Is it racist to be happy that Nolan is English and white?

A debate has been "raging" on here because somebody posted delight at the signing of Nolan because he is English and white. The contention is that this is racist, not least because the comment also referred to the player's commitment. I quote: "great signing and he is a white english player so he will have real heart for next season."

My initial reaction was that the comment might be in response to the betrayal of Ba, following on from the defections of Ince, Defoe and Reo-Choker. We might add to that list Piqiounne, Dyer, Faubert, McCarthy and Ilunga whose commitment to the cause has been questionable this season and Hines, if it is true that he is quitting the club. Many also believe that Cole's efforts fell some way short of 100% last season.

But then, we could point to Upson as a white player who has coasted. And Lampard demanded a move of course. And West Ham legend Scotty Parker - Mr 100% - is doing his level best to secure a move to Tottenham. So this clearly isn't a clear cut black and white issue, if you will excuse the pun.

That said, since the emergence of black players in the game, how many have truly endeared themselves to West Ham fans? The bulk of the Judas figures, unfortunately, are black and I think that the Big White Fat Judas Lampard had a legitimate reason to shaft the club after the sacking of his Dad and Uncle.

So, who are the black cult heroes? Clyde Best was something of a joke figure but fans were truly racist back then. The first black hero was probably George Parris and with good reason given he appeared 300 times for the club. But who else?

Rio of course, but he left when still a  Beaujolais Nouveau, he only matured in the bottle at Man Utd. Not his fault I know, but he still left before we saw the best of him - unlike, for example, Cottee (although Joe Cole left early too, as did Johnson of course.) Brother Anton never endeared himself did he? He appeared over 150 times but there was always a question mark over his passion and his enthusiasm if up against a Kevin Davies figure. Zamora gave his all and the fans loved him, but he has looked a much better player since joining Fulham. Mention him as a candidate for England whilst at West Ham and you would have been laughed out of the Duke of Edinburgh! Mullins was an unsung hero but you won't hear him remembered afectionately by many Hammers fans. Trevor Sinclair did well of course, and Shaka but would either make it into many fans' team of favourites?

Who else? David James? Hmmmmmm. Harewood. Hmmmm. Boa? Hmmmm. Carlton? Hmmmmm. Gabbidon? Hmmmmm. Obinna? Hmmmmm. Stanislas? Hmmmm. Savio? Hmmmmmmmmmm. Camara? Hmmmmm. Paintsil? Better at Fulham. Newton? Hmmmmmm. Quashie? Hmmmmmmm. McAnuff? Hmmmmmm. Titi Camamra? Hmmmmmm. Song? Hmmmmmmmm. Kanoute? Very good player but where did he go and how committed was he in a West Ham shirt? Gary Charles? Hmmmmm. Paolo Wanchope? Hmmmmmm. Ian Wright. But how long did we have him and Arsenal are his club really, like Brady. Foe? Only played 50 games. Les Ferdinand? 12 starts. Whitebread? Hmmmmm.  Matty Rush? Hmmmmmm. Small? Hmmmmmm. Mitchell Thomas? Hmmmmmm. Chris Hughton? Less than 50 games and really a Spurs man. Lero Roseinoir? Only started just over 50 games.  Justin Fashanu? Hmmmmm. Bobby Barnes? Hmmmmmm. Ade Coker? Hmmmmmm. It isn't a roll of honour is it?

Now turn to those who played last season and, ranking them purely on effort, who would be the top five players? Parker definitely. Noble probably (compare his return from appendicitis with Piquionne missing a game with toothache). Spector arguably. Tomkins unquestionably. Sears surely. O'Neil potentially. Green probably. What do they all have in common? And what nationality are six of them?

Then list the players who have sweated blood for the Claret and Blue cause since the emergence of black players. Could anybody argue that the real blood, sweat and tears merchants would be Alvin Martin, Julian Dicks, Scott Parker, Ray Stewart, Geoff Pike, Stuart Pearce (albeit briefly), Mad Dog Allen, Steve Lomas, George Parris, Steve Potts, Tony Cottee, John Hartson, Repka and Ludek Miklosko? (Bonds and co predate the black revolution in the game.) What do all but Parris have in common? What nationality are seven of them? How many come from the British Isles?

Is it racist to point this out? When you look at the facts, it is hard to argue against somebody expressing pleasure at the signing of a white Englishman based on commitment. Sadly, the facts support the view that this policy is likely to produce a more committed player wearing Claret and Blue. Have I been selective with the evidence? Well I've missed out Brevett but how significant was he? I've not gone back to John Charles, but then I've not included Moore, Bonds, Paddon, Pop Robson, Patsi Holland, Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, David Cross, etcetera. If you go back that far, the stats count against black players because there were so few in the game.

And I will be honest here, I was pleased that we had signed a white Englishman and I am desperate for us to keep hold of Noble, Tomkins and Collison (Welsh I know) for the same reason. Because I am racist? No. I am pleased for the same reason that it was important for Viv Anderson and Cyril Regis to play in the 80's. White players are needed now as role models, an example to young white English boys that they too can play in the Premiership for West Ham: having black skin or being a foreigner is not a pre-requisite.

Racist? Perhaps the guy who left the original comment is a racist, I don't know. What I do know is that the stats appear to suggest that for West Ham, buying a white British player is likely to be a better bet than buying a black British player or a black foreign player. Why is that? I don't know. But if you want to argue the case, please give the evidence that contradicts this conclusion because present players and past players support that conclusion. Or have I got it wrong?