England Footballer Micah Richards Lets Down The Community Where He Grew Up

This article is not written by a true member of the Chapeltown community and is actually some parasite who lives off of the benefits that Chapeltown gives (eg, cheap, luxurious houses).

Whilst they are happy to name Micah and both of his parents, they chose to remain anonymous because they're a coward. Micah is a local community hero. He is the patron of the Black Health Initiative and we are truly grateful to him for reinvesting in the community and for the other positive things he does.

If Micah was caught speeding, drink driving, beating his girlfriend, being caught with prostitutes, taking drugs, sleeping with team mates wives/girlfriends, etc, this author would be happy, happy, happy. But Micah is doing none of those things because he was raised better by Lincoln and Heather. This obviously distresses the author and they need to find another angle. It's pathetic!! Micah is actually doing something positive.

Members of the community know that our elderly cannot afford a place in a private nursing home at a cost to £500+ per week!! The author is living in cloud cuckoo land and has posted the article here in the hope that Chapeltown community members wouldn't see it. Didn't they know we can actually read and write??

We have had a dance school in our community for over quarter of a century and those students have never been seen to be drunken, litter-bugs or any of the other anti-student labels the author has written - it's doubtful that the author even knew that there is a dance school in Chapeltown or has ever met one of our valued students.

My advice to the author is to go back to the neighbourhood you were raised in and slag off the community heros from there. Do not come into Chapeltown and rant about the goings on here because until you can mention your name you're not even part of the conversation.

As a black man, I'm ashamed of that response, the content and tone of your response is quite frankly a disgrace.

"go back to the neighbourhood you were raised"? You should know better.

Anonymous poster, you put a somewhat emotional spin on your argument, it's true, but in no way were you disrespectful to Micah and the ugly response was both unkind and unwarranted.

Our elderly should have the opportunity, even the right to live out their final years amongst friends and family within their community, whether by means tested benefits, or through their own recognisance and for those that sadly end up in a home, currently, that is not possible.

As Xina say’s Chapeltown has housed students for many years, by integrating them within the community without need for large converted blocks of flats.

Like you, I feel like once again Chapeltown as a community is being diminished year on year with the loss of bank, building societies, petrol station, post office and now care home so thank you for voicing the opinion of so many of us so eloquently.

Xina, if you feel the need to defend someone, perhaps you should speak to some of our elderly and most treasured residents, I’m sure you will find a great many of them infinitely more deserving of the description of ‘community hero’. Failing that speak to the many people who care for those residents on meagre wages but with hearts of gold and If you need to better understand the system in place for all elderly to be provided with appropriate care regardless of their ability to pay – might I suggest Chapeltown CAB, where a great number of real heroes freely give their time and expertise as volunteers to advise and assist those in our community who need it most.

"You don't speak for me ",

1) I certainly do not speak for you or people like you
2) You should be VERY ashamed - of yourself.

Let me point out some glaringly obvious facts about the first post since you're too busy being ashamed of me to see the obvious. The following is stated about Micah Richards:

* his flats are a money-grubbing scheme
* he has cruelly deceive the elderly trustees of UCA House, the local residents network, and the Charities Commission
* he has taken advantage of a tragic situation and of relatively cheap property prices in Chapeltown to set himself up as a student mega-landlord
* "one trustee was literally on her death-bed" is mentioned as though this is somehow due to Micah
* he has flagrantly ignored the genuine needs of the community
* he has been so insensitive as to take a predominately black care home and replace it with flats for students, who will certainly be predominately white
* his development of the flats involved certain amount of corrupt practice.
* his motivation is money coupled with a total lack of care, respect, and responsibility in terms of the community

On top of this, Micah's parents are both named and assumptions are made about their care when they are elderly based on Michah's income. So the writer of the post can be SO personal whilst we don't even know his name never mind his parents' names?? Come on "You don't speak for me", open your eyes! The post was disrespectful to Micah, his parents and was ugly, unkind and unwarranted. But you want to busy yourself being ashamed of me?

You say "Our elderly should have the opportunity, even the right to live out their final years amongst friends and family within their community" - I agree, which is why I visit my elderly relative at Harewood Court rest home just opposite Potternewton Park. I feel this is accessible and it's nearer to the park than UCA House was so the residence can get there for their exercise with less assistance.

Where was your outrage at the mismanagement of UCA House? Were you active in trying to rectify the situation? Or were you busy being ashamed?

Your weak attempt to dictate who I may defend has a total lack of relevance. The anonymous poster was not attacking the elderly nor was he attacking volunteers at the CAB. Had he done so perhaps I would have defended them.

By the way, did you vote for any of those carers with hearts of gold or CAB volunteers to get a Leeds Black Award this year? Before you start jumping up and down and getting all ashamed again, Leeds Black Awards are open to both black people AND people from any other race who have made a positive impact on the black experience. Hmmmm, I doubt you did.

Regarding my "bigoted" remark about the person going back to the neighbourhood they were raised in and the need for you to announce that you are "a black man". You have clearly assumed that my remark was racially based however, this assumption is due to your bigoted outlook not mine.

People come to Chapeltown from different areas throughout Leeds, Yorkshire, the UK and the world; if you knew anything about Chapeltown you'd know this has been the case for hundreds of years. When I was growing up in Leopold Grove I lived opposite an English couple, a Jewish lady and a Polish lady - my view of Chapeltown and it's residents clearly isn't as narrow as yours and I don't assume that only people who are not black would come into Chapeltown and give an opinion I don't agree with. I don't only agree with black people and you, apparently, are a case in point.

I find your attitude cringeworthy to say the least. The original poster was scathing and insulting not only about Micah and his parents but also about students too. Have they ever been known to burn the grass with barbecues at the Rec' or Potternewton Park? Do you ever see dance students going around in drunken packs, littering the place? It's not "reasonable" to suggest such things about members of the community - it's actually a disgrace to say such things and yet you would say it's reasonable and articulate. I wonder why you would praise such a post and put mine down? Like I said, cringeworthy.

Lastly, please do not refer to me as Xina. You and I are not on first name terms; you are anonymous, remember? If you feel the need to address me by my name, you may refer to me as Mrs Broderick, as I had posted it. The fact that my email address has my first name in it is by no means an invitation for you to use it.

Mrs Broderick

The facts which you have stated from the initial post are just that, FACTS!
*These flats are a "money-grubbing scheme" as there is no real need for a large student let such as this. There are several houses in which 5 or 6 students live together as close house-mates, sharing shopping, bills, chores etc and building relationships with their neighbours - a large complex will not allow relationships like this to flourish.

*There was a certain amount of "deceit" when this property was purchased as there was no information given to the residents closest to the property about what was intended and by the time they did find out, the plans had already been agreed.

* "the genuine needs of the community" have been neglected - a residential home for our elderly IS needed. One which will provide their cultural as well as care needs - as UCA house did.

* There is little doubt that the students who will live there will "certainly be predominately white" and more than likely NOT be from Chapeltown.

* The "motivation" for this student complex really has to be nothing more than "money"
as the complex will add nothing at all to Chapeltown, it may in fact, have a detrimental effect on the prices of the surrounding houses.
I agree that the students who live in Chapeltown are respectful and as far as i am aware, crime has not risen (long may this continue) as it has in the Leeds 6 area. The original poster states that car-traffic will rise as will litter - i think this is sadly inevitable and it will spoil what is currently a peaceful and quiet picturesque part of the area.

I am a resident of Chapeltown and I think "You dont speak for me" is possibly a resident too and i am unsure as to whether you, Mrs Broderick, are too; if you are then you should understand a sympathise with the issues both posters have highlighted. Our elders deserve to remain in the community in which they have been for 50+ years and they deserve to be surrounded by their culture is they so wish. Heart-breakingly for those who were moved out of the area, this is too late. Micah et al had a choice to make and they made it, sadly, they did not think of the community first! Chapeltown is suffering with the loss of "bank, building societies, petrol station, post office and now care home" which again, affects our elderly the most. We have also lost and need youth clubs, a social space for all ages, community transport to name but a few things which would benefit our community greatly. I 100% agree with the "gentrification" comment from Chapeltown Resident, it really is happening before our very eyes!

Mrs Broderick, both of your posts seem to be written in anger when "Chapeltown Resident" and "You dont speak for me" were both merely stating facts. There are many a community hero amongst our aged locals and other age groups and i think "You...me" was correct in stating that. Many of them go about this quietly and daily, many of them can no longer do what they did years ago but Micah is local young man done good and I am really, really pleased for him and his family but, to call him a hero of our community, I feel is a little bit too grandiose.

I too have chosen not to put my name etc on here as i dont think it is at all necessary (or wise...internet security) but what is important for you know is that i am a resident of Chapeltown who did not take advantage of any cheap house prices; I support my community the best I can; I work; I am proud to live in Chapeltown and enjoy the diversity it offers and I am concerned about what happens to Chapeltown and it's community.

Lastly, the "go back to your own neighbourhood" comment to Chapeltown Resident (clearly this is his/her neighbourhood) from you was not very pretty.

I want to pick up on Mrs Broderick's point that it does seem unsavoury to name his parents as if their family affairs affect you personally, strange.
The bottom line appears to be the bottom line on this one, a business opportunity arose and someone who could took advantage of that did, if I could have I would have too.
Its very easy to tap away at a keyboard and anonymously judge someone instead of just dealing with the reality but I'm wondering why you so harshly blame Micah Richards for it? Surely LCC would come off worse for shutting it down in the first place? Maybe your anger should be directed elsewhere.
I have lived in Chapeltown most of my life and look upon his acquisition of the property to be a good thing as for the longest time there were buildings just sat doing nothing, becoming derelict with no sign of renovation or regeneration or even a small investment into making Chapeltown somewhere where people want to move to and now this guy is trying to do so (yes by making money in the process) and people are moaning!? I'd be curious to know what the other plans for the property were if he didn't buy...
Things are starting to happen in this area and the negative connotation Chapeltown once had seems to be dispersing particularly when speaking to people who aren't from here. Things are changing because money is being invested, developments are in action and this can only happen when someone is willing to "buy in".
I can understand that we need more facilities for the elderly but I don't think that the closure of UCA House can be blamed on Micah Richards and or his parents, this is the kind of issue that the local authority are paid to listen to and if you started a petition of some sort and maybe got the residents to co-sign(speak to councillors) then that might be the correct forum and procedure, rather than trying to incite some sort of hatred.
Towards the end of your post you seem to touch on race a fair bit and I'm curious as to why its such a problem that students who aren't black could move in to the area. Surely whoever moves in will be bringing money to the area (money that it needs) and with the amount of CCTV and daily police patrols in the area I'm curious about your crime point too.
I'm really not sat here thinking that he is a hero to be honest, I'm thinking that someone made a good business decision which will bring more people and money to the area in the long run. Business is Business!
Your post seems quite aggressive (e.g. the quotes Mrs Broderick used) and I cant help but wonder if it is all a bit over emotional, misdirected and generally odious.

This is not a 'family affair', it affects all Chapeltown residents who intend to stay for the long term. Naming Micah's parents is firstly a non issue as their names are public record, revealed with a simple search on Google, and secondly very relevant as you can be sure that Micah was busy playing football - not masterminding the purchase of UCA house.

What caused the closure of UCA house is no part of this argument.
Race is no part of this argument.

Leading the community to believe that you will keep UCA house as a care home then backing out of that may well have been very profitable. BUT IT IS WRONG.

On that basis alone, depriving the community of that purpose renovated building as a care home IS WRONG

As young resident says there are buildings just sat doing nothing, becoming derelict with no sign of renovation or regeneration so why not use one of those?

Not all investment is good investment, building this dance student targeted accommodation will not bring more people and money into the area. After all, the students are already here.

Mr Broderick. Lifetime resident

There is nothing disrespectful about the original post (though Mrs Broderick's rant contains a number of offensive comments). Since Mr Richards' parents are involved with this rather murky business, why is it disrespectful to name them? There were a number of objections to this venture from local residents, but most knew nothing about it until permission had already been granted. I know a little about this matter and can't see anything inaccurate in the article above, which is very clearly written by a local resident. Bearing in mind the aggressive response from Mrs Broderick, it is hardly surprising that they and other posters chose to remain anonymous. Try reading the original article again Mrs Broderick, and comment on what it actually says, rather than spouting offensive rubbish. These student flats are of no benefit whatsoever to local residents.

Your first post wouldn't have anything to do with the fact you and your hubs were nominees at Leeds Black Awards would it Xina? Bad luck again by the way. Did you both get awards from the cops for the work you did with them last August? You're just a self-serving ladder-climber.

I myself moved to Chapeltown as a student more than 20 years ago, and I was a student again as recently as 6 years ago. So I am not 'anti-student' and see nothing anti-student about this piece. Students have always lived here, but as part of a community, not as some awful student enclave like in Leeds 6. A load of student flats will make a big difference to the area and not for the better I don't think. As has already been said, this is all just about money, nothing more. If Micah Richards wants to invest money in Chapeltown why can't he do it so the community benefits or at least isn't harmed?

It’s ironic that you accuse me of a “rant” Mrs Broderick, bearing in mind your own offensive and hysterical tirade, which has little connection to my article, or indeed to reality. I think we’ve all come across hectoring bullies like you before, people who think they are the sole arbiters of who the “true” members of a community are, who think they have the right to tell others to ‘get back to where they’ve come from’, and compensate for their lack of argument with aggressive language and personal attacks. If you see yourself as an ambassador for Chapeltown (rather than just sucking up to a successful local footballer), you’re a very poor one in my opinion. So until you get elected to that position – hopefully NEVER – maybe drop the royal “we”, you don’t speak for anyone but yourself, and other posters have rightly called you on your offensive remarks and lack of genuine argument. It’s a shame you couldn’t deal with the factual issues raised in my report rather than simply launching an irrational and ill-informed personal attack upon its author.

I don’t think you are stupid enough to imagine I would bother to have written this piece if I was NOT a resident of Chapeltown and did not care about the Chapeltown community Mrs Broderick. As for your contradictory claims about my living in a “cheap, luxurious” house, I can assure you that my RENT is not cheap, and my HOME very far from luxurious. You may have spent some time growing up in Chapeltown Mrs Broderick, but that was a long time ago and you don’t live here now do you? Not according to the interview you gave at  http://www.enterpriseleeds.co.uk/page.aspx?id=1716 . Nor have you even lived in Leeds for much of your life, let alone in Chapeltown, and judging from your posts on this thread, I’d say you’ve picked up some rather nasty and intolerant ways in the twenty years you were away, (I certainly don’t think your intervention and some of the language you employ could be described as “spiritual”, which is how you’re fond of describing yourself elsewhere). So while you have every right to comment on my piece, and live wherever you want, please don’t try and hoodwink Indymedia readers and pretend that you’re a spokesperson for a local community in an area where you don’t actually live. ‘Backing business’ is what you’re about isn’t it, which I imagine was one of the motivating factors behind your disingenuous attempt to discredit me and my article? Small-time capitalists stick together (when it suits them), and as you said in the same interview, you just “love mixing with other business people”. Perhaps you think your assistance will be reciprocated in some way, and what do you have to lose, these flats won’t affect you personally at all, because contrary to what you imply in your posts, you don’t live anywhere near them? You live nearly two miles away from them in fact, and no doubt if you ever make the fortune you’re so desperately chasing, you’ll live even further away from them with the “business people” you like to rub shoulders with.

If you had bothered to do just a little bit of research yourself, before jumping in so stridently in defence of your fellow entrepreneur, you would see that posts on Indymedia are almost always made anonymously. Part of that is being against a culture of self-promotion, something which I’m sure is lost on you, just as the other reasons for posting anonymously would be. Business ventures on the other hand are not normally conducted anonymously, so perhaps a more pertinent question is why Micah Richards has sought to keep his own involvement in this matter secret while the local residents network were not only assured that UCA House would remain a residential care home, but that it was being purchased by someone who deeply cared about the local community and supposedly had their best interests at heart. Both statements proved to be false, part of the subterfuge involved in snapping up UCA House, which perhaps explains why Micah Richards would have preferred to remain anonymous and not be publically connected to this shabby affair. I am sure that if Mr Richards was actually doing something for the Chapeltown community here it would be all over his website and all over the media.

As for my naming Mr Richards’ parents, I did so for the simple reason that they are very much part of this venture, and I fail to see why the simple act of naming them could be construed as offensive by anyone looking at this matter in any way objectively or rationally. This, Mrs Broderick, is simply another example of your use of ‘smoke and mirrors’ to try and camouflage the fact that you have essentially no valid argument. What is really offensive here are the dishonest business dealings and lack of public consultation relating to UCA House.

Instead of launching a personal attack based upon your perception of me (garnered almost entirely from your own bigoted imagination) would you perhaps care to respond to any of the facts in my article? For example, my claim that the UCA trustees and local residents were assured that UCA House would remain as a residential care home when the building was bought by Micah Richards and his representatives at a preferential price? Perhaps you would like to dispute what I say about the deeds to the property, or about the planning application which substantially extended the original building?

I can assure you Mrs Broderick, that if I simply wanted to cause harm to the reputation of your hero Micah Richards, and was only interested in money myself, I would have sold the story to the tabloid press rather than posting it to Indymedia. Mr Richards is clearly a talented footballer, but that is not what this article is about. I care nothing about his personal life; I am merely highlighting an issue which I believe will have a very adverse effect upon my own personal life and on the personal lives of my neighbours, as well as on Chapeltown generally. I hope that Mr Richards will reconsider what he is doing, but so far he hasn’t cared one iota for the feelings of local residents in respect of this venture.

Like other posters, I fail to see anything “positive” whatsoever about this scheme, except in terms of the future swelling of Mr Richards’ already healthy bank balance, and those of his fellow profiteers, something which in this case, will only happen at the expense of Chapeltown and the quality of life of some of its residents. The whole business about UCA House and what has happened to it stinks, and unlike you Mrs Broderick, I am close enough to smell it.

In my experience a lot of these self-appointed "community leaders" are "business people" (shop owners, landlords, etc) on the make and usually paid off in one way or another by the police. They are the PARASITES.