Older supporters who were watching football a couple of generations ago (or longer) will recall times when certain players were regarded in high esteem by people regardless of who they supported; for example our own "Gentleman Jim" Jimmy Dickinson. But who in the modern game would you refer to as a 'gentleman of the game' My own mind immediately says Linvoy Primus. But what about you? - (it doesn't have to be a Pompey player.)
I've noticed that as of yet no one has replied to this thread. Could it be, like me, not one person comes to mind.
Can no one see beyond Linvoy Primus ? I can't ! If you were to include Managers, what about Roy Hodgson ? Never seems to moan or whinge, just gets on with his job. Apart from his short time at Liverpool, always seems to have done reasonably well wherever he has been.
Absolutely no one springs to mind immediately, but after some consideration I would like to throw a name in, and I am not sure what the reaction will be... David Beckham? His passion for the game has to be admired and applauded, and regardless of what the press and some pathetic loses claim, I think he is a fantastic professional and role model. The only negative I can find is the moment of madness against argentina and the whole red card incident (and his inability to choose half decent baby names!). Oh, and he cant really take a penalty, but overall I would maybe go as far as to label him a "gentleman"... let the criticism commence...
I see what you are saying Tekk Rex, BUT don't forget his lack of class/ability/poor taste/etc/etc/etc, in the matter of wife selection !! He loses my vote on that alone, and should never be forgiven. I mean, she even had him wearing a skirt at one stage...............
Blimey dan, did he ?! Mind you, with the amount of debt in Zimbabwe, it was probably a mere "drop in the ocean" compared with their massive financial problems.
Another retired fooballer I'd add to the list would be Teddy Sheringham. Class on and off the pitch. Michael Owen as well. That said, for a lot of players, then and now, being a gentleman on the pitch just takes the edge off their game. Some people just need to be frothing at the bit in order to raise their game. (Rooney comes to mind)
Good grief bladderball, you are smokin', totally on a roll ! Good shout as well - both Teddy Sheringham & Michael Owen are legends, and total gentlemen. NB. Who will ever forget Teddy's brilliant hat trick against Bolton that distant Monday evening, in our first season back in the Premier League. The win put us top of the table, just for a short while. Happy Days !!
Not forgetting our very own Carl Dickinson, I admire the way that he takes the time to sign the kids programmes and runs to the other players for them to sign it as well. Also, I saw Ritchie De Laet give his shirt to a disabled fan at the end of a game once. Top professionalism.
There was that time when Paolo Di Canio stopped the match by catching the ball, rather than blasting it into an empty net, due to the fact that Everton's? goalie was lying badly injured. That took a lot of class. Most of the time he was a bit of a individualist, which is the best way I can describe him in a postive light.
Ryan Giggs must get a mention purely based on his disciplinary record. Never being sent off in his 850 odd appearances for United speaks volumes
On the Ryan Giggs note, I suppose we should also mention Gary Linekar, seeing as he never got so much as a yellow card in his playing career. But the words "gentleman" and "Walkers Crisps Adverts" just don't roll off the tongue together very well though
de zeeuw. had el hadj diouf spit in his face and just took it, fantastically nice guy. him and linvoy from my only recent memory.
I didn't see any gentlemen on the pitch last night during the Barca Real match !! Other than Messi's 2 moments of magic, a Very poor advert for football.
I was disgusted with both teams bladderball, but Barcelona was probably slightly worse. I was especially disgusted with Daniel Alves though, rolling around the floor and stretchered off, only to come back on 2 minutes later and fly up the wing. I think it should become a rule that if you are stretchered off, you have to be substituted. It was blatant cheating to get a fellow professional sent off. I hope United smash 'saint' Barca in the final.
