824844.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-sorry-roy-but-ireland-played-like-superstars-1824844.html ]]> <p>The furore concerning the Thierry Henry handball has moved into a new dimension of weirdness, with the player himself agreeing that the controversial World Cup qualifier should be replayed, while former Ireland captain Roy Keane, with his customary charm, asserts that the Irish got what they deserved.</p> Brian Viner Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-unexpected-frictions-follow-fergusons-fall-1820469.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-unexpected-frictions-follow-fergusons-fall-1820469.html <p>Pretty much everyone in football seems to agree that Peterborough United's sacking of Darren Ferguson is an act of myopic foolishness. He led the Posh to back-to-back promotions, and a disappointing start to the club's season in the Championship seems like flimsy grounds for dismissing a man who, in terms of his ability to mould and motivate a team, has plainly proved himself to be a chip off the old block. </p> Brian Viner Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-great-sporting-events-are-woven-into-our-culture-1819916.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-great-sporting-events-are-woven-into-our-culture-1819916.html <p>Great sporting events are part of the fabric of our nation. Even those who loathe every aspect of sport would have to concede that the FA Cup final, Wimbledon, the Ashes and the Grand National are woven into our culture, and the accessibility or otherwise of such events on television is an emotive matter for millions of people.</p> Brian Viner Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-why-would-my-children-collect-sticks-when-they-could-be-on-facebook-1818841.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-why-would-my-children-collect-sticks-when-they-could-be-on-facebook-1818841.html <p>The time has come when I can no longer send my children into our little wood to collect kindling. This is partly because they are no longer the obliging creatures they used to be, and why would anyone want to be picking up twigs when they could be on Facebook, and partly because it's November, and even after a mostly dry autumn the twigs are damp.</p> Brian Viner Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-pietersen-has-style-of-original-brylcreem-boy-1816627.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-pietersen-has-style-of-original-brylcreem-boy-1816627.html ]]> <p>Andrew Strauss tells us that the South African origins of himself, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior and Jonathan Trott are "a non-issue" for England's cricketers. Which is fair enough, but you can bet your last rand that they won't be treated as a non-issue by the South Africans during the forthcoming series of five one-day internationals and four Test matches. If the South Africa captain, Graeme Smith, doesn't encourage his men to target these perceived turncoats in the England team, then he's not the chest-thumping patriot I took him to be. And even if he doesn't – for he does seem to be mellowing somewhat – the home supporters in Durban and Johannesburg will most certainly let the abuse fly at those biltong-flavoured Englishmen, reserving particular vehemence for Pietersen, who is scheduled to join the party next week.</p> Brian Viner Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-much-as-it-pains-me-to-say-it-yorkshire-is-the-best-source-of-unusual-words-1814765.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-much-as-it-pains-me-to-say-it-yorkshire-is-the-best-source-of-unusual-words-1814765.html <p>My friend Ian, who has lived all his 50-odd years in a village on the Herefordshire-Shropshire border, introduced us some years ago to an expression so localised that nobody I've tried it on in Leominster, eight miles down the road, understands what I'm on about. </p> Brian Viner Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-up-and-away-with-you-critics-1813653.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-up-and-away-with-you-critics-1813653.html <p>A few days ago I went with my wife and children to see Up, the new feature film by those brilliant animators at Pixar. As you are perhaps aware, Up has been lauded to the skies as one of the greatest achievements in animated film-making since Walt Disney doodled his first mouse. </p> Brian Viner Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-team-spirits-from-beyond-the-grave-1812167.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-team-spirits-from-beyond-the-grave-1812167.html ]]> <p> It's not often that The Last Word falls on Halloween – roughly every seven years, in fact – so I've been racking my brains for some suitably ghoulish material. </p> Brian Viner Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-ive-opened-fetes-named-beers-judged-gardens-fairy-cakes-and-perry-1811080.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-ive-opened-fetes-named-beers-judged-gardens-fairy-cakes-and-perry-1811080.html <p>The voice on the telephone was frightfully well spoken. "Mr Viner?" </p> Brian Viner Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-blackpool-prom-and-holloways-illuminations-1808255.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/brian-viner-blackpool-prom-and-holloways-illuminations-1808255.html <p>Until May this year there was, in the public consciousness, only one man named Holloway associated with the Lancashire town of Blackpool. That was the comic actor Stanley Holloway, who in 1932 recorded Marriott Edgar's daft, delightful ode "The Lion and Albert", about "a grand little lad" called Albert Ramsbottom who was swallowed whole by Wallace, the scarred old lion at Blackpool zoo. "There's a famous seaside place called Blackpool," it begins, "that's noted for fresh air and fun."</p> Brian Viner Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100