How much patriotic was Buster Mottram?

[kiki]

Buster Mottram was a fine player but he didn´t have too many big results on the pro tour.

However, this somehow brash and arrogant player was a member of the British National Front and he showed his love for the Union Jack overhyping himself to have some memorable Dc wins and reaching the DC final in 1978.He beat US nº 2 player Brian Gottfried IN THE US, during that final rubber and Gottfried was a far more accomplished player than Buster.He lost to John Mc Enroe, the other case of patriotism during those years.

How was he viewed in England? are there more cases of players whose better play happened during DC missions?

 

[kiki]

Buster was the DC type of player, no doubt about it.

 

[Gonzo_style]

More patriotic than Baghdatis?

 

[RUC]

He was involved with the National Front for a bit and has tried to run as a Tory with little luck a number of times.

Not really looked upon fondly as the NF in the late 70s about as close to being a N A Z I as you could get.

 

[jaggy]

He was a strange one, he played all over Britain in pro tournaments, even when he was at his prime he could be found at small tournaments in Glasgow or the North of England. He spoke with a very proper BBC/home counties accent and was very much a conservative, more into Enoch Powell than the national front I would have said although the early national front were less ****. He gave up the game to play bridge I believe, at least for a while. He had talent but no consistent big shot so never was going to win a big one.

 

[jaggy]

The censorship was for the word n a z i

 

[Mainad]

Buster was a player of considerable talent and what you would describe as 'a dangerous floater'. He never got past the 4th round of a Slam and his highest ever ranking was #15 but he was something of a Davis Cup hero for GB helping to take them to the 1978 finals and beating the great Italian super-star, Adriano Panatta in straight sets and on Italian soil much to the 'delight' of the home crowd who pelted him with coins!

Angry Italy fans hit me with coins! Mottram relives his ordeal ahead of Davis Cup clash:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/te...ram-relives-ordeal-ahead-Davis-Cup-clash.html


Politically, he was a bit of a right-wing nutter always associated with the British National Front and considered too far right even for the UK Independence Party which tells you something!


A 1981 picture of Buster with Paul McCartney,oops, I mean Adriano Panatta! :wink:

 

[kiki]

Funny things you learn about the mentality of mods here...had I opened up this thread with a title like " Was Buster Mottram a real fascist" it´d have been delated time ago...but since the title reads " How Patriotic was Mottram" they haven´t.

Sometimes, it all depends on which words rather than which issue you choose.Isn´t it?

 

[Baxter]

Funny things you learn about the mentality of mods here...had I opened up this thread with a title like " Was Buster Mottram a real fascist" it´d have been delated time ago...but since the title reads " How Patriotic was Mottram" they haven´t.

Sometimes, it all depends on which words rather than which issue you choose.Isn´t it?

No, you opened with "How much patriotic was..." That's probably what through them off, just like it did me.

 

[BobbyOne]

Funny things you learn about the mentality of mods here...had I opened up this thread with a title like " Was Buster Mottram a real fascist" it´d have been delated time ago...but since the title reads " How Patriotic was Mottram" they haven´t.

Sometimes, it all depends on which words rather than which issue you choose.Isn´t it?

kiki, Yes I know and agree...;-)

 

[jaggy]

I found this, well worth a read on davis Cup weekend

http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/34761210

 

[Mainad]

Buster in his heyday:

Buster today:

 

[Phoenix1983]

^ looking a bit haggard there!

 

[jaggy]

^ looking a bit haggard there!

Poster boy for the far right.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Buster in his heyday:

Buster today:

Looks like methface.