Bill Lothian: Scotland in flux after Dan Parks’ departure
Dan Parks
Dan PARKS’ decision to quit Test rugby in circumstances where he found himself the subject of much ire following a Scotland defeat at home to England could well come back to haunt him.
At a stroke the stand off has given sustenance to critics. A moment of instant gratification, perhaps, then what...
More importantly for many will be the fact Dan, pictured, has left at a time where the international team he has represented 67 times are in a state of flux and who knows how the immediate future will play out for any much less experienced successor in the short term? Surely the country’s calling at any time means more than walking way mid-tournament?
Such actions are, of course, Parks’ prerogative but again the phrase ‘sticks and stones’ comes to mind and the player should remember the lifestyle he enjoys as a professional sportsman has come from those who fill the stands.
Whenever Dan Parks’ record 17 Scottish drop goals are recalled it is likely the manner of his leaving will not be far behind while one conundrum still to be reconciled is coach Andy Robinson’s view that Parks “has made the right decision”.
How can this be so when the player was integral to a massive Scotland game last time out ... and surplus to requirements now?
In an age where success is demanded yesterday and there are unprecedented means of getting their message across maybe Parks will actually be recalled as a pioneer in deciding “enough is enough” where flak is concerned?
Somehow, though, I doubt it and maybe it is just as well he wasn’t representing, say, Hawick in the 1970s when players were regularly stopped on journeys down the High Street on a Monday after defeat and told what was expected of them.
Mind you, at least the criticism in those days was expressed face-to-face!
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Comments
There are 21 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Jed123
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 05:56 PMNot the only one who should be stepping down after writing that pile of old tosh !!!!! wow !!! perhaps one article too far Bill, crikey that was awful
donald marr
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:33 AMI don't agree with some of what you say in your admirably sympathetic article Bill. I just find it amazing Dan Parks played 67 times for Scotland! A game or two too far I think
Tweedsider
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:17 AMBill Lothian – a man who never let high journalistic standards get in the way of his prejudices. This article just displays his petty nature. When did Bill Lothian ever play for Scotland? He is just jealous
CuillinDreams
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 07:16 PMMy previous comment was removed. I assume this was because I referred to a post that was also removed. Can again ask that the contents of this article are retracted. Dan Parks played for Scotland 67 times. His decision must be respected. This article demonstrates no respect for either the subject or the reader.
CaptainMidnight
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 06:52 PMVery poor journalism. Tut-tut.
midlothianboy
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 05:50 PMMr Jaffa - Well said . This is not the first time that I've had comments removed by the Moderator and all those comments were very moderate indeed .What they had in common was that they were critical of The Scotsman or one of it's journalists.
MrJaffa
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 05:35 PM#10 Neiljameshunter....... The lack of use of a real name in my post is hardly fit for criticism....... I am required to register on this site to be allowed to make comments and the fact I choose to do so under a made up name does not in any way indicate that I am embarrassed by what I write. Lets make this clear ..... Bill Lothian is PAID MONEY to write articles and it is only fair that readers can see which journalist it is that is penning said articles. Comments on the storyline are just that.....flippant remarks made in response to articles by Joe Public..... when the Scotsman changes their rules to only allow real names, I will use my real name......if they wish to pay me to write an article or two....or even pay me to write comments.....then again.... I will be more than willing to use my real name.
MrJaffa
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 05:31 PMDear Scotsman editor........ What is the point of having a comments thread on the bottom of an article if any comments that criticise the newspaper are removed by the moderator???????????????????? There was nothing objectionable in any of the comments above but you have felt the need to remove them ....... presumably on the basis they criticised both the lack of a journalists name against the article AND the content of the article................... I am glad to see that Bill Lothians name has now, belatedly, been attributed to the article, however it does not remove from the fact the content of the article is out of order and lacking in any respect for Dan Parks as a person OR a rugby player. ( a point that #1,2,4,5,6,7 and possibly 8 made before being removed!!!!!)........................................................Dan Parks retirement will not come back to haunt Dan Parks...... it might come back to haunt Scotland if Laidlaw and\or Weir get injured and we are left with no regular stand off to pick. But that is hardly Dan Parks fault. In fact if you believe John Beattie, part of the blame for that has to fall on some of the journalists who are unable to accept Dan Parks as a talented (but limited) International Rugby player........................Poor show Bill Lothian........ and even poorer show Scotsman!!!!!!!!!................
midlothianboy
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 02:17 PM#12 the one priority.You are right that the original was uncredited.Several posters including myself ponited out how shabby and hypocritical that was and have had their comments deleted without explanation or apology.Shoddy journalism.
theonepriority
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:43 PMThis was terrible article with no sporting or journalistic value. I may be getting old, but I am certain that the original edition did not contain Bill Lothian's name...otherwise I would have phoned him. I will remember Parks for having the courage to answer Andy Robinsons call, even though his form was poor. I have said time and again the coach picks the team not the players. So if Bill Lothian wants so badly to blame someone, then look at Robinson and Townsend..if it was really the right time for Parks to retire, why drag him out for one last game? Of course he was flawed, of course we all screamed at him when he bungled a clearance kick, but oh how we all cheered when he got three MOM in a row. I played rugby in Hawick in the 70s and 80s..and my granny avec umberella was the first to berate players who didnt value the green jersey. However that is a long way from the sniping and rabid character assasination that takes place in the press these days. Have a look at how many comments have been removed by the moderator. This was a petty article. Not fair, not right....we read and buy, and advertise with the Scotsman because it is fair, and honest and gives everyone a fair crack of the whip. Michael James McLaren Story
Son of the Dog
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:19 PMBill Lothian, what exactly is your point? Are you seriously accusing Dan Parks of some form of cowardice and disloyalty? He left - rightly - after one game with time to sort things out during this 6N campaign, and not mid-tournament. The timing for a difficult decision was as good as it could have been. Moreover to his great credit, he left without any sense of bitterness and rancour and cheap criticism. That is more than you have managed.
neiljameshunter
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:10 PMWith regard to the complaints about not naming the article, the authors name is in the headline, so he did have his name. This clarifies what he said about not making annonymous comments, and call me a cynic, but I'm fairly certain Mr Jaffa and midlothianboy are not real names.
GrandSlammer
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:07 PMAgree with the majority here. This is a personal attack on a professional sportsman and a dreadful article to publish. And we wonder why Dan has taken this decision in the first place!?
theonepriority
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:47 PMComment removed by moderator
CuillinDreams
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:45 PMComment removed by moderator
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