In January 1996, Fulham were second from bottom of the old third division - 91st in the English football league. Only Torquay United, who they lost to that season, separated them from rock bottom.
Four months later, Juventus, under Marcello Lippi, won the European Champions League final in Rome. They defeated a brilliant Ajax team and had a side including Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Vialli, Paulo Sousa, Gianluca Pessotto and Antonio Conte.
In two weeks time, the two clubs will face each other in the UEFA Cup fourth round.
This is a terrific example how much football can change in fourteen years. It is also viable proof that football fans should never give up hope, whatever the circumstances surrounding their club.
Portsmouth fans, take note… There is hope for everyone.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
GAY FOOTBALLERS - IS IT TIME TO COME OUT?
It is a sensitive question, especially in the ‘macho’ world of football, but is now the time for a professional footballer to admit he is gay, or would it just be opening up a whole new can of worms?
It is often stated that approximately ten per cent of the population are gay. If that is the case there are definitely some gay footballers playing in our leagues in Britain and around the world.
The recent admission by Welsh Rugby star Gareth Thomas has been received warmly and without much fuss in the egg shaped ball game. But the culture and environment within that game is very different to football.
It appears to be a far more accepting pastime and perhaps (a controversial statement) the personnel involved in the game are more educated. The game certainly appears to have a more mature fan base.
Rugby Union is mainly perceived to be a middle to upper class sport (although ironically probably not in Wales. Therefore, homosexuality will probably be more freely accepted into it.
For instance, you only have to watch a Rugby match to see the respect the players and fans have for the officials. People appear to solely care about winning the game and not much else.
Football however, is the traditional ‘working man’s’ sport and perhaps still has some way to go before an openly gay individual can be accepted at the top level.
There will be people reading this who believe that this should not even be an issue, but the fact is, in football, it is.
There are several reasons for and against footballers coming out. Although I am skeptical both ways (no pun intended) it does appear that there are more viable reasons for a player admitting his sexuality than not.
Like many issues in football, if one player breaks the ice, then many more are bound to follow suit. A snowball effect occurs in the same way it did with black players in the 1980s. The more black players that were playing, the less of an issue it became.
Sheer numbers will gradually drown out the cries of the ignorant -so called fans, and their prejudice will eventually become more tedious and less pronounced.
What is true is that the first player may at first, have to deal with some horrendous abuse - which no individual should have to suffer.
But if it changes the football fraternity in the long term then that first person becomes a pioneer and a true hero to so many people. It will surely be worth it, for both the individual and the game as a whole.
The players who do make the admissions will also help to encourage gay youngsters to play the game, when previously they may have felt afraid to enter such a ‘macho’ world.
I would imagine that many skilful footballers are not being discovered because they are homosexual and too shy to express themselves for the fear of being teased by their peers, it is human nature.
Last season at Fratton Park, when Sol Campbell was (for no apparent reason) subjected to ‘gay jibes’ was horrifying. It was perhaps a sign that the world of football, in the Premiership anyway, is not ready for the bombshell of a top footballer admitting he is gay.
But it has to be noted that it was just a small section of ‘idiots’ and most people would in all probability, not care at all.
If the FA and Premier League want to encourage freedom of expression in football, then laws should be implemented that strictly forbid homophobic chants, just as anti-racism jibes are severely punished.
But this too would be a grey area. It may have the unfortunate affect of destroying a unique aspect of English football – the atmosphere. Perhaps supporters would be caught in a conundrum about what they can and can’t say at football matches. Without the banter, football would just not be the same.
On the other hand, is it really necessary for a gay footballer to admit he is gay anyway?
And is it really worth all the hassle and publicity?
It is true that the player may become an icon, but most importantly any abuse could affect their professional performance If that is the case, they would be given even more criticism from all corners of the media, and not just from within the crowd. Of course, it may also spur them on, but this still doesn't make it right.
Straight footballers are not expected to tell the world that they are heterosexual, so why should gay footballers have to say that they are homosexual? Is that not discrimination as well? It should be up to the individual if they feel comfortable with it.
In ten years (hopefully) this debate may not even be a talking point, if only someone could start the ball rolling.
In so many instances, society has moved on, in everything it seems, but football.
The armed forces, for example, have openly gay men and women representing our country. And despite some initial issues, it seems to have run relatively smoothly since the laws were changed in the year 2000. It could be said that is the most 'macho' of all environments, so why should football be any different?
Also in the UK, the church accepts gay priests and bishops, so why shouldn’t our other ‘religion’ accept gay players. Surely football can be just as accepting as the Church of England.
Thirty or fourty years ago it was still relatively taboo in show business to admit your sexuality. It was plainly obvious to people watching them that many stars were gay or bi-sexual, but they couldn’t admit to it publically. It drove some to despair and highly publicised battles with alcohol, drugs or depression.
If this is the case, surely it is better for the person just to admit they are gay, for their own sake. Nobody deserves to have to fight such demons. Surely a little public embarrassment is a far better option.
I just hope that football can surprise us all and the issue can pass with minimum fuss. Now that a Rugby player has come out, then it is to be expected that some time or another football will follow suit.
Although not really publicised - which can only be a good thing, there have been encouraging signs previously.
Elton John, one of Britain’s most famously openly gay superstars, is a huge football fan. The musician was the long time chairman of Watford and is still a regular at many games as he still owns a stake in the club.
Does he get gay jibes from the crowd? I am not aware of any and cerainly not on any sort of large scale.
In Europe, in places such as Spain and Italy, there are still huge problems concerning racism in football. I would suggest that in very traditional catholic countries such as Italy the game may also struggle to deal with openly gay footballers as well.
In England though, racism has been severely and successfully dealt with through massive campaigning. It is still not perfect, but it is the best around and something to be proud of.
English football deserves to be identifed as the pioneer of clamping down on this prejudice and hopefully in the future the defeat of homophobic jibes in football can also be credited to our country.
Some of you may be thinking, what about the players in the dressing room? But I believe, minus a little banter here and there, it will not be a big issue. It is the crowds that concern me
The million dollar question is, do the majority of fans really care? I certainly don’t think so. Homosexuality has been accepted into society, so why not – in time – can this not be transmitted into our football stadia.
Some supporters will probably suggest that top footballers are paid enough money to justify taking any sort of abuse labeled at them.
I don't adhere to this, but until one brave gentleman takes the big step of opening up to the world, we will never know how much or how little reaction there will be.
It is often stated that approximately ten per cent of the population are gay. If that is the case there are definitely some gay footballers playing in our leagues in Britain and around the world.
The recent admission by Welsh Rugby star Gareth Thomas has been received warmly and without much fuss in the egg shaped ball game. But the culture and environment within that game is very different to football.
It appears to be a far more accepting pastime and perhaps (a controversial statement) the personnel involved in the game are more educated. The game certainly appears to have a more mature fan base.
Rugby Union is mainly perceived to be a middle to upper class sport (although ironically probably not in Wales. Therefore, homosexuality will probably be more freely accepted into it.
For instance, you only have to watch a Rugby match to see the respect the players and fans have for the officials. People appear to solely care about winning the game and not much else.
Football however, is the traditional ‘working man’s’ sport and perhaps still has some way to go before an openly gay individual can be accepted at the top level.
There will be people reading this who believe that this should not even be an issue, but the fact is, in football, it is.
There are several reasons for and against footballers coming out. Although I am skeptical both ways (no pun intended) it does appear that there are more viable reasons for a player admitting his sexuality than not.
Like many issues in football, if one player breaks the ice, then many more are bound to follow suit. A snowball effect occurs in the same way it did with black players in the 1980s. The more black players that were playing, the less of an issue it became.
Sheer numbers will gradually drown out the cries of the ignorant -so called fans, and their prejudice will eventually become more tedious and less pronounced.
What is true is that the first player may at first, have to deal with some horrendous abuse - which no individual should have to suffer.
But if it changes the football fraternity in the long term then that first person becomes a pioneer and a true hero to so many people. It will surely be worth it, for both the individual and the game as a whole.
The players who do make the admissions will also help to encourage gay youngsters to play the game, when previously they may have felt afraid to enter such a ‘macho’ world.
I would imagine that many skilful footballers are not being discovered because they are homosexual and too shy to express themselves for the fear of being teased by their peers, it is human nature.
Last season at Fratton Park, when Sol Campbell was (for no apparent reason) subjected to ‘gay jibes’ was horrifying. It was perhaps a sign that the world of football, in the Premiership anyway, is not ready for the bombshell of a top footballer admitting he is gay.
But it has to be noted that it was just a small section of ‘idiots’ and most people would in all probability, not care at all.
If the FA and Premier League want to encourage freedom of expression in football, then laws should be implemented that strictly forbid homophobic chants, just as anti-racism jibes are severely punished.
But this too would be a grey area. It may have the unfortunate affect of destroying a unique aspect of English football – the atmosphere. Perhaps supporters would be caught in a conundrum about what they can and can’t say at football matches. Without the banter, football would just not be the same.
On the other hand, is it really necessary for a gay footballer to admit he is gay anyway?
And is it really worth all the hassle and publicity?
It is true that the player may become an icon, but most importantly any abuse could affect their professional performance If that is the case, they would be given even more criticism from all corners of the media, and not just from within the crowd. Of course, it may also spur them on, but this still doesn't make it right.
Straight footballers are not expected to tell the world that they are heterosexual, so why should gay footballers have to say that they are homosexual? Is that not discrimination as well? It should be up to the individual if they feel comfortable with it.
In ten years (hopefully) this debate may not even be a talking point, if only someone could start the ball rolling.
In so many instances, society has moved on, in everything it seems, but football.
The armed forces, for example, have openly gay men and women representing our country. And despite some initial issues, it seems to have run relatively smoothly since the laws were changed in the year 2000. It could be said that is the most 'macho' of all environments, so why should football be any different?
Also in the UK, the church accepts gay priests and bishops, so why shouldn’t our other ‘religion’ accept gay players. Surely football can be just as accepting as the Church of England.
Thirty or fourty years ago it was still relatively taboo in show business to admit your sexuality. It was plainly obvious to people watching them that many stars were gay or bi-sexual, but they couldn’t admit to it publically. It drove some to despair and highly publicised battles with alcohol, drugs or depression.
If this is the case, surely it is better for the person just to admit they are gay, for their own sake. Nobody deserves to have to fight such demons. Surely a little public embarrassment is a far better option.
I just hope that football can surprise us all and the issue can pass with minimum fuss. Now that a Rugby player has come out, then it is to be expected that some time or another football will follow suit.
Although not really publicised - which can only be a good thing, there have been encouraging signs previously.
Elton John, one of Britain’s most famously openly gay superstars, is a huge football fan. The musician was the long time chairman of Watford and is still a regular at many games as he still owns a stake in the club.
Does he get gay jibes from the crowd? I am not aware of any and cerainly not on any sort of large scale.
In Europe, in places such as Spain and Italy, there are still huge problems concerning racism in football. I would suggest that in very traditional catholic countries such as Italy the game may also struggle to deal with openly gay footballers as well.
In England though, racism has been severely and successfully dealt with through massive campaigning. It is still not perfect, but it is the best around and something to be proud of.
English football deserves to be identifed as the pioneer of clamping down on this prejudice and hopefully in the future the defeat of homophobic jibes in football can also be credited to our country.
Some of you may be thinking, what about the players in the dressing room? But I believe, minus a little banter here and there, it will not be a big issue. It is the crowds that concern me
The million dollar question is, do the majority of fans really care? I certainly don’t think so. Homosexuality has been accepted into society, so why not – in time – can this not be transmitted into our football stadia.
Some supporters will probably suggest that top footballers are paid enough money to justify taking any sort of abuse labeled at them.
I don't adhere to this, but until one brave gentleman takes the big step of opening up to the world, we will never know how much or how little reaction there will be.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
TERRYGATE: THE CALM AFTER THE STORM?..
The John Terry news story has dominated both the front and back pages in the last fortnight. But now the situation has cooled slightly, maybe now is the time to assess it more objectively.
The injury to Ashley Cole at Goodison Park last night will, in all probability, mean that Wayne Bridge will be in England’s starting line up against Egypt next month. Chelsea skipper, Terry, is of course odds on be in the team as well.
The press build up to the game will be, to put it mildly, unique and the team as a whole will be under intense scrutiny for probably the first time under Fabio Capello.
But what does this actually mean for the England team and their World Cup hopes?
And is Capello justified in making an example of the (now former) England skipper and stripping him of the captaincy?
I personally think there are arguments for and against keeping the 29 year old as captain.
Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, had his usual, un-called for say on the situation today. He suggested that Terry would be applauded in other countries’ for his misdemeanors. The Swiss said that in places such as France and Italy, the centre half would be admired, not vilified.
If this is the case, then I have to ask why did Capello act so quickly in sacking Terry? He obviously deemed the situation to be unacceptable, but he is Italian.
This was yet again, another ill-informed Blatter rant. How much longer do we have to listen to this clown? Let’s just hope, for his sake, the South Africa Would Cup is successful, as this will be his true legacy.
Now I am ranting.....
I do believe that Capello’s decision was the right one. The England captaincy is the greatest honour you can receive as a sportsman in this country, and if any position in football carries the ‘role model’ tag, then this is the one.
Terry was made captain for a reason and whether or not the position is so important on the field of play is irrelevant. You are expected a leader off the pitch and you must be fully respected by the other players.
As the player who gives the most press conferences, he must be prepared to take the brunt of the pressure. The England captain is surely better off having a balanced home life without any distractions.
In World Cup year, in my opinion, it is vital that Terry is fully focused on his football and this is clearly not the case.
But there are notable examples of players performing against the odds and being inspired by outside pressures, thus spurring them on to greater heights.
Paolo Rossi in 1982 is the prime example. He entered the tournament having barely played for two years following a match fixing scandal and many thought he shouldn't have even been in Spain. But the Italian striker finished the tournament as top scorer and claimed a winners medal.
I have heard suggestions from fans suggesting England are being hypocritical in dismissing Terry. Sven Goran Eriksson was notorious for more that one affair during his six year spell as England boss, but he wasn’t sacked.
The difference, I guess, is that the Swede wasn’t married and didn't have an affair with a girlfriend or ex girlfriend of a member of his team. He was also on a huge, long term salary, which probably played a big part in the outcome.
In Terry's defence, it is also important to remember that previous England captains have not always covered themselves in glory either.
Alan Shearer 'appearing to' kick Neil Lennon in the face shortly before the 1998 World Cup is a famous example of an England captain acting in a 'thuggish' matter on the football field.
Another former captain, Tony Adams, had been in prison for drink driving five years before he was made England skipper. In most people’s eyes this would have to be deemed a far worse sin than John Terry’s, but it was quickly forgotten due to Adams' strirring displays in the England strip. Maybe the same can happen to Terry.
On a far more contemporary level, is Rio Ferdinand (the new England captain) the ultimate role model?
He missed a drugs test and has been convicted of drink driving, but that was a long time ago. Does it make any difference? Maybe it does, but Ferdinand is 31 now, and has certainly matured off the pitch, as well as on it.
Perhaps Capello believes that Terry is not as mature as he first thought, and this event, coupled with his not so squeaky clean past has tipped the Italian over the edge. This was obviously Terry's last chance even if he wasn't aware of it, but I, like many, thought he had matured sufficiently.
The defender has certainly let himself down, not to mention his family and he needs to show all of his trademark mental strength to pick himself up from such a tirade of media speculation.
It's important as a football journalist, not to elevate too much of a moral high ground here. Terry is certainly not alone in making errors of judgment, and there are several other members of the England team who have certainly not covered themselves in glory during their careers.
Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Jermaine Defoe, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are just a few high profile squad members who have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons during their careers. In this context, it would be unfair to label Terry as a monster who has embarrassed his family and let down his club and country.
But the rumours are that Terry tried his upmost to hide the story of the affair from the papers. When he was stripped of the captaincy he reportedly weeped and begged Capello not to fire him.
If this is true, is he really fit to be England skipper? Integrity and bravery are surely key traits required for such a high profile position, and perhaps he is too self-centred to be England skipper.
This is not something any football fan would have previously associated with Terry. He throws his body on the line week after week for Chelsea, but maybe we all over-estimated him.
One factor that has to be applauded is Capello’s efficiency. He made the decision ruthlessly and susequently refused to comment on it afterwards. He is moving on (in his own mind) and has once again given the impression that he will take no prisoners and demands respect.
In that aspect he is very different to both Eriksson (who seemed to be too close to David Beckham, giving him too much power) and Steve McClaren who, initially attempted to come across as a strong leader in dropping Beckham. In fact he was not doing it for the good of the team, it was just a facade. Beckham was later recalled.
Capello expects his players to be role models and respect the Three Lions shirt to the upmost.John Terry abused that privilege and obviously did not respect Capello enough to adhere to his demands.
He has paid the ultimate price. The other players will certainly has taken note.
Today, Terry has reportedly headed off to Dubai in an attempt to save his flagging marriage, which includes two children. His mistake against Everton last night perhaps illustrates that he is not one hundred per cent focused. But he needs to be.
With Chelsea fighting for the title, Terry will need to be at the top of his game in the coming weeks.
In all honesty, Wayne Bridge is not as vital as John Terry in the England set up. But the Manchester City full back is, according to multiple sources, a very popular member of the squad.
We, as England fans, will just have to hope that team spirit has not been affected.
With less than four months to go until the ‘greatest show on earth’ we should have known after such a fantastic qualifying campaign, that it couldn't all run so smoothly.
Something had to give, and it has, in volcanic proportions.
The injury to Ashley Cole at Goodison Park last night will, in all probability, mean that Wayne Bridge will be in England’s starting line up against Egypt next month. Chelsea skipper, Terry, is of course odds on be in the team as well.
The press build up to the game will be, to put it mildly, unique and the team as a whole will be under intense scrutiny for probably the first time under Fabio Capello.
But what does this actually mean for the England team and their World Cup hopes?
And is Capello justified in making an example of the (now former) England skipper and stripping him of the captaincy?
I personally think there are arguments for and against keeping the 29 year old as captain.
Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, had his usual, un-called for say on the situation today. He suggested that Terry would be applauded in other countries’ for his misdemeanors. The Swiss said that in places such as France and Italy, the centre half would be admired, not vilified.
If this is the case, then I have to ask why did Capello act so quickly in sacking Terry? He obviously deemed the situation to be unacceptable, but he is Italian.
This was yet again, another ill-informed Blatter rant. How much longer do we have to listen to this clown? Let’s just hope, for his sake, the South Africa Would Cup is successful, as this will be his true legacy.
Now I am ranting.....
I do believe that Capello’s decision was the right one. The England captaincy is the greatest honour you can receive as a sportsman in this country, and if any position in football carries the ‘role model’ tag, then this is the one.
Terry was made captain for a reason and whether or not the position is so important on the field of play is irrelevant. You are expected a leader off the pitch and you must be fully respected by the other players.
As the player who gives the most press conferences, he must be prepared to take the brunt of the pressure. The England captain is surely better off having a balanced home life without any distractions.
In World Cup year, in my opinion, it is vital that Terry is fully focused on his football and this is clearly not the case.
But there are notable examples of players performing against the odds and being inspired by outside pressures, thus spurring them on to greater heights.
Paolo Rossi in 1982 is the prime example. He entered the tournament having barely played for two years following a match fixing scandal and many thought he shouldn't have even been in Spain. But the Italian striker finished the tournament as top scorer and claimed a winners medal.
I have heard suggestions from fans suggesting England are being hypocritical in dismissing Terry. Sven Goran Eriksson was notorious for more that one affair during his six year spell as England boss, but he wasn’t sacked.
The difference, I guess, is that the Swede wasn’t married and didn't have an affair with a girlfriend or ex girlfriend of a member of his team. He was also on a huge, long term salary, which probably played a big part in the outcome.
In Terry's defence, it is also important to remember that previous England captains have not always covered themselves in glory either.
Alan Shearer 'appearing to' kick Neil Lennon in the face shortly before the 1998 World Cup is a famous example of an England captain acting in a 'thuggish' matter on the football field.
Another former captain, Tony Adams, had been in prison for drink driving five years before he was made England skipper. In most people’s eyes this would have to be deemed a far worse sin than John Terry’s, but it was quickly forgotten due to Adams' strirring displays in the England strip. Maybe the same can happen to Terry.
On a far more contemporary level, is Rio Ferdinand (the new England captain) the ultimate role model?
He missed a drugs test and has been convicted of drink driving, but that was a long time ago. Does it make any difference? Maybe it does, but Ferdinand is 31 now, and has certainly matured off the pitch, as well as on it.
Perhaps Capello believes that Terry is not as mature as he first thought, and this event, coupled with his not so squeaky clean past has tipped the Italian over the edge. This was obviously Terry's last chance even if he wasn't aware of it, but I, like many, thought he had matured sufficiently.
The defender has certainly let himself down, not to mention his family and he needs to show all of his trademark mental strength to pick himself up from such a tirade of media speculation.
It's important as a football journalist, not to elevate too much of a moral high ground here. Terry is certainly not alone in making errors of judgment, and there are several other members of the England team who have certainly not covered themselves in glory during their careers.
Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Jermaine Defoe, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are just a few high profile squad members who have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons during their careers. In this context, it would be unfair to label Terry as a monster who has embarrassed his family and let down his club and country.
But the rumours are that Terry tried his upmost to hide the story of the affair from the papers. When he was stripped of the captaincy he reportedly weeped and begged Capello not to fire him.
If this is true, is he really fit to be England skipper? Integrity and bravery are surely key traits required for such a high profile position, and perhaps he is too self-centred to be England skipper.
This is not something any football fan would have previously associated with Terry. He throws his body on the line week after week for Chelsea, but maybe we all over-estimated him.
One factor that has to be applauded is Capello’s efficiency. He made the decision ruthlessly and susequently refused to comment on it afterwards. He is moving on (in his own mind) and has once again given the impression that he will take no prisoners and demands respect.
In that aspect he is very different to both Eriksson (who seemed to be too close to David Beckham, giving him too much power) and Steve McClaren who, initially attempted to come across as a strong leader in dropping Beckham. In fact he was not doing it for the good of the team, it was just a facade. Beckham was later recalled.
Capello expects his players to be role models and respect the Three Lions shirt to the upmost.John Terry abused that privilege and obviously did not respect Capello enough to adhere to his demands.
He has paid the ultimate price. The other players will certainly has taken note.
Today, Terry has reportedly headed off to Dubai in an attempt to save his flagging marriage, which includes two children. His mistake against Everton last night perhaps illustrates that he is not one hundred per cent focused. But he needs to be.
With Chelsea fighting for the title, Terry will need to be at the top of his game in the coming weeks.
In all honesty, Wayne Bridge is not as vital as John Terry in the England set up. But the Manchester City full back is, according to multiple sources, a very popular member of the squad.
We, as England fans, will just have to hope that team spirit has not been affected.
With less than four months to go until the ‘greatest show on earth’ we should have known after such a fantastic qualifying campaign, that it couldn't all run so smoothly.
Something had to give, and it has, in volcanic proportions.
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