Firstly I popped back in as someone messaged me to say Slim had been banned for calling me a C**t and me being me was like what the devil did I do I haven't even been on there. So the first thing I'd say is it wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest I'm all for freedom of speech and sticks and stones philosophy. And before I go any further I quite like Slim.
It's very rare I'd disagree with you Luke but I think you're wrong having a pop at a new member just on the basis that he's fairly new and saying that as such his opinion doesn't count. He's also probably our youngest member and as far as forum longevity amongst a bunch of old farts such as us, his opinion may be more valid than most . Bar commenting that telling new members to f%*& off and calling people cunts every other word is fairly, at the very least strange if not generally frowned upon I can't see as he's actually one of the ones who was offended by it he has just shrugged it off and carried on regardless and probably labelled Slim as a bit of a weirdo.
Is it us or him ? He's banned from everywhere isn't he ? I get it, it's this "ICY persona" at what price? His tips on here mean nothing to me I find the amount of praise he gets in comparison to others on here triggers my gag reflex. But that's what self promotion can bring. I don't care if he's been quoted by RTV, I couldn't give a shit whether he's been a pro punter for however many years, I used to Squat and deadlift around 400lbs these days I struggle to carry the shopping to the car, I had years where I've cleared 30k profit betting in the main in 50's and 100's these days i'd be lucky to break even. What's in the past is in the past and "remember when" is the lowest form of conversation. At the end of the day what's he doing now ? Most recently he proved that although doing well himself that Reet was actually outperforming him on his own thread. As for knowledge of form himself he'd be behind plenty here, I reckon as I'd said there would be a huge differential between what he comes up with himself and what he draws from his networking of others ( Not that that isn't a talent in its own right). I don't see pages of thank you Reet when he puts up a winner he might get half a dozen. We have the likes of yourself and Treff who don't put up many bets but when either of you do they are never far from the mark, The likes of Ian, Euro and Reet who regularly put up winners. I haven't taken that much notice of new members but from just a quick scan the What are you backing today thread Wee man put up 11/2 and 16/1 winners in the same day and barely got a nod of approval from anywhere. Last time Outsider tracked his bets over a year he finished massively up. We're not short of people who put winners. There are probably plenty more not mentioned.
So when I say at what price and that I don't give a shit about Slims tips or anyone elses for that matter as I've never needed a golden tit to cling to what I will say is he could be a giant loss to a forum. I've loved reading his Substacks he has a real talent for writing. It's not just that but in general he does have things that are really worth saying his knowledge of markets, betting in general and sometimes he's more privvy to what's going on behind the scenes makes him an interesting guy all round.
You say that what is in effect a permanent ban ? Is that because you think he'd never be able to reign it in ? I found it very strange as to why Slim came back onto here in the first place what's in it for him ? Why do most of us post on a forum ? I'd suggest in the main to feel part of a group. People who talk the same strange language, of lengths, handicaps, furlongs, ground and prices. If you want to be part of the group then usually the group and the whole group decides what what counts as fair play. If Slim decides not to return that's down to him, some will be bothered, some more than others whilst I dare say some will say good riddance. But if the price to be paid is not saying the word C**T or telling new members to f%*& off or even not belittling other posters then it's not a huge price to pay for being in the group or for that matter in any group. If you're banned from every platform it's pretty isolating and you could puff your chest out and say i don't care if I'm banned, but if you don't care if you're banned why did you sign up in the first place? The funny side of it is when belittling members on here I dare say there are a number of members who could show him a pound for every penny he has but you wouldn't know because they don't need to rub it in peoples faces, people in general that live amazing lives but again don't need to show it off or belittle him. Also lets imagine that one of these new members who signs up is the most knowledgeable horse racing pundit ever known (after Ian of course ) and Slim tells him to f%*& off. New member thinks to himself what the bloody hell is this and never posts again. What if the new member is the next Walsworth full of comedic genius that makes members laugh every day. There's always a hidden cost to slamming a door in someones face.
Telling people to f%*& off and calling people cunts may have some sort of comedic effect maybe only for the right audience, but it seems to. But for how long ? How many times is it funny ? Sometimes in order to move forward in life you have to let some old parts of you die off. My opinion it for what its worth ( and for which he'd probably tell me to f%*& off and call me a c***) Is perhaps it's time to let the Icy persona die off. It's only really setting him back. He has something special, a gift with writing and ways of saying things and things that need saying but he's limiting his audience and his own potential by being a daft prick.
Hope you're all well and winning. I might return myself in the spring if you'll have me
. Quoted at 50s.
