So, Jermain is back at the Lane. Portsmouth have lost a good player, but have gained good money. Spurs have seen another prodigal son return. But unlike, say Teddy Sheringham, this isn't a return of a lynchpin. At best, Defoe is a two goals in five games striker. If only he could learn to place a few shots instead of blasting every attempt as hard as he can...
Regardless, this piece of business is indicative of something that has worried me for a long time. Club loyalty is seemingly a thing of the past. The Paul Scholes, Alan Shearers and Tony Adams' of the football world are worryingly absent. The impact of this on the most important fans is immeasurable. I am, of course, talking about kids.
Children are the true fans of football. They obsess, idolise and truly fanatically support. It is something we try to take into adulthood, but the magic seems to rub off with age. We become more critical, we think we know best; in short, we become more tactically aware. And let's be honest, it ruins the simplicity of the game a little.
When I was a kid, I worshipped Gary Mabbutt, Gazza, Teddy Sheringham and Sol Campbell. These four players epitomise a shift in attiutude over time. Mabbutt was a diehard loyalist. Gazza sought to improve his game in Italy (which in the early 1990s was the league to be in). Sheringham sought medals, but vowed to return. And return he did. Campbell, well, he was selfishly after cold hard cash.
Unfortunately, the attitude of the latter is now the norm. I'm not one to bleat about club loyalty. After all, football is a business. And who of us would refuse a new job with a better salary at a more succesful company?
What annoys me is the kind of player like Robbie Keane. In May, he was crowing about staying at Spurs for life and that no-one could prise him from White Hart Lane. Then his boyhood club Liverpool came in for him and he was off in a shot. He turned his back on potential legend status to follow a boyhood dream. Who can blame him? Well, think about the kids who idolised him at Spurs. The ones who had his name on their shirts.
Defoe is not as bad. But he left Spurs to get first team football and get back into the England set up. At Portsmouth, he achieved that. But at the first signs of trouble, he jumped ship. After one year. How many kids on the south coast have just lost an idol?
But perhaps there is some justice in football. Keane can hardly hit a barn door at Liverpool and is regularly seen looking depressed on the bench. Defoe left a squad that went on to win the Carling Cup and, due to being cup tied, joined a club that won the FA cup without him.
Regardless, this piece of business is indicative of something that has worried me for a long time. Club loyalty is seemingly a thing of the past. The Paul Scholes, Alan Shearers and Tony Adams' of the football world are worryingly absent. The impact of this on the most important fans is immeasurable. I am, of course, talking about kids.
Children are the true fans of football. They obsess, idolise and truly fanatically support. It is something we try to take into adulthood, but the magic seems to rub off with age. We become more critical, we think we know best; in short, we become more tactically aware. And let's be honest, it ruins the simplicity of the game a little.
When I was a kid, I worshipped Gary Mabbutt, Gazza, Teddy Sheringham and Sol Campbell. These four players epitomise a shift in attiutude over time. Mabbutt was a diehard loyalist. Gazza sought to improve his game in Italy (which in the early 1990s was the league to be in). Sheringham sought medals, but vowed to return. And return he did. Campbell, well, he was selfishly after cold hard cash.
Unfortunately, the attitude of the latter is now the norm. I'm not one to bleat about club loyalty. After all, football is a business. And who of us would refuse a new job with a better salary at a more succesful company?
What annoys me is the kind of player like Robbie Keane. In May, he was crowing about staying at Spurs for life and that no-one could prise him from White Hart Lane. Then his boyhood club Liverpool came in for him and he was off in a shot. He turned his back on potential legend status to follow a boyhood dream. Who can blame him? Well, think about the kids who idolised him at Spurs. The ones who had his name on their shirts.
Defoe is not as bad. But he left Spurs to get first team football and get back into the England set up. At Portsmouth, he achieved that. But at the first signs of trouble, he jumped ship. After one year. How many kids on the south coast have just lost an idol?
But perhaps there is some justice in football. Keane can hardly hit a barn door at Liverpool and is regularly seen looking depressed on the bench. Defoe left a squad that went on to win the Carling Cup and, due to being cup tied, joined a club that won the FA cup without him.
Not bad but, as you already stated, football is a business and players will come and go.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe its not just the players we should be looking at?
As you said, the majority of us would up and leave for a bigger salary at a more successful company. However, how many of have careers where our company could force us to move to a less successful company and inevitably (except in cases of extreme fortune) a lesser wage when and if they feel like it?
As for the children, (football's most important fans?!) idols will come and go. It's the beauty of their naivety.
Clubs change their away strip nearly as often as children their club. For the "children" among us, muttering "one team for life....blah.....blah" Settle down. There'll be few among you who can claim to have spent a season minus a favourite player due to his recent departure...... Lets face it. We all move on.
Maybe, just maybe, the demise of "club loyalty" cannot be solely pinned on the shoulders of all those hateful extrinsicly motivated players?
Maybe, just maybe, a little "player loyalty" would go a long way..........
Hi Cahill,
ReplyDeletePerhaps my post was a little naive. Perhaps I was wrapped up in the sentimentality of it all.
But I maintain that kids are the most important fans in football. Maybe not financially, but kids enjoy football whereas adults torture themselves with it.
You are definitely right that the demise of club loyalty cannot solely be pinned on players like those I mentioned. I was merely pointing out that they are a major factor.
Perhaps I am looking at it from the perspective of a fan who goes to as many matches as possible and feels he has a connection to certain players. Those who watch their football exclusively on Sky may not understand the sentiment. Maybe, maybe, maybe...
I'm with Cahill to an extent, loyalty swings both ways. The story of David James being sold from West Ham to Man City is a case in point. He'd said he'd be willing to stay with them in the Championship, but then was sold for cold hard when West Ham started feeling the pinch and didn't even have time to say goodbye to his colleagues or clear out his locker.
ReplyDeleteBut Nicko, there's nothing wrong with a bit of sentimentality. Cahill works in the business so he's going to be more realistic (cynical?) about it, but I still get wrapped up in it all on occasions even though I know how the game operates. If we're all knowing and analysing then the joy leaches out.
And you're right, there's a big difference between terracers and armchairers when it comes to fandom. Warranting a blog perhaps?