WITH regard to Stephen Cummings' column (LET, May 11), I am surprised you allow such provocative articles to be printed.

The theme of hatred within this piece only adds to the tension between our two local football clubs. His use of the word "hate" should in my opinion not be allowed and I would ask that whoever vets this column does a better job in the future.

It should be remembered children also read the newspapers and I do not want my sons tarnished with this man's antagonistic thoughts.

Perhaps with his team floundering in the lower leagues for the past couple of decades, he does not know that families have returned to top class football where people support their team as opposed to "hating" the opposition.

His petulant jealousy of a football club, despite relegation a level above that of his own, is quite evident.

I leave him with one thought - if his club had concentrated on building a squad capable of reaching the top half of Division Two, rather than hoping local rivals fail, we would all have a derby game to really look forward to.

D HORNBY, Jacks Key Drive, Darwen.

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