A love affair tainted...
Ever since I was a wee bairn I have loved football. School days would usually consist of playing football before school, at lunch time, between breaks and usually discussing it during lessons.
After school, Asa and I would play football in the back garden using the shed as a goal. After a while my parents just stopped replacing the broken shed window! Then I'd go round to Asa's and we'd play 'The Manager' or 'Sensible Soccer' computer games. Home for some tea, check teletext for the scores and then go to bed dreaming of being the next, next Pele. I loved football.
Wasn't life much simpler back then!
Now I find myself increasingly unfulfilled by the sport. As a youngster I idolised the players. I don't think the youth of today have that many decent role models to look up to.
One of my biggest issues is the national team. Kids should be inspired by those representing their country. And not just by their performance on the pitch. It should start with the national anthems. These players should be so proud to play for their countries and should be singing their anthems. The last game I saw, 8 of the 11 were stood there in silence, chewing gum and no doubt thinking what to waste their latest £40k a week pay check on. A couple mouthed along and only John Terry really gave it a go but he still wouldn't get on Stars in their eyes! If they could inject some passion from this point of the game perhaps it could continue and help deliver a stirring performance and go some way to inspiring youngsters to follow in their footsteps.
As a contrast, take the England Rugby team. Tomorrow, of the 30 players representing England and Australia, I confidently predict that only a couple of players will not be singing and the majority will be displaying the pride they have at representing their countries. This pride and passion will undoubtedly continue into the game and though I fully expect the Aussies to win it will be an entertaining game. Rugby still has some problems, gouging and spike tackles just being two examples but generally the sport has more integrity than football. You would never get a Dida like incident on a rugby field!
Football was my first true love and will always hold a place in my heart but I increasingly find myself distracted by another and fear how long I can resist it's charms...
After school, Asa and I would play football in the back garden using the shed as a goal. After a while my parents just stopped replacing the broken shed window! Then I'd go round to Asa's and we'd play 'The Manager' or 'Sensible Soccer' computer games. Home for some tea, check teletext for the scores and then go to bed dreaming of being the next, next Pele. I loved football.
Wasn't life much simpler back then!
Now I find myself increasingly unfulfilled by the sport. As a youngster I idolised the players. I don't think the youth of today have that many decent role models to look up to.
One of my biggest issues is the national team. Kids should be inspired by those representing their country. And not just by their performance on the pitch. It should start with the national anthems. These players should be so proud to play for their countries and should be singing their anthems. The last game I saw, 8 of the 11 were stood there in silence, chewing gum and no doubt thinking what to waste their latest £40k a week pay check on. A couple mouthed along and only John Terry really gave it a go but he still wouldn't get on Stars in their eyes! If they could inject some passion from this point of the game perhaps it could continue and help deliver a stirring performance and go some way to inspiring youngsters to follow in their footsteps.
As a contrast, take the England Rugby team. Tomorrow, of the 30 players representing England and Australia, I confidently predict that only a couple of players will not be singing and the majority will be displaying the pride they have at representing their countries. This pride and passion will undoubtedly continue into the game and though I fully expect the Aussies to win it will be an entertaining game. Rugby still has some problems, gouging and spike tackles just being two examples but generally the sport has more integrity than football. You would never get a Dida like incident on a rugby field!
Football was my first true love and will always hold a place in my heart but I increasingly find myself distracted by another and fear how long I can resist it's charms...
Nothing to do with the Spuds current form then?
Posted by
Justin |
08 October 2007 12:31
The Spuds keeper will be keeping the mighty Estonia at bay - be nice!
Posted by
Alexander |
08 October 2007 12:35