Someone shared this on Facebook. Not sure where it came from, but it's very moving. What a top man - he puts most of today's pampered footballing ponces to shame.
Excellent, top bloke. But I think there are quite a few current footballers who have had an interesting journey too. Perhaps not the young English kids who were pampered by big clubs from age 8, but I posted something on the Brazilian lad from Watford, Richarlison, who certainly have a tough time, lucky not to be killed by gangs.
Very moving, he's from a different generation to today's 'snowflake' footballers that have everything done for them, coming up the hard way he knows how fortunate he was to make it when so many didn't. As Stroller says, a top man...
Moving and inspirational, as the man himself is. Triumph over adversity. "...I realised how important it is to have a positive male figure in your life..." Politicians and other social engineers would do well to reflect on this.
As a man I’m willing to take on that responsibility for myself, without waiting for a politician or ‘social engineer’ to ask/tell me. Wrighty wasn’t failed by his MP or policy makers, he was failed by his dad and step dad. And his Mum by the sound of it.Hats off to his teacher though.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Ian Wright on quite a few occasions. I had a friend with whom I served with in the Fire Brigade who was an ex tennis player who Ian sponsored. Unfortunately he didn't make it as a pro despite beating Andy Roddick as a junior. He was the number four junior in the world but soon realised that he wouldn't make it to the top and he decided to decline Ian's sponsorship money but continued coaching Ian Wright's son. Anyway, I didn't realise that Ian had it so tough in his early life and hats off to him for opening up and being so honest. That's a top post Strolls and the video is brilliant and very moving. I think poignant is probably the word I'm looking for. I loved the bit when Ian's teacher turned up.
What you say about Ian Wright is true, but there's a broader issue at a time when the Left are dissing marriage, promoting single parentage and telling us that boy's have no need of a father figure. School can play its part, as it did with Wright. In the end, there's nothing better for a boy than a kind and considerate father as a role model - and it's better to have no father or step-father around at all, than a cruel or serially unjust one.
Let’s move it to the politics thread then. Not sure how the Left are responsible for men behaving like ****s. Tired of personal responsibility being delegated upwards to faceless institutions, then the same institutions being blamed for an individual’s failure to do the right thing.
While I agree with you completely about personal responsibility, and about certain men behaving like ****s, you're narrowing things down again by limiting this to these irresponsible men. I'm not attacking either sex, but there's a question whether society should promote situations where children are deliberately deprived of a father in their lives. Ian Wright's example underlines how important a sympathetic father-figure can be - something that some sections of society deny.
that was great. shouldn't have watched it in the office though, wept like a child. Took me 10 minutes to compose myself. I've always liked Ian Wright. Loved that shot of him when England played Argentina in the world cup and he's bare top with a flag of St George around him on the touchline. much prefer to listen to his view of a game than the anodyne ramblings of Shearer et al.
I've always liked Ian Wright and that was very moving. However, he was ripped to shreds on here a few years back when SWP played for us and Wright said he didn't think we'd win another game that season. I think it was the year we stayed up with Hughes. All kinds of insults were thrown at him if I remember correctly. Short memories.
I like him but can’t agree that he is a better pundit than Shearer. I think Shearer is more insightful.