Every generation of supporter, even at a club as steeped in failure as our own (Newcastle United), should be able to remember the idols of their youth. For me it was the likes of Nolberto Solano and Gary Speed; phenomenal players on the pitch and respectable guys off it.
But for a child now making their way into following football, either through their own curiosity or the traditional guiding hand of a mentor (most likely their father or mother), there is little choice at Newcastle United of finding a hero to inspire their passion.
“I made a G today”
But you made it in a sleazy way. Selling crack to the kids.
“I gotta get paid,”
Well hey, that’s the way it is. (Changes, Tupac Shakur)
If I was a parent, the only player at St James Park that I would be happy to have on my child’s bedroom posters, their replica kit or treasured sticker album, is Jonas Gutierrez. Now that he is gone, the entire squad seem to embody, one way or another, the ‘easy G’ attitude criticised in Tupac’s immortal words. They play for money, themselves and nothing else.
What connection do they have to the kid that glares wondrously at their icon?
I would hate for my offspring to desire to be the next Tim Krul or Moussa Sissoko.
Those individuals are not the devil incarnate but their riches are made in a sleazy way – even if it’s all above board and at the encouragement of Sky Sports.
Footballers were never perfect, nor do I ever want them to be, but it would be refreshing to look at them perform and be convinced their efforts were sincere. When did that last happen in NE1?
Not a single squad member at Newcastle – with maybe two exceptions – can look at their pay cheque from last season and say honestly that they deserved their salary.
Stephen Thorne
The Mag
http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/07/children-in-need/#sthash.e2X5jE2q.dpuf
