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Gary Neville has revealed that he had taken down a union flag from one of his Manchester development sites because it was being "displayed in a harmful way," as he encouraged his audience to reconsider the definition to be patriotic.

A Social Media Post

In a online message published at the end of the week, the former footballer turned property developer said he believed that "society is being turned against itself," laying a great deal of the fault for the rift on "irate white men of a certain age … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."

A Tale of Two Roads

He recounted traveling along Littleton Road, and seeing "an estimated fifty to sixty Union Jacks" on that section of the road. He then contrasted this with his journey back through the neighboring street, the other thoroughfare, where the Jewish community were "visible outdoors, standing strong, unafraid."

A Decisive Move

Neville, who has built a significant real estate business in Manchester since leaving professional football in 2011, said he took down a British flag being flown on a development property.

"Curiously on one of my construction sites last week there was a union jack flag displayed and I ordered its prompt removal," he said.

Thoughts on Loving One's Country

"A portion of the audience could believe and thinking: 'Gary you’re not really patriotic.' I earned 85 caps for England, I have great affection for England, I adore Manchester and I love England," he affirmed.

Gary Neville, now 50, said that in the years he has been building in the city, he had never seen union flags at the present frequency and pondered the reason for this increase.

"The Union Jack used in a negative fashion is not right and I consider myself a devoted backer of England, of Britain, of this country and will champion it anywhere as one of the greatest places to live," he asserted.

A Call for Reflection

"But I think we need to check ourselves," he continued, "reflect and begin considering about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because society is being dragged to extremes and this division is entirely unnecessary."

Past Political Views

The sports analyst has often shared his views on current affairs and social topics, including that people should “detest” the unfavorable employment situations for migrant workers in Qatar and NHS staff in the UK.

Togetherness Through Sport

In his online presentation, Neville commented on the variety within the sport, saying that he played with people from across the UK and from internationally. "We formed a wonderful team, completely unified," he recalled.

The Effects of Leaving the EU

He said he blamed Brexit for its "devastating effect" on the country, and said the "rhetoric" of division was becoming "highly perilous."

"All these idiots that are propagating abusive language in whatever form and abuse in any form, we must stop promoting them," he emphasized.

"We should cease directing attention to them and this must end immediately and get back to a country of love, of tranquility, of accord and unite as one once more."