Controversy on Praise and Grumble by Kevin Raftery

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Petejames2

There was controversy on BBC Radio Stoke's Praise and Grumble after the Stoke City v Valencia tie on Thursday. Chaired by John Acres, the lively post match show fell into disrepute after a caller named Harry phoned in. The exchanges that followed saw some Stoke fans offended by the presenter whilst others were delighted that John Acres had 'taken Harry to task' for his criticism of the Stoke display. One disgruntled Stoke fan said:

"John Acres should not be taking anybody to task; his job is to facilitate discussion not to belittle people or impose his opinions. Mr Acres used his position to cut Harry from the show in a rude manner to impose his authority. These presenters are public facilitators not authority figures. I was disgusted by this unprofessional manner."

In response to the complaint Nicola Maguire from BBC complaints said:

"I understand you were very unhappy with the way in which John Acres spoke to a caller Harry which you felt was rude and unprofessional and I appreciate your comments regarding John's role as facilitator of discussion.

During the broadcast on 16 February, John Acres referred back to this incident and offered his apologies, highlighting that some had felt he went a little over the top. He also stated this wasn't his intention as he thought it was funny and tongue in cheek, but had contacted Harry back again who was fine and referred the conversation as 'good banter'.

I do hope this allays your concerns; however, I can assure you that your comments have been fully registered on our audience log which is made available to all members of the BBC, including the Radio Stoke team and senior BBC management. This ensures your comments and others we receive are considered across the BBC".

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33 Comments

  • Profile image for mattyformore

    by mattyformore

    Friday, February 24 2012, 6:44PM

    “Derrrrrr! DJ Stoke: looks like I am not on my own in the parallel universe. What's this mumbo jumbo you have written below?

    "Nellie I do support our manager and the entire team he has built yes, but he is not Teflon and can be criticised. (Teflon? What is that a reference to Non-stick you dumbell?)

    "I just wanted to ask a question here to see what people think. Did we really need to buy Peter Crouch in the summer? Was he bought as a ploy to attract better players? (Was he bought to attract better players ha ha. Why do you think he bought Crouch you narna, to lean that long neck out to score from a set piece)

    Tony knows best though!I must be MAD but I am going with 2-1 Stoke, Fuller and Jerome to score! (yes you are mad allright in your own little TP wonderland world with Johnson and co) 2-1 me backside”

  • Profile image for DJ_Stoke

    by DJ_Stoke

    Friday, February 24 2012, 3:18PM

    “Maybe if we just ignore the guy he will go away. Its like he lives in some kind of paranoid parallel universe. Not sure I have understood anything he has ever actually written to be honest. Didn't he accuse us of being the same person also? This page has gone so far off the topic of Stoke City and football now it's literally ridicilous.”

  • Profile image for Davejjohnson

    by Davejjohnson

    Friday, February 24 2012, 9:57AM

    “What a Moron you are Matty, really can't be bothered.”

  • Profile image for mattyformore

    by mattyformore

    Friday, February 24 2012, 9:04AM

    “Bunters Potterspeil, I could recognise that forked, flowery, serpentine tongue anywhere. I should see a doctor? Look in the mirror Speil and you will see a doctor-Doctor Faecal (Johnson).”

  • Profile image for 57OKE

    by 57OKE

    Friday, February 24 2012, 12:57AM

    “Matty, I may be new to this site but I think you need to see a doctor. Seriously.”

  • Profile image for mattyformore

    by mattyformore

    Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:23PM

    “Ah ah ha ah ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I ask where sister snide Potterspeil is and it appears as 57OKE. And you say I have got multiple personalities.

    Ahh ha ha hee hee hee . Dr Faecal and Sister Snide give me some laughs on here. Its better than any comedy show”

  • Profile image for 57OKE

    by 57OKE

    Thursday, February 23 2012, 9:14PM

    “davejjohnson- you are bang on there in all you say.

    A certain 'grass', who 'speil is probably no longer able to name, got him suspended, I suspect?

    It wasn't hard to make the links you mention; they are surely all one and the same?

    Luckily, it's not hard either to re-register on this site, as our multiple users just go to prove!”

  • Profile image for Davejjohnson

    by Davejjohnson

    Thursday, February 23 2012, 4:43PM

    “1) Potterspeil may be suspended because you have grassed on him, wouldn't know though as I have no contact with him other than on here and I've never met the guy. Interesting that you have this thing about people using multiple names, perhaps you could tell me why Raftery is Pete James ? I don't care what you think but I'll say it for the last time, I use one name and it's my own and it's real.
    2) I have a go at Soccerfoot cus he has a go at me, end of story. You may notice that many others have the same thing going on with him. He writes in an aggressive and confrontational manner which prompts a similar reaction from others. No big deal, it obviously amuses us all or we would stop. There are others who have it in for him more than I do. It's tongue in cheek and I wish him no ill but he is a loony. I welcome different opinions as it prompts healthy debate. If the likes of you and Soccerfoot cut out the garbage and stuck to football I'd have no issues with any of you. This "Boggie Loo" stuff is infantile and amuses nobody but yourselves but carry on if it makes you happy.
    3) I only ridicule people who try to ridicule others, like you pair and Soccerfoot.
    4) The John Acres thing was no big deal and I don't see any record of Harry himself complaining. Anyone can say what they like as far as I'm concerned, if you don't like it don't ring P&G and don't listen to P&G. 99.9% of listeners have no problem with John Acres. Harry had plenty of opportunity to say his piece before pretty much everyone got sick of hearing it. Had Harry been cut off before being allowed his say then I would have had a problem with it but that was not the case.
    5) I don't like anything Raftery has written so far. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to how he gets on here in the first place because he has no talent for writing. Clearly you know the bloke and clearly you influence what he writes (unless Kev, Karl and Matty are all one and the same). His worst piece was the gay footballer article, who cares about the players sexuality as long as they are good footballers. It's none of my business and I don't have any hang up's about it, do you ? Entirely irrelevant.

    You can bang on at me all you like on here, it's water of a Ducks back, couldn't care less. I may reply at times when I'm bored or I may not. If you want to take it all seriously then it's up to you. I don't know or care who you are. My advice is get yourselves a job and go and do something useful instead of worrying about this rubbish. Must go, there's a match to watch.”

  • Profile image for Stokiekarl44

    by Stokiekarl44

    Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:57AM

    “Davjjohnson lets get one thing straight. I listen to Praise and Grumble most weeks and I used to send texts in but don't any more. The last text I sent criticised Tony Pulis and John Acres made a belittling comment. It is not his place to do this he is supposed to be neutral and not take sides. Harry did go on a bit when he phoned in but he should not be ridiculed by a presenter for it. Many people feel Mr Acres goes over the top and he even admits it himself in relation to Harry. He never told the listeners he had apologised to Harry did he? Johnson you are narked because you like ridiculing people who have differing views too. You have repeatedly insulted Soccerfoot over months for having different views. That's the real reason you are put out with the article.”

  • Profile image for mattyformore

    by mattyformore

    Thursday, February 23 2012, 11:36AM

    “Davey where is the other half of your personality Sister Snide Potterspeil? Giving him a rest are you so you can pretend he has been to Valencia so he can gain the moral high ground when he comes back? You are fooling no one you numbskull”

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