I read and hear a lot about people thinking English football is going to rack and ruin.
Too much money in the sport. Too many foreign players in English teams, resulting in home-bred players not being developed and given opportunities. Too much commercialism. A take over by the chattering classes.
So what was it like then? What are they hankering after?
Well I think it is this (points to picture)
Not this of course.
But the man. Bobby Charlton. Or rather Sir Bobby Charlton as he now is.
Birthday boy today. 70 years old.
So what was so great about him? The 106 caps for England? The 249 goals as a professional footballer, 49 0f them international? His grace, speed, athleticism and thunderbolt shot?
Well according to this commentator,:
"Charlton stood for something that the world admired. He was a gentleman, the ultimate in old-fashioned sporting heroes. He was never in trouble, never argued with referees, showed honesty and respect to opponents. It made him a perfect role model, the essence of the Corinthian ideal. His status as the greatest ambassador in the history of British sport rested unequivocally on his unrivaled sense of fair play."
Question is, would he work today? Could he be that person who can live up to their superstar status? Would he understand what people want and be able to give it to them?
With that hair do? ....................probably not.
1 comment:
He wouldn't have that hair do though. Heros of our times are of a different stamp and (I grant you) difficult to spot.
My own favorite currently, Jamie Carragher turned down a recent opportunity to play for England. I applude his decision because he has ideals and beliefs and act on them. Fair play to him. He's not in the "wor Bobby" league however.
JVIP
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