Spot on Leroy... Taken from the Post. I SUPPOSE it was almost inevitable that Ellis Harrison made headlines this week, considering we are now living in a digital age where social media appears to set the news agenda. Harrison's "crime"? Going to watch a Bristol City match because one of his mates had offered him a couple of free tickets. Considering the rivalry between the clubs it was little surprise that Ellis got some abuse and felt compelled to delete his Twitter account. It was little surprise either that Ellis took the brunt of the criticism while his "accomplices" appeared to get off scot-free. For some, it appears, Ellis seems to be an easy target, someone who will never really shake off the doubts about his desire and commitment to listen and learn that were levelled at him earlier in his career. His critics, however, conveniently seem to forget, or refuse to recognise, the contribution he made in helping Bristol Rovers win promotion last season. I think that is a real shame. Funnily enough, I had a discussion about what modern-day footballers do in their downtime with Les Ferdinand and some other people at QPR last week. Les was saying how surprised he was at that few of them actually went to watch a game of football live and that he found a lot of players had no particular interest at all, other than from a professional and career point of view. It is a worrying trend – particularly among young players – because if you want to learn, progress and develop in any profession it is imperative that you go and see how other people do the same job in different ways. If I am Darrell Clarke, I am not too worried that some of my players have gone a few miles down the road to watch a Championship game because they got a few tickets off their mates who play for Bristol City. I actually think it is an excellent thing for young players to do and Ellis, and whoever else was there with him, should be applauded for spending some of their downtime showing an interest in their own profession rather than sitting at home watching a reality show or some other dross on TV. Would those same people who have labelled Ellis a 'disgrace' be happier if he was in the pub having a few drinks and playing pool all day? Would that be a more acceptable alternative to watching cross-town rivals Bristol City play? I know which of the two scenarios manager Darrell Clarke would prefer. Some will, of course, argue that it would have been wiser for Ellis and his team-mates to have stayed at home and watched the game on TV. But, for me, any opportunity to see a live game of football is great for their education. I find it absolutely ridiculous that any player should be getting criticised for doing what Ellis did. I understand the rivalry between the two clubs, but that rivalry doesn't always extend to the players who are friends away from the pitch. Should Ellis Harrison and Wes Burns end their friendship because one plays for City and one plays for Rovers? Anyboyd with a sense of rationality will know the answer to that one. What Ellis and his team-mates would have seen at the Cardiff City Community Stadium on Monday night, meanwhile, was the continuing improvement being shown by Bristol City, who are finally starting to look as though they are starting to acclimatise to life in the Championship. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/LEROY-...tory-28078463-detail/story.html#ixzz3pzwluvgf .
Some of our ex players now playing for other clubs went to Wembley to see the playoff final, doesn't mean they are not interested in the teams that are paying wages, Why cant people leave the lad alone
I for one don't have a problem with any player going to watch another team - they can only learn (especially if that game is at a higher level) I don't have a problem them "mixing" with players from other teams either. I know this is at a lower level, but one of my mates played for our rivals - we met each other through that rivalry - bumped into each other on a Saturday night - had a beer or 2 talking about football - now 30 years later he's one of my 2 best mates.
Ellis been interviewed about this on our YouTube channel. He shares a room with City's Wes Burns when together on international duty. They are best mates. What's wrong sharing things with his best mate? He went on to say the grief he has had this week is just by a couple of people and is thicked skinned enough to ignore it all. He thanks the fans who has supported him. Top man.
