Well according to a mate of mine who was in the thick of it, yeah.

it was all a pantomime.

He took the bait and so should get abuse for it. He should know better. He is paid to be there and to remain a pro. Whoever shouted abuse or jibes at him, as long as they weren't threatening to physical assault him or were insulting his family, were there to enjoy themselves. If he doesn't like that aspect of the job, he should quit. Personally, I wish he would. I find him arrogant and annoying and the worst member of staff at Sky Sports Rugby League.

However, my feelings aside HE, not the fans (who probably have reason to shout abuse at him) is in the wrong.

I don't think it was a 'who are ya' chant that got the desired reaction? I think it's a sad sign of the times and reflects badly on our supporters that abusing someone is classed as having fun. The beach balls is fun. Singing and cheering is fun. Abuse is abuse, no matter how you wrap it up.

I wouldn't bother, Milly.

Oh well if your mate says so....

On the other hand, the more clued up amongst us will realise that your mate is mistaken

I'll take his word for it over somebody sat at home or in the West Stand.

At least Clarkey would never do it to the Wigan fans....we had our superstar centre and crowd favourite Matt King making a winker gesture at his own fans. But of course that wasn't Wire fans fault - King should have 'risen above it'

Since when has Scum v Liverpool been a derby ??????????

It isn't geographically but it is refered to as the "North West Derby".

I've been going football matches since 1973 and ive never heard of a North West Derby .

City v Scum , Neverton v Liverpool . Chester v Wrexham , Blackburn v Burnley , PNE v Blackpool , Wigan V Bolton , Rochdale v Oldham could also be " North West Derbies " .

I'm enjoying the irony of a Man City fan calling Everton 'Neverton'.....Coming from a supporter of a side whose biggest game of the last 30 years has been a play off final from the third tier of English football...Very droll...

Ha ha . Fair play mate . But i know who's shoes i'd rather be in .

You have to feel sorry for them really being "born" into it.

What shoes??....You have had to resort to selling the soul of your club just to get within a sniff of success, and when, or if, it eventually comes, you will receive absolutely no credit because of the crass way you have gone about your business.

Shame really, always had a soft spot for City, but now they epitomise everything that is wrong with football.

Feel sorry for who . Me or him ???????????

Fair enough if you haven't heard off it. I haven't been going football matches since 1973 because I wasn't born then but I am a season ticket holder at Anfield.

Wigan V Boltons hardly a derby.

Not you money bags

Where do you sit?

I stand, in the Kop. It interfers with Warrington occaisonally.

I take it your a Everton fan . Uncle Bill has put you lot on the market ? So what happens if a multi Billianore comes along and buys you lot ? My team who i have watched home and away week in week out for the last 25 years have won the lottery and im personally loving it . Every one liked us when we playing Bury , Macc , York etc now we are a threat they dont like us .

Do you stand at the front or the back? I like to stand at the front better view.

Wasnt Des Drummond racially abused because he had ran into or been pushed /tackled into the pitch side wall bumping into a widnes fan and his child in a pure accident which was more the fans fault for sitting on the wall.

hardly "leaping into the crowd"........

and then Des was found not guilty of assault if i remember correctly but was never reinstated into the GB side from which he was suspended

I dont think its the same scenario......is it?

United vs Liverpool? Psttt, try England vs Russia in the heart of Moscow for bad behaviour and "goading"

How dare Phil Clarke take exception to people shouting personal abuse at him. Not as if he was outside walking the streets. He should accept foul abusive language from a cross section of dim witted boozed up fans in good humour. Perhaps congratulate them in their continued unoriginal rhetoric and sycronised head gestures.

After all, if they didn't get a reaction what would have been the point, could have used that hand for another 2 pint of lager.